The Chicago Bulls will take the floor for the first time in the 2015-16 preseason against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night in Chicago. Before the game tips off, here’s a couple Bulls notes on the preseason opener.
Well folks, it’s finally here.
For the first time since May 14, the Chicago Bulls will take the floor at United Center. The Bulls open their eight-game slate of preseason match-ups with a meeting against the team they eliminated in the first round during last year’s postseason: the Milwaukee Bucks.
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The Bulls eliminated the Bucks in a hotly-contested six-game series last April, culminating in some physical play and a Bulls blowout in Game 6 of the series. This past offseason has been well-documented for the Bulls, as the front office parted ways with Tom Thibodeau, and hired former Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg.
As for Milwaukee, the young Bucks and their stock continue to rise. Not only will Jason Kidd‘s upstart roster improve throughout this season with the return of Jabari Parker, the Bucks added Greivis Vasquez and Greg Monroe to provide some veteran leadership to a franchise that’s on the cusp of becoming a contender in the Eastern Conference.
The preseason opener for both teams is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT, but before we get to sit back and (somewhat) see how the new-look Bulls will be in 2015-16, here’s a couple notes before Tuesday’s tip-off in Chicago.
Obviously, Derrick Rose (orbital fracture) will not play
Speaking of well-documented stories on the Chicago Bulls, point guard Derrick Rose has had himself quite the offseason. Rose not only with a looming civil court case hovering over his head, he had facial surgery last week to repair an orbital fracture that was suffering during the first practice of the year.
Rose is expected to join the team again later this week.
Hoiberg visited Rose yesterday and reviewed film. Said his eye is swollen shut but is in "great spirits."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 6, 2015
Expect to see plenty of Aaron Brooks, E’Twaun Moore and Jordan Crawford
The point guard injuries don’t stop with Rose. Kirk Hinrich has a lingering toe issue and will not suit up for the Bulls on Tuesday night.
Hinrich participated in shootaround so toe doesn't seem serious. Won't play vs. Bucks.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 6, 2015
The full absentee list for the Bulls on Tuesday (as of now)
- Derrick Rose (orbital fracture)
- Kirk Hinrich (toe)
- Taj Gibson (recovering from offseason ankle surgery)
- Mike Dunleavy (recovering from back surgery)
- Pau Gasol (rest)
(Also, Jabari Parker and Tyler Ennis both will not play for Milwaukee on Tuesday after Parker had ACL surgery last season and Ennis had offseason shoulder surgery.)
Next: Rose will miss preseason time, but is slated for mid-week return this week
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