Miami Heat Season in Review: Newcomer Luol Deng
After having spent the better part of nine years with the Chicago Bulls, forward Luol Deng made his way to South Beach this past summer, and became a new member of the Miami Heat. Ironically, Deng was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in January of last year, only to be sought out by Pat Riley and the rest of the organization once LeBron James announced his decision to return home. And although Deng may test out free agency this summer, he has expressed his desire to remain with the team.
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This year, Deng played 72 games and averaged 14 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He started in all 72 matchups and averaged 33.6 minutes of play.
With James out of the picture and Chris Bosh sidelined by health problems, Deng became a valuable asset for the Heat. Let us take a closer look at what he did right this season, and what the future could hold for him, if he returns.
What Went Right
Looking past just the numbers for a second, Deng is a no-frills kind of player; what you see is what you get. He is not flashy on court, nor does he crave attention off of it. He gives his all, day in and day out, and earns the respect he is given. He is the type of guy that is easy to get along with, is not afraid to admit his shortcomings, and has a good head on his shoulders.
The reason this is so important to point out is that for the last few years, Miami has been at the center of a media circus. Although this stems from the Big Three coming together, it also has to do with the type of characters found on the team. From Heat vertans scapegoat Mario Chalmers and controversial Chris “Birdman” Andersen, to newbies like hotheaded Hassan Whiteside and third-chance Michael Beasley, this squad is packed with more than just raw talent. Along with pick and rolls, blocked shots and three-point shooting comes a cast full of personality. And although that is what gets people so invested in Heat Nation, there is something to be said for a stable force among a whirlwind. Throughout the turbulent season, Deng remained cool, calm and collected, and never showed signs of defeat.
Aside from that, Deng certainly helped out offensively. Despite admitting that it took him a while to adjust to a new rotation, once he got going, he fit into head coach Erik Spoelstra’s system quite nicely. Recall this 30-point game, for instance:
Deng shot .469 percent from the field this year (his third highest shooting percentage on his career), and .355 percent from beyond-the-arc.
What Went Wrong
As previously mentioned, it took a while for Deng to find his groove with the Heat. Having been with the same team for almost his entire time in the NBA, it was a challenge to start trusting new players and fall under a new system of coaching. There was seemingly also a great deal of pressure for him to fill the void left behind by James, which probably did not help things.
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Additionally, Deng faced issues with his knee towards the end of the season.
Best Game
Deng’s 30-point game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 9 was his best of the year. He shot 13-of-19, and 4-of-9 from the 3-point line. He also tallied five rebounds and four assists, helping teammate Dwyane Wade record a double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds).
Where He Can Improve
Hopefully moving forward, Deng will find his rhythm earlier in the season.
He could also try to be a little more aggressive defensively, as he stands at 6-foot-9. Overlooking his brief stint in Cleveland, Deng rebounded fewer balls this year with the Heat than ever before in his NBA career. This is not only surprising given his size, but also having played under the leadership of Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau for so long, who is known for his defensive prowess.
Looking Ahead
The first order of business with Deng is whether or not he will re-sign with Miami. Last summer, he was given a two-year, $20 million contract with a player option after the first year.
Deng will also be playing in the league’s first exhibition game in South Africa this summer, where he will be serving as captain for Team Africa.