Bulls’ Deng still learning
During his nine seasons in the NBA, Luol Deng always had a designated closer as a teammate, whether it was Ben Gordon, Derrick Rose or Nate Robinson.
Deng was able to settle into a role as an effective two-way player. Being a late-game finisher just never landed on his to-do list — until now.
With Rose sidelined and Robinson in Denver, the Bulls are at a loss for a go-to player in crunchtime. Deng has gotten the call most often, and he admitted after Monday’s triple-overtime loss to New Orleans that he needs to get better.
“I think so far, right now, I haven’t done well,” Deng said in the locker room. “It’s a new experience, but I have to keep working on it and keep working on my game and, every time I’m in a situation like that, try to be smart and make smart plays.”
In some ways, Deng is playing as well as he ever has. In the five games since Rose went down with torn cartilage in his right knee, Deng is averaging 27.4 points, 6.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds, while shooting 55 percent from the field.
He should be a nominee for Eastern Conference player of the week, except for one key detail.
“We haven’t won,” he said. “Individually, I’m shooting the ball great, but it’s (about) finding ways to win. Our offense is running great, but defensively is where we really need to focus.”
It has been strange how things changed since Rose was injured. The offense has perked up, especially from Deng and Taj Gibson, who has averaged 22.3 points and shot 67 percent in the last three games.
But the defense has struggled. Overtimes have skewed the average a bit, but the Bulls have given up 103.4 points in the five games without Rose, while opponents are shooting .464 from the field. Those are strange numbers for a Tom Thibodeau-coached team.
Then again, the Bulls have been in position to win five of the last six games — including Portland after Rose was injured — and the only victory was a 20-point blowout at Detroit last week.
The Bulls had dozens of chances to put away the Pelicans on Monday. Deng scored 37 points and hit some big shots, including a cutting bank off an inbound pass that tied the score with 4.7 seconds left in the second overtime. He also finished with 7 turnovers.
“The situation (with Rose getting hurt), it happened. I can’t control that,” Deng said. “I think either way, whether I’m in that (late-game) situation or not, I work on my game every day. Whether it’s the last shot or the first shot or a shot in the second quarter, I try to make every shot I take.
“It’s definitely a different situation that I haven’t been in. I think I’ll get better with it.”
The Bulls did try some different things in the New Orleans game. Thibodeau went to Joakim Noah late in the third overtime, and he hit a baseline hook shot over Ryan Anderson to tie the score with 4.5 seconds on the clock. Kirk Hinrich and Mike Dunleavy missed some good looks at 3-pointers.
“You have to make the right play,” Thibodeau said. “You ask before the shot, is that the right play? If it is, you can live with that.”
Barring an unexpected recovery, Rose is done for the season. There is help on the way in Jimmy Butler, though it’s not clear when he will be back from a turf-toe injury on his right foot. It would be a surprise to see him back on the floor this week.
Butler might help improve the Bulls’ defense, which could, in theory, create fewer close games.
“When Jimmy comes back, I think we’ll be a better team,” Deng said. “A lot of teams go through (rough) stretches and ours is coming right now early. We have to stick with it and I think we’ll benefit from it in the long run.”
mmcgraw@dailyherald.com