In the near past a Billy Donovan-Fred Hoiberg matchup would have been an intriguing Sweet 16 or Elite 8 matchup between the Florida Gators and Iowa State Cyclones. Tonight in Chicago its the OKC Thunder versus the Chicago Bulls pitting two teams in search of their identities in Week 2 of an NBA regular season TNT broadcast.
Both teams coming off losses. Both teams at 3-2 midway in Week 2. Both teams with college head coaches making the transition to the NBA game, and both teams needing a win to stabilize a bit and get back on track.
Chicago comes off an embarrassing 130-105 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats which left little doubt the Tom Thibadeau era ended last season in Chicago. The Bulls have a nice array of players led by Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson, Tony Snell, Aaron Brooks, E’tan Moore, and Doug McDermott. The experiment with Noah coming off the bench is a work in progress.
Chicago was idle last night while OKC was playing its third game in four nights…an eventual 103-98 home loss at the hands of the Toronto Raptors.
Like the Bulls, OKC is still in the process of finding its new identity in the Billy Donovan era while Kevin Durant works his way back after an eight month layoff from injury. Fourth game in five nights for OKC can’t be dismissed. Both teams and both coaches need a win and some momentum heading forward.
Interesting matchup pitting two good teams in an early season game as they both transition to new head coaches and new systems.