TNT's coverage of the 2013-2014 NBA season begins tonight with the defending champion Miami Heat hosting the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Arena, in what promises to be an intense matchup fraught with storylines. Live stream the game here; Heat fans can listen to the first game of Miami's title defense on 560 WQAM, while Bulls fans may do the same on ESPN 1000.
While the best player in the NBA will suit up and take the floor for Miami, all eyes will be on Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, making his ballyhooed return from a torn ACL during the 2011 playoffs.
Rose endured much criticism for sitting out the season to heal, but he's not focused on that any longer, and neither is his team. "Our No. 1 goal is winning the title," Rose said. "We're not worried about anything else. We're not worried about what people say about us or what's going on on the outside. We're just worried about the Bulls and how good we get every day."
Meanwhile LeBron James will be on the hunt for an unprecedented fifth MVP award, while the Heat will vie to achieve a three-peat. When asked about possibly winning a third straight title, which hasn't been done since the 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers, James said:
"It would mean everything, man. First of all, it means that I'm doing my part and I'm helping our team get better. It would mean everything to our team. That's what we're here for. We work our tails off every day. If it can pay off with another Finals appearance, we'd represent the Eastern Conference the best way we can."
The scrutiny figures to be hotter than ever, but Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade thinks the team has learned to block out all doubters and critics. "When you put this kind of talent together, there's always people on the outside trying to figure out ways why it shouldn't work," Wade said. "When you're on the inside and can put it together and show them that it can work, it's a great feeling.
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