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NBA: 5 Must Watch Games in the First Week of the season

By John Bauman

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket between Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket between Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 7, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) defends in the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) defends in the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Wizards at Miami Heat
7:30 PM ET, October 29, 2014
AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL

Game one of the post-LeBron era in Miami is not an easy one. The Heat host John Wall and the Washington Wizards in each team’s first game of the 2014-15 NBA season. The number one reason this game is a must watch, of course, is to see how the Heat play without their fearless leader, LeBron James, at the helm.

This is Chris Bosh’s team now, so I also want to see how he plays to judge if he will be able to carry this team to 40 or 45 wins in a top-heavy Eastern Conference. We should also see an invigorated Dwyane Wade who wants to prove that he is no scrub and is still worthy of being considered among the top players in the Eastern Conference.

There are also some intriguing narratives on the other bench. John Wall is ready to take the next leap this season from All-Star to true superstar, and Bradley Beal is ready to hop up a few steps of the NBA hierarchy right with him. I also want to see Paul Pierce in a Wizards uniform. That will be hard to process at first, but I could see Pierce hitting two three-pointers in the fourth quarter and silencing the Heat’s fans. Speaking of those fans, how will they respond to a LeBron-less Heat team? Will they still provide that home court atmosphere that the LeBron led teams thrived on the last four seasons?

There are so many reasons to watch this Eastern Conference matchup on Wednesday night.

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