Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks: Game Outlook

Is there something important going on in Chicago on Friday? The Cubs’ World Series victory parade? No, that’s not it. How about Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah’s return to the United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls?

For the first time since the trade that shook Chicago to its core, Derrick Rose will return to his hometown with a new team to take on the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

Rose, along with his always-beloved-in-Chicago partner Joakim Noah, will both play at the United for the first time since Rose was traded (and Noah signed with) to the New York Knicks.

Friday night is going to bring an electric atmosphere. Not since the days of Jordan, Pippen and Rodman have players like Rose and Noah been so beloved by (most) of the Chicago Bulls fan base.

It also helps that this game — which used to be one of the league’s marquee rivalries — will be on national television. (The third of 25 national television appearances for the Bulls this season.)

For this breakdown, we’ll take a long at the teams heading into Friday’s matchup, projected starting lineups, and of course, we’ll glance at Rose and Noah before their return to the Windy City.