The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 107-98Â in a preseason game Monday night, but prior to the matchup, LeBron James wasn’t convinced that his team is superior.
“(The Bulls) are a team that’s much better than us right now just off chemistry,” James told ESPN. “They’ve been together for a while; we’ve got a long way to go.”
A preseason victory over the Bulls probably won’t do much to change James’ opinion.
While Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose begin their sixth season together, Monday marked the first time James started a game alongside new teammates Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.
James is no stranger to adjusting to his surroundings after joining a new team, and he expects the Cavaliers to have some hills to climb as they try to establish chemistry.
“(Adversity) has to happen. I know it is going to happen,” James said, via ESPN.com. “A lot of guys don’t see it, but I see it. That’s the only way we’re going to be able to grow. You don’t define yourself during the good times, you define yourself through the bad times. That’s for the players and the coaching staff, as well.”
Rose’s 30-point performance Monday night strengthens the cause for the Bulls, who desperately need their star point guard to stay healthy so they can get past LeBron and the Cavs in the Eastern Conference.
Photo via Greg Bartram/USA TODAY Sports Images
