LeBron James christens new NBA season with tomahawk slam

If it happens next June, it will mark the sixth straight appearance in the finals for LeBron James.

The Cavs made a slow start last season and it is believed the club were considering sacking the Israeli last December. They lost to the Cavs in 2010 and 2015 and to Miami in 2011 and 2013. From LeBron’s own words, “I’m going to lead this team, but I don’t have to carry this team”. James has not missed a season opener in his career and he is expecting to be on the court for this one against the Bulls on Tuesday.

It will not be the first time that James and teammate Kevin Love have performed in front of Obama. The star has participated in games and is wearing a face mask but it remains to be seen if he will take part in their opener.

The Bulls finished third in the conference in 2013-14, eventually losing to the Cavaliers in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

As the Cavs learned last season, the way a team looks in November doesn’t always resemble how it will look in April.

Thibs implored his players to play hard every game, quarter and possession. He frequently left his best players in during a blowout. In short, a repeat of last season. “But you don’t put too much onus on if this will be the team that we’ll be long-term tomorrow”. Plus, no one’s playing more than 32 minutes.

He has a long history with Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman, an assistant under Tim Floyd at Iowa State when Hoiberg played there.

Welcome back to the National Basketball Association season. This can only help them have more energy and be more effective come playoff time. Hopefully with Pete Myers, Randy Brown and Jim Boylen on staff the Bulls will be able to do that. Boylen should not be confused with former assistant and interim head coach Jim Boylen.

The question remains without Tom Thibobeau where will the defense come from? Jimmy Butler and Tony Snell are the only two solid defensive players in the starting lineup. The Cavs also shot 16 more free throws. The Bulls are going to need to get to the line more often against the Cavs this season.

East vs. West: Teams from the East went 187-263 during the regular season against the West, a winning percentage of just 42 percent. And with James not likely to go all out based on his comments, they should be able to get that revenge tonight. James sat out five of Cleveland’s seven exhibition games during this preseason, and the team has discussed reducing his minutes further to keep him fresh for the playoffs – and maybe a run at his third title. “I know that might sound insane, but playing in a (deliberate) system for three or four years kind of got me out of my rhythm”.