Lu Who?

Luol Deng, that's who.

A healthy Deng has the ability to be our best offensive player and can create opportunities for his teammates. This guy can be the key to our season.

If you read much of anything about Deng in the media it looks like a medical record: swollen ankle, likely out for year, slowly progressing, breaks tibia, etc. The man just can't catch a break and it's unfortunate because he's catching a lot of heat from fans.

Let's look at him as if he's fully healthy and ready for a break out year. Most would be happy with a 19ppg and 9 rebs. kind of season. Takes on a major role in the offense, can be another lengthy defender on the perimeter, and leads the team into the playoffs.

Deng isn't a jump and run kind of athlete, he is more of a coordinated big man. He's long at 6'9" and can move past men of similar stature. When he drives you notice it's one direction and go, there are no sudden changes, which is usually fine. That is just the kind of player he is, he's no Josh Smith athletically, but enough to get the job done. The biggest knock on Luol is his jumper and how he relies it so heavily. He has the size to get in the post and create problems because of his size. His jumper is great, he's a fantastic jump shooter, but when it's not falling, it's a problem. The Bulls don't need another mid-range shooter, but rather a player who can create on his own. Think of the other scoring options on the team: Derrick Rose is a pure slasher, Salmons is more of a outside shooter, same goes for Hinrich. Miller is a mid range big man, while Tyrus and Noah are putback players for now. Deng can make a huge difference as far how opposing teams choose to guard the Bulls.

Our plea from Chicago is to be aggressive Lu, put the ball on the deck and get fouled. Learn a counter move when option A is gone. Be a leader.

Pre-Season Game 1

Bulls 104, Pacers 95

I'll admit I didn't even know there was a preseason game on yesterday. Oops, however I maintain that pre-season is more useful for the players than the fans, as we don't get a full grasp of the team.

Just a glimpse over the box, looks like everyone did fairly well. By all accounts our defense was there. Rose played over 30 minutes, dropped in 17 with 8 for 13 shooting. He has the ability, and the specific kind of game to have these outstanding shooting percentages because he gets in the lane--like a Rajon Rondo. However, Thomas and Noah had a combined 4-14 night. Big men can't be shooting worse than our backcourt, no one wins that way.

Bunch of players didn't play either just resting, minor injuries, or Vinny didn't feel it necessary to involve someone like Curtis Stinson. Did anyone else know he was even on the roster? Used to play for Iowa State when he was like 25, dude is old.

I'll be sure to catch the next game for sure, it's got to be better than Sox baseball.