Tom Thibodeau did not invent ubuntu. That was Doc Rivers’ creation. But the transformation of those world champion Celtics in 2008 came on the defensive end with Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau was the architect of a team that made the incredible transformation to defensive juggernaut that won the NBA championship behind the ubuntu “together” cry.
Thibodeau waited for the right opportunity to become a head coach and in his first year as head man, he turned the Bulls into a top defensive team in the league (yes, even with Carlos Boozer) and made the Bulls the top team in the Eastern Conference, at least for the regular season. Derrick Rose became an MVP candidate.
Luol Deng has been through a lot in his time with the Bulls. He played for Scott Skiles and he played for Vinny Del Negro. It was all mediocrity and an expectation of defense, but not always the execution of it. Even the early years with Derrick Rose, the team did not quite have its identity established.
Deng has always been a talented scorer and solid defender, but not quite the star Chicago wanted him to be. Playing alongside Derrick Rose and with Tom Thibodeau as his coach, Deng has found a strong level of consistency and comfort with the Bulls. It has made Chicago a much better team with much bigger expectations.
“The thing with me is I kept my mouth shut the whole time but I battled some injuries, I battled some serious injuries that would have set a lot of people back,” Deng told Jason Goff and Matt Bowen of WSCR in Chicago (h/t Sports Radio Interviews). “I had to fight to get back to the level I was in before those injuries occurred. Being a professional I always just listened and kinda you know did my thing.
“The best thing that really happened for me was Coach Thibs coming over here. His style of play and the way we play really fits me. It fits who I am and now I can just go out and play basketball. I don’t have to worry so much about one thing. I just try to play as hard as I can and at the end of the day if that brings us a win that’s really how I’m taking every game. I just go out there, we all do as a team, we just go out there and play hard.”
Deng has been strong this season, averaging 17.0 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. the Bulls have been strong too going 4-1 entering Tuesday’s game. And that one loss was actually a disappointment even though Chicago started with a West Coast road trip.
Deng is the kind of versatile player that championship-caliber teams need. He is probably best suited as a third offensive option, but can be a strong scorer and a great defender. Things the Bulls need to support Derrick Rose. That is the key for the Bulls as always.
The expectation in Chicago has grown to the level of winning a championship. Yes, one loss is enough to upset this team right now. That is where the expectation level is.
Deng is playing at a high level and has found his home in Thibodeau’s offense and defense. There is still a lot of work for the Bulls to do to get where they want at the end of the season. Deng’s play will definitely help determine where Chicago ultimately ends up.
After a career of fighting injuries and being sort of in the shadows, Deng has found his home in Thibodeau’s system.
