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The starting lineup for the Bulls this season didn't trouble Thibodeau in the least because Wang Chong had already given him the answer.The starting five were Billups, James Jones, Wang Chong, Garnett, and Gasol.
Wang Chong's decision to start a rookie like Marc Gasol puzzled Thibodeau. Furthermore, James Jones wasn't exactly a standout player—he averaged just 6.4 points per game with a 36.8% shooting rate last season as a reserve for the Suns.
However, after reviewing the Bulls' current roster, Thibodeau realized that these two were indeed the most suitable starters. Both were handpicked by Wang Chong himself. Jones brought significant playoff experience from his time with the Suns, and though Gasol was a rookie entering the league, he had already spent several years playing in the EuroLeague.
Within just a few days of training, Thibodeau was surprised to discover that these two weren't as underwhelming as he had initially thought.
James Jones proved to be an excellent three-point shooter, even more accurate than Billups. As a spot-up shooter, he posed a significant threat on the court. His off-ball movement and instincts were impressive, and though his defensive ability wasn't outstanding, his height—6'8"—made him effective enough as a shooting guard to disrupt opponents.
Jones might struggle against elite guards like Iverson or Wade, but Thibodeau wasn't worried. The Bulls had some of the league's best defensive players to provide backup.
Any opponent trying to drive to the basket had to get past Garnett first. And that wasn't easy.
Garnett, an All-Defensive Team selection for eight consecutive years and a six-time All-NBA Team member, was one of the league's premier defenders. His defensive ability rivaled even Ben Wallace, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Garnett's defensive accolades might not have matched Wallace's simply because he carried a dual burden: not only anchoring the defense but also leading the team offensively. Over the past few seasons, Garnett had averaged over 22 points and 5 assists per game, second only to Nowitzki among power forwards.
Balancing such heavy offensive responsibilities naturally limited his defensive output compared to Wallace. However, during the 2007-08 season with the Celtics, when Garnett focused more on defense, his contributions rivaled Wallace's best seasons as a DPOY.
Critics often mocked Garnett for his bravado and trash-talking. Still, during his later years with the Celtics, his defensive contributions solidified him as one of the league's most reliable interior defenders.
With Garnett anchoring the Bulls' defense, the team didn't need exceptional defensive efforts from every position. And yet, the Bulls' defensive lineup was solid across the board.
Billups and Wang Chong had both been named to the All-Defensive Team and were among the league's top defenders.
James Jones's defense was average, but at 6'8", he was competent on the perimeter, ranking in the upper-middle tier for shooting guard defense.
What truly shocked Thibodeau was the rookie Marc Gasol.
Initially, Thibodeau wasn't optimistic about the "chubby kid." Gasol was overweight, slow, and lacked physicality. Could a player like that adapt to the NBA's intensity?
Thibodeau underestimated Gasol's potential. Little did he know that over a decade later, this same "chubby kid" would dominate the league, winning two MVPs and leading his team to an NBA championship.
In many ways, Gasol was a precursor to Nikola Jokic—a player with a similar style. Jokic was essentially an upgraded version of Gasol, boasting superior scoring, ball-handling, and playmaking abilities. However, Gasol's defensive edge stood out.
During Bulls training sessions, Gasol showcased strong offensive and rebounding skills. While his defense was hindered by his lack of speed, his nearly 250-pound frame made him effective in protecting the basket.
Thibodeau even concluded that Gasol was more than capable of being the Bulls' starting center and performing admirably.
"Is this Wang Chong's unique vision?" Thibodeau wondered.
As training continued, Thibodeau's admiration for Wang Chong only grew.
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October Arrives
The 2007-08 NBA preseason officially began.
The Bulls played their first preseason game on October 10 in Milwaukee against the Bucks.
For many fans, this game marked the first "Chinese derby" of the new season. The Bucks featured Yi Jianlian, who had just joined the NBA and wore the No. 9 jersey. Fans eagerly awaited Yi's debut, even though it was just a preseason game.
The Bulls, who had won 69 games last season, faced the Bucks, who had the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The outcome seemed a foregone conclusion, especially since this was only a preseason game.
The Bulls' Big Three—Wang Chong, Garnett, and Billups—played less than 15 minutes each, simply giving the fans a brief glimpse of their star power. The rest of the game featured players like Gasol, Ramon Sessions, James Jones, and Paul Millsap.
Despite limited minutes for the stars, the Bulls secured a 107-99 win, kicking off their preseason with a victory.
The Bulls' dominance continued throughout the preseason. They defeated teams like the Wizards, Raptors, and Pacers, finishing with a perfect 8-0 record.
Although preseason records are rarely taken seriously, the Bulls' dominance made waves.
"Wang Chong and the Bulls are clearly gearing up for a championship run this season. The question is, can the defending champion Spurs hold their ground?"
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Regular Season Opener
The regular season opened on October 31, with the Bulls facing their Finals rivals from the previous season—the San Antonio Spurs.
The NBA scheduled this rematch to maximize viewership, knowing fans loved to relive high-stakes clashes.
In their season schedule, the Bulls were slated to face the Spurs in their opener and meet Cleveland's new Big Three (LeBron James, Ray Allen, and Ben Wallace) on Christmas Day.
After an undefeated preseason, the Bulls claimed the top spot in ESPN's power rankings.
1. Chicago Bulls
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. San Antonio Spurs
While the Spurs ranked fourth, no one underestimated them. The Bulls' road opener against the defending champions promised to be a nail-biter.
In the visitor's locker room, Coach Thibodeau ran through the game plan, visibly nervous. After all, this was his first game as a head coach, and his opponents were none other than the Spurs.
In contrast, Wang Chong exuded calm confidence, while Garnett casually remarked, "Watch me dominate Tim!"
Although Duncan's career accolades dwarfed Garnett's, their individual matchups were more evenly matched. Over 52 career games, Duncan averaged 19.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Garnett averaged 19.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.
The two stars often neutralized each other, leaving their teams' supporting casts to decide the outcome.
With Garnett matching Duncan, the Bulls had an edge: Wang Chong. Paired with a star like Garnett, Wang Chong was poised to take the league by storm.
End of this chapter
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