Luol Deng - A Realistic All-Star Hope!

So I really wanted to write some sort of piece for this month’s newsletter and I couldn’t figure out what to do. I had the topic picked out and everything, but there was just no good way of representing it. I thought about an Ode, but then realized, “How do I love thee, let me count the ways” may give a different impression than the one intended. I thought about a series of limericks or haikus, but I thought they were a bit simplistic and would cheapen the intent. Finally I thought about a Sonnet and determined that was just too darn difficult and I don’t have the kind of time. So I settled for a campaign speech…without further ado, here it goes!

With the holiday season approaching and the All-Star Game only 2 months away in Las Vegas, it isn’t too early to think about the Bulls having representation outside of the Rookies game this year. When thinking about your candidate, you want someone with athleticism, great play night in and night out and the numbers to back it up. There are a couple deserving Bulls this year, but Lu should really get the nod. His case: As of the writing of this article Luol (in about 35 minutes a game) was averaging 18 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game. He does everything with what looks like very little effort even though you know his tenacity and grit are just as tough as everyone else on the team. He has a great slashing game, can play above the rim and certainly hits the 12-18 footers with ease. In the offense he doesn’t have to shoot many 3’s, but the rumor is that shot is in his repertoire should he ever need it.

The kid is a mere 21 years old and has enough flash and flair to play with anyone in the game. Conversely, most people never hear anything bad about him, because he is one of those guys like LaDanian Tomlinson who just goes about his business and lets him game talk for him. He would be great in an All-Star Uni and I am sure David Stern would like to see him there to help the NBA’s image because we know he won’t be packing heat or anything crazy like that.

His great play and image aside, he is also versatile enough to be a reserve on the All Star team because he can play either shooting guard or small forward. Yahoo’s fantasy leagues certainly allow it, so there is no reason he couldn’t be slotted in either position. Speaking of Yahoo’s fantasy leagues, I happen to own him in the league that we are playing through the show. I am in the middle of the pack right now, but Lou from Cubscast may even be a bigger Disciple of Deng (by the way I am trademarking that!) than me because he offered me Paul Pierce for Luol straight up! Quite obviously I believe enough in Luol’s game this year to turn that down. He has got to go to Vegas! To make my point even stronger, let’s take a look at his competition. I have listed the 12 guys who are his biggest competition. I may have missed someone, so if I did and you can provide an argument that they are better than Lu, please let me know. Everyone else wasn’t good enough to make the list.

Luol Deng is a talent that his not come close to reaching his potential. His ceiling is close to limitless and it is amazing that as of no he has already surpassed so many that have already fulfilled their potential. Let’s get our first All Star since MJ back in 1998!

The competition:

• Lebron James - Umm…I think he will make it and start
• Chris Bosh & Dwight Howard - I think they will both be considered Centers and therefore do not count in this assessment
• Paul Pierce & Vince Carter - The only guys on this list with more points than Lu. The average of their other stats mostly works in Lu’s favor - he has more steals, blocks and fewer turnovers than each. Unfortunately do to their popularity skill and veteran status, they will make it.
• Tayshaun Prince & Rasheed Wallace - The Pistons aren’t as good as they were so they are no longer in the 4 All-Star category and their more likely guys come from the backcourt.
• Al Harrington and Jermaine O’Neal - JO could be considered a Center and Harrington has reached his potential. Neither one is outscoring Lu (and let’s be honest that is the number 1 stat for the All Star game) and the Bulls are the better team
• Antawn Jamison & Caron Butler - Both really nice players that I like a lot, but with their stats being close and Luol leading in most categories and the team being better, there should be no competition
• Richard Jefferson - Should not even be on this list. He has already topped out and Lu is quite obviously past him.
• Andres Nocioni - How could I forget his teammate? The crazy Bull will always be a bridesmaid when it comes to All Star voting. He does way too many little things to got this kind of recognition and Luol puts just as much effort out as Noc and makes it look even easier! (This isn’t a slight to Noc - Love him too, but Lu is better and that is just a fact).