The New Orleans Pelicans’ schedule has not officially been released, but there are already leaks coming out about when they will play Lonzo Ball and the Chicago Bulls.
Every season teams have a few games fans will circle on their calendars, and it appears you’ll want to keep a date open in late October:
I’m also hearing the Bulls’ home opener will be against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Oct. 22. https://t.co/dGED0LTmVh
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) August 19, 2021
According toe Darnell Mayberry, beat writer for the Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans will be on the road for the Bulls’ home opener, which should be an electric atmosphere.
The Bulls added both Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan this offseason, so their fans will be excited and ready to watch them do battle with Zion Williamson in their first home game.
Lonzo Ball will certainly be excited, as this will be his first chance against his former team and I am sure he is dying to show David Griffin and the Pels that they made a big mistake by letting him walk.
Devonte’ Graham wants to prove the opposite, that he is a better fit in NOLA than Lonzo and can help take the Pels to another level.
But let’s face it, this is mostly about the fans.
New Orleans Pelicans: The fans are more interested in a rivalry with Lonzo Ball than the players
By all accounts Lonzo Ball was a good teammate and friends with most of the guys on the team, especially Zion Williamson.
I am sure it will be somewhat bittersweet to play his old teammates, as many thought the trio of Zion, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball was going to be the core of the team.
It didn’t work out, but I don’t think either side holds grudges. Lonzo got his payday and on a team that could better suit his strengths and the Pelicans were able to get both Graham and Josh Hart for nearly the same cost.
The players might not care much, but judging by how much Bulls, Pelicans and Lonzo fans have been arguing on Twitter, this one will be mostly about them.
I am certain the Lonzo Stans will be back to remind the Pelicans how dumb they are every time he has a good game, and will fall strangely silent when he doesn’t.
Pels’ fans want to believe that Chicago overpaid, and Bulls’ fans want to believe they got a great bargain in Lonzo Ball, so both will be trying to argue their cases.
I expect the trolling to be unbearable for this game, especially if Lonzo Ball goes off against his former team or the Bulls get the win.
I wish Lonzo Ball well in his new endeavor with the Bulls, but on October 22nd, a new rivalry will be born and it should be fun (sort of).