No Regard Presidential Previews: Chicago Bulls (Abraham Lincoln/Andrew Johnson)

Oh the season. Oh the season! Election or NBA, both are upon us. We're getting into the spirit by bringing you our season previews (with a little help from the presidents). One per day for the next 30 days—which will bring us to the Day of Reckoning. So please join us on the campaign trail as we shake hands, kiss babies and sink jumpers.

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure." - Abraham Lincoln

"I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me." - Andrew Johnson

I know it's kind of an insensitive thing to say, but I imagine the feeling of being in Ford's Theater on April 14, 1865, and watching President Abraham Lincoln get shot was not altogether dissimilar to the feeling of watching Derrick Rose go down with a torn ACL in Game 1 of the Bulls playoff series against the Sixers this past April. Obviously, the death of the leader of the free world is far more tragic than an athlete suffering an injury, but the absolute terror of watching the NBA's most exciting point guard writhing on the floor was one of the most jarring experiences of my adult life. No joke.

The man that took over after that fateful evening on the balcony was Andrew Johnson. Not Andrew Jackson, but Andrew Johnson. For someone who was thrown into such an insanely intense situation, you'd think we'd hear more about him. Maybe we don't because of the fact that—especially compared to Lincoln—he was sort of a douchebag royale. Over the course of the four years he was in office, Johnson continued to lean further to the right (did they say that back then?) on the issues of civil rights and holding Confederate leaders accountable. After everything Abe did, his successor went on to veto Congress' Civil Rights Bill, a move that almost got him impeached. Johnson was a complete letdown after the man who brought the country the Emancipation Proclamation.

This season's Bulls may look a lot like Andrew Johnson's presidency, minus all the racism. Last year, until the playoffs, the Bulls were the likeliest candidates to prevent the Heat from steamrolling their way to the Finals. This year, they will be playing the majority of the season, if not the whole thing, without their star point guard and without some of their strong bench players from last year (Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Omer Asik, Kyle Korver). They will likely take a large step backward from the glory days they saw in the not-too distant past.

Or, ya know what, they may just exceed all expectations and show a gutsiness and resolve that would be far more reminiscent of Lincoln. Luol Deng and Joakim Noah will need to play better than they ever have on the offensive end. Carlos Boozer will need to come close to averaging a double-double. Kirk Hinrich will need to remember he's a starting point guard and play like it. And role players like Nate Robinson, Marquis Teague, Taj Gibson and Marco Belinelli will need to provide a spark off the bench that can catch fire like last year's crew's did.

While all of those pieces aligning may sound like a stretch, keep in mind that Tom Thibodeau is still Chicago's coach, and I'm not sure I'd ever vote against one of that man's teams overachieving and making a run for the playoffs. If he can motivate this team to play for their fallen hero, to keep the spirit that he left them with last spring, they have a chance to become one of the best stories in the NBA this year. If that happens, and if Rose can get onto the court by the time the postseason rolls around, this is a team that could pull together at the right time and surprise a lot of people.

Thibodeau can unite his team like Lincoln united his country. Or, terrible circumstances can lead to a serious regression like our nation's most iconic president falling victim to a loony with a gun led to some major setbacks to the policies he fought hard to put forth.

These will be trying times for the Bulls, no doubt. But there is potential for them to make this season their Gettysburg Address, their declaration that they remain strong, united and free.

Rushed Pull-Up Jumpers

Pokemon who the team should adopt as its new mascot: Tauros

Headline we'll be most sick of reading: "Rose Can't Come Back Soon Enough"

Headline we're most looking forward to: "Thibodeau Challenges Spoelstra to Arm Wrestle for Coach of the Year Honors"

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you enter the pearly gates?: "I'll tell ya, Derrick, watching you go down was as bad for me as Lincoln getting shot."

New Regard Daily Previews: Weekend Edition

One Game That We Will Definitely Watch This Weekend: Boston Celtics Vs. Chicago Bulls


If you've been diligently reading my previews as of late, you're probably thinking to yourself, "this guy is a one-trick pony, all he writes about is point guards." If you are thinking that, then you are pretty much dead on. Can you blame me though? Tonight's matchup of Rose and Rondo is going to be epic. Look for these two studs to try and one-up each other all night long. I expect them to be co-mayors of Highlight City.

Don't forget that this is also the return of former Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeou and former Celtics towel-waver Brian Scalabrine to Beantown. (I don't use the F-Bomb too often in my writing by why the FUCK did Doc Rivers put him in during game 7 last year?). Predictions: Boston pulls off a close one, Joakim Noah plays hard, and KG calls Scal a honky. After the game, KG clarifies that he actually meant that he honked his horn at Brian when he saw him walking into the stadium before the game.

One Game That We're, Frankly, Not Watching: Charlotte Bobcats Vs. Detroit Pistons

There are times in life where you just have to be frank. This is one of those times. It sucks watching the Pistons these days. It sucks, hard. Not only is it horrible witnessing a Tracy McGrady that is about 1/100th of the player he once was but the entire squad is hapless. What happened to the Detroit team that won a ring with maybe the most balanced starting five ever? Seems like decades ago.

We don't know what to say, T-Mac. We hate watching you decline. We hate it.

No Regard Daily Recap: 10-27-10

One Game We Watched Last Night: Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. Chicago Bulls

Chicago: 95 Thunder: 106

The night, as predicted, belonged to the stars that shined in Turkey this summer for team USA. Durant, Rose and Westbrook were all brilliant in a game that was fast paced, exciting to watch, and full of high-flying offense. KD and Westbrook's combined 58 points led the Thunder to their first win of the season, but Rose's penetration, finishing around the basket, and silly-precise passing didn't make things easy for OKC's version of Batman and Robin. The avid fan should feel more than satisfied with this game after watching young, humble stars put on a show during prime time. And the casual fan got to witness plenty of play above the rim. Here are a few observations that stood out for me:

No Regard Daily Previews: 10-27-10

Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Chicago Bulls Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

There is a lot on the line for the NBA's new golden boy, Kevin Durant, this season. He's been the recent recipient of some serious praise by fans and experts alike, as many believe that Durant will not only repeat as the NBA's leading scorer, but will also be the league's MVP. After watching his effort this summer, I'm inclined to agree with these arguments. Durant's the real deal Holyfield. And he's got the work ethic and attitude to dominate this year and beyond. I'll be a kid in a candy shop tonight getting my first look at him in an OKC uniform since losing to LA in six last year.