Six games you won’t want to miss
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Posted August 3, 2007 | By Adam Fluck
With the release of the Bulls’ 42nd regular season schedule on Thursday, die-hard fans now have a better idea of what the months of November through April will be like… at least from a professional basketball perspective.
From the home opener versus the 76ers on Nov. 2 to the finale on April 16 against the Raptors, the 2007.08 campaign promises to be another long, grueling challenge that Chicago hopes will result in another trip to the postseason.
After reaching the second round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the organization’s sixth title, all eyes will be on the Bulls again to see what transpires. Below, Bulls.com highlights one home game each month that you won’t want to miss.
Tickets for every Chicago Bulls home game will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6 at the United Center Box Office, Ticketmaster locations, online at Bulls.com, or by calling 1.800.4NBA.TIX. For season tickets, 11-Game Plans or groups, call 312.455.4000 and ask for a Ticket Representative.
Chauncey Billups
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Will they meet again?
Yes—three more times in the regular season. But what’s really on fans’ minds is the last time these two teams took the court together, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Detroit easily took the first two games of the series and following a 3-0 start, the Bulls were written off by many. But a valiant effort by Chicago and a couple convincing wins later, and the hot-shooting Bulls nearly forced a Game 7. The Pistons’ core will be back; Big Ben and his teammates will be ready for them.
Kevin Garnett(Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images) |
Is the Big Ticket worth the price of admission?
Just over a month into the season, it will be interesting to see how the additions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have worked out for the Celtics. An often underrated factor in teams’ success in the league is chemistry and in Boston’s case, staying healthy will also be a major priority. If the trio of Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce can provide big minutes on a consistent basis and mesh together sooner than later, the Celtics could go from the Eastern Conference’s basement to the penthouse in just a few month’s time.
Greg Oden(Sam Forencich/NBAE/Getty Images) |
Was Greg Oden the right choice at No. 1?
Big men tend to take some time to develop in the NBA—just ask Jermaine O’Neal or Dwight Howard. While Oden is expected to play substantial minutes this season and show flashes of brilliance, what fans at the United Center see when the Blazers visit will only be a small foretaste of many years to come. In other words, let’s be thankful he’s in the Western Conference, along with the draft’s second pick, Seattle’s Kevin Durant. Take advantage of the opportunity to see both of these players as it will only come once a year. (Editor's note: An exploratory arthroscopic surgery performed on Greg Oden Sept. 13 revealed cartilage damage to the rookie’s right knee. Oden will likely miss the 2007.08 NBA season.)
Dwyane Wade
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How will the Heat hold up?
Although Miami finished first in the Southeast Division last year with a record of 44-38, injuries plagued the then-defending champs for much of the season. Dwyane Wade played in only 51 regular season games and wasn’t always at full strength when he did take the court, while Shaquille O’Neal, now 35 years old, was only able to go 40 times throughout the year. How these two players, in addition to other veterans on the roster, including Antoine Walker and Alonzo Mourning, hold up over the 82-game grind could either push Miami back into the role of a contender or move them a step closer to mediocrity.
Bowen, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili(Nathaniel S. Butler NBAE/Getty Images) |
Are the Spurs really a dynasty?
It’s impossible to deny the facts—four titles since 1999 with arguably the game’s best power forward of all-time in Tim Duncan leading the way. A fifth championship would virtually seal the deal on the dynasty label, and with Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili back in the fold once again, it’s a distinct possibility. The Bulls and Spurs have split the season series the last two years. At this point in the season, we’ll know a great deal about the direction of both teams and this game could provide a nice measuring stick to see where each squad stands.
LeBron James
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What are Chicago’s postseason chances?
The Bulls and Cavaliers will meet four times in the season’s final two months. This particular game is the fourth to last game for Chicago, thus it could have serious playoff implications. Both teams vied for the East’s second overall seed last year and it was LeBron James and Cleveland who secured the spot and ultimately ended up in the NBA Finals. Given the wide-open nature of the conference this season, a similar scenario could very well play out again this year. It’s a long season and all 82 games count, but this one could carry some extra significance as the Bulls prepare for their fourth straight trip to the postseason.









Chauncey Billups
Kevin Garnett
Greg Oden
Dwyane Wade
Bowen, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili
LeBron James


