Bulls Beat Lebron, Cavs; Send Message to NBA

If there was one way for Jimmy Butler, Dwayne Wade and the Chicago Bulls to send a message to the rest of the league, at least at this point in the early-going, I think it's fair to say that it was from what they played on Friday night -- when they defeated the defending NBA Champs, 111-105 inside the United Center in Chicago -- on national television, no-less.

Butler, who has been one of the best in the game so far in 2016, scored 26 points and added eight rebounds and six assists on the night, while Flash, who made his debut inside this heated-rivalry in his hometown, added 24 points himself while grabbing five boards and four helpers as well.

The X-factor in this impressive, message-sending win though? That belonged to the likes of both Taj Gibson, as well as Rajon Rondo. Gibson was a monster from the opening tip, and was a huge part of why the team was trailing by one at the half. The 6'9 big-man scored 23 points and added 11 rebounds in the contest, while Rondo racked up a triple-double as he ran the show flawlessly most of the night. He scored 15 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out 12 dimes. It was the veteran's first triple-double of the season, but it was the 29th of his career.

The Bulls, who improved to 11-7 on the season and currently sitting in the third spot in the East, also got some key contributions from the likes of some of their key role players. Niko knocked down a key three late in the contest and several key rebounds, while Isaiah Canaan added a few big buckets down the stretch too. In a key stretch of the early-season schedule, without two important bench pieces in Michael Carter-Williams and Doug McDermott, this game was even more evidence of why this team will be a dangerous out for anybody when it comes down to it.

Sure, while this win may not mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, and is nothing more than a 'regular season contest in early December', this was certainly a clear indicator that this team is pretty damn good. Not only did they beat Cleveland in a game without a few key contributors, but they also handed Lebron, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers their third straight loss, which hasn't happened in almost exactly one calendar year. As long as the Bulls can continue to build off of this win, and the veterans continue to mesh as well as they have early on for the most part, the message has been sent: this Bulls team is here to play -- and not only that, but they're also here to win!