Bulls coach Thibodeau on LeBron James: 'He stays true to himself'

As the Eastern Conference's prohibitive front-runners - the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers - prepared to square off for the first time since LeBron James' triumphant homecoming, the two sides softened the sense of a potential budding rivalry by lobbing compliments each other's way. 

James got the ball rolling by anointing the Bulls the superior team, despite the Cavs' near-unanimous designation as 2014-15 championship favorites.  

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau returned the flattery, praising James' character, thick skin, and fearless decision to return to Cleveland after seemingly burning that bridge. 

From Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group: 

"The one thing about LeBron is he stays true to himself," Thibodeau said prior to the Cavaliers-Bulls preseason game at the Ohio State University's Value City Arena in Columbus. "I don't think he gets wrapped up in criticism or praise. He does what he thinks is right. He made a bold decision to leave and he made a bold decision to come back, but ultimately he did what he felt was best for him and his family.

"I've got great respect for him as a competitor."

During James' four-year tenure in Miami, Thibodeau's Bulls lost to the Heat twice in the playoffs - in the 2011 conference finals and 2013 conference semis.