With the Miami Heat’s season opener just days away, it is now or never for former Chicago Bull turned Cleveland Cavalier Luol Deng; the Heat take on the Washington Wizards at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Wednesday, October 29 and if preseason is any indication of how much head coach Erik Spoelstra will be counting on Deng, he better be ready. Having lost LeBron James, this season more than ever, Miami has a lot to prove.
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It is a well-known fact that the Bulls have a certain way about them, primarily when it comes to defense. Chicago’s curriculum calls for strategy and a killer-instinct based on practice and repetition, over everything else. And while this has always been the case, no one seems to have implemented things quite like current head coach Tom Thibodeau. However, “Miami Heat Basketball” calls for a different set of rules, one that Deng is still adjusting to.
"“I’m not there. I’m close,” Deng told Shandel Richardson of the Sun-Senteniel. “I’m still trying to figure it out. Other guys are in the same boat. Obviously, it’s hard if you haven’t been here but I think the cure is just to play hard. It will come. We see the potential. It’s going to be special. It’s going to be exciting.”"
After nine years in Chicago, it is probably a little more than “hard” to adjust to a new way of playing the game. Miami’s defense is built on player-to-player trust, and internal intuition, neither of which is something Deng is accustomed to.
"“It’s built a lot on trust, just trust in each other and knowing that you do one thing, the other person has your back,” Deng told the Miami Herald after practice. “Being in Chicago so long, we kind of stayed in our corners and pushed the ball to our bigs, but this one is perimeter guys have to really be on a string together. As the ball moves, you might have a different guy, you just have know where you’re ending up and where you’re going to be.”"
And speaking of trust, no one is doubting that Deng is up to the challenge.
Having been put to the test during these last few weeks, Deng is doing everything he can to soak up what is needed of him. He is reportedly the last one to leave the gym after practice, and has spent a great deal of time around Spoelstra, the other Heat coaches and president Pat Riley.
"“He’s trying to learn it because he doesn’t like to be a guy who makes any mistakes or not be in a position he needs to be in,” commented teammate Dwyane Wade."
And Chris Bosh had his own praises to sing.
"“Deng, you know, he’s a hard player, one of the best cutters in the league. He makes the game a lot easier for a lot of guys just based off of his length, his talent. Once he learns what we’re looking for on offense, the rotations on defense, getting that four position down a lot more, he’s going to be a big help for us.”"
Preseason may have had it’s fair share of inconsistencies for Deng, averaging 10.2 points but shooting 45 percent from the field, however his confidence is not rattled, even after a game during which he only scored 4 points.
"“By Wednesday [the 29], you should have enough. Like even now, I’m more comfortable now than I was on the first day [of preseason]. Even games like [Tuesday] night where you shoot 2 for 7 and score four points, there’s so much that look at the game that I’ve learned from.”"
While it still may take some time for Miami’s rotation to stabilize, one thing they do not have to worry about is Deng understanding the changes that need to be made. With a high basketball IQ, admirable work ethic and a drive to win, Deng was a great pickup for the Heat and I for one cannot wait to see him officially in action this upcoming week. Get ready folks, that time of year is here again; put together your fantasy teams, whip out your favorite jerseys, and set up your television reminders!