Game Night From Charlotte
Bulls at Hornets 6PM CT.
TV: NBCSC : Neil Funk and Stacey King.
RADIO: Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington and David Schuster 5:45 CT pre.
PREVIEW: It's game one of the 2019-20 season and I am extremely excited and hopeful as the Bulls open up against the Hornets in the first of four of five on the road.
The Bulls have built a solid foundation led by Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. The acquisitions of starting guard Tomas Satoransky and forward Thaddeus Young will only enhance the Bulls makeup of a team that is versatile and one that can play different ways. First round pick Coby White returns to Carolina as an NBA player after a terrific freshman season playing for Roy Williams in Chapel Hill. White had an outstanding preseason as he primarily played the two guard displaying his ability to score.
I'm totally optimistic about the season. No predictions on wins but if the Bulls stay healthy and LaVine and Markkanen take their games to the next level I'm anticipating meaningful games in April.
The Bulls averaged 39 three point field goal attempts in preseason..will that trend continue? Stay tuned.
The Bulls signed Max Strus to a two-way contract. Strus played at DePaul and can flat out shoot. Excellent pick up by the Bulls.
The Hornets are in a major rebuild. Kemba Walker is in Boston. Jeremy Lamb is in Indiana. Nic Batum is still hanging around, for how long is anyone's guess. Terry Rozier will be counted on to fill it up and he'll have the ball in his hands the majority of the time. PJ Washington is a good looking young player. He plays defense, can score and makes the right basketball play. He's a keeper. Malik Monk will have every opportunity to show what he can do as he enters year three. Miles Bridges is coming off a nice rookie campaign and is a building block for the future.
24 SECONDS NBA NEWS AND NOTES.
Los Angeles Clippers 112, Los Angeles Lakers 102: Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points. Anthony Davis and LeBron James combined for 43 points. The Clippers bench came through.
Toronto 130, New Orleans 122 OT: Pascal Siakam and Fred Van Vleet (Rockford) each scored 34 points on ring night in Toronto. Van Vleet should not be considered an underrated player. He has arrived. The Pelicans without number one overall pick Zion Williamson played hard but until he gets back its going to be a struggle.
Blake Griffin will be re-evaluated in early November as he is recovering from hamstring and knee issues. The Pistons meet the Bulls in Chicago on November 1.
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr says he hasn't officially ruled out Klay Thompson for the entire season. Thompson is recovering from off season ACL surgery.
Dwyane Wade has joined TNT and will serve the network in a variety of roles.
Thanks for reading CCI. Reach out: cswirsky@bulls.com or Twitter @ctsbulls
Always a pleasure.