Last time we saw
Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor, he was a 19-year old rookie tempted by
nightclubs and speedometers that showed him doing 100-mph or more. Yesterday in a loss to the Bulls, Okafor was
a second-year player still trying to establish himself as a dominant force in
the league. If he can stay alive, he may
do that yet.
Last year, the
Bulls were a .500 team struggling with an unhappy Derrick Rose and Joakim
Noah. Rose is a star-crossed human being
who’s athletic career is always going to be more unhappy than not. Noah is a wonderful ballplayer who last year
found himself on the wrong side of 30.
He knew it, the Bulls knew it and rookie coach Fred Hoiberg knew it (but
not how to handle it). Team chemistry
was non-existent.
Rose and Noah
are with the Knicks now, and the Bulls have turned over half their roster. The team just finished a two-week road trip
where they went 4-2 to put their season record at 10-6. It’s early, and you don’t want to get too
excited because the White Sox started their season at 23-10. Still, it gives me hope that I can watch some
basketball this winter and not have to feel like I’m going to the dentist.
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