Two Chicago-bred NBA All-Stars playing for opposing teams will meet face to face on the hardwood next season for a showdown in their hometown.
Derrick Rose and the New York Knicks visit the United Center in Chicago to take on Dwyane Wade and the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 4.
This highly anticipated fall matchup will be Rose’s first appearance at the United Center since being traded from the Bulls to the Knicks back in June. Rose was drafted by his hometown team in 2008; he called the United Center home court for eight seasons. During his 2016-17 campaign, however, games played in his beloved “Windy City” will be away games for him.
Rose’s return to the city that raised him will also mark the first time he plays against Wade while the latter wears a Bulls uniform. Wade was drafted in 2003 by the Miami Heat; he called American Airlines Arena in South Beach home court for 13 seasons. In what many would say was a surprising turn of events, Wade left the Heat during the offseason to sign with his hometown team; he and the Bulls agreed on a two-year, $47 million contract back in July.
Rose's offseason comments concerning the confidence he has in his team and the expectations he has for the Knicks next season should add to the excitement of the big game. It remains to be seen whether Rose’s return trip home will be met with cheers or boos from the emotional crowd. The environment in the building is expected to be as intense in the stands as it is on the court.
The November face-off between the 2006 NBA Finals MVP and the 2011 NBA MVP will take place just six days before the former makes his own anticipated return home. Wade and the Bulls visit American Airlines Arena on Nov. 10 to take on the Miami Heat. It will be Wade’s first game down in South Beach since he headed north to his native Chicago.
This fall will give NBA fans the opportunity to watch two of Chicago’s very own battle each other back and forth on the basketball court. One is still playing at a high level during the latter stages of his Hall-of-Fame-worthy professional career while the other is expected to have a revitalizing comeback season. Both players might very well be past their primes, but this game is still a big reason for fans to have Nov. 4 circled on the calendar.
The 2016-17 NBA regular season cannot come soon enough. Rose versus Wade is one reason why. The two players have, of course, battled each other in the past. However, next season marks their homecomings; Wade playing for the Bulls and Rose playing against them on the floor he once called home.
