Chicago Bulls: Preseason game 1, starting lineup and more

After a long six months off, Chicago Bulls basketball is finally back in action tonight as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans.

Heading into the 2017-2018 NBA season there is little hope for the Chicago Bulls to win much of anything. Practically everyone has written them off. The sad thing? The front office admitted to a rebuilding period by trading Jimmy Butler on draft night for Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn, and the 7th overall pick, which later became Lauri Markkanen. Rajon Rondo left the team in the offseason for the Pelicans, so it will be interesting to face the former Bull. Just last week, the Bulls continued to gut this once promising roster, when they agreed to a buyout with hometown favorite Dwayne Wade. He would later sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Before we get into this, let’s remember that this is in fact preseason. None of this means anything, the players starting this first game will likely not be starting the first regular season game. But who knows, the Bulls have done crazier things before so it would come to the shock of nobody.

This lineup is baffling. I understand it is preseason, but Kris Dunn not starting is ludicrous. Given the fact that the rest of the lineup has 3 potential starters for opening day in Zipser, Portis, and Lopez, Kris Dunn should be out there to build chemistry.

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The New Orleans Pelicans will likely be trotting out a lineup consisting of previously mentioned Rondo, Jrue Holiday, Dante Cunningham, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. Outside of the two big men, there is an interesting story line that appears to be taking shape. Justin and Jrue Holiday will be starting against each other. They have played against each other before, but this will be the first time they start facing off.

The Chicago Bulls would be wise to play some of the young guys who may not make the roster, such as Diamond Stone, who the team just signed, and Cameron Payne. So far in Payne’s career he has not shown anything to prove that he belongs on an NBA roster, outside of his amazing dance moves. Maybe he finds that passion again with the Bulls? Who knows. Diamond Stone is my dark horse to make the roster. Coming out Maryland, much was expected of Stone, but he ended on the wrong roster and got buried in the depth chart. With not many big men ahead of him on the Bulls, he could make it as the third center.

Remember folks, this is preseason, and none of this matters. Unless the Bulls get beat by 30 plus, then we have to be worried about what the regular season will be like. If I had to make a guess who would be the leading scorer for tonights game, the choice would be Paul Zipser. Don’t forget to tune in tonight at 7 P.M.