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Deng coveted by Heat for a long time

Bringing Luol Deng to Miami was a quest 10 years in the making, according to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

"We never looked at it like (Deng was replacing LeBron James). We looked at it more of a player we tried to get for 10 years, knowing that we would never have a chance to get him," Spoelstra said before Sunday's game.

"The DNA and the fabric of what he brings to the table we thought would fit with our culture and with our organization, and he's been every bit a part of what we anticipated."

Spoelstra said he and Pat Riley flew to Chicago to meet with Deng early last July but ended up staying longer than planned.

"So we were really just going to meet for 45 minutes and get on to Miami. But we met for 2½ hours, the meeting went that well. We just liked him. He respected what we've done with our culture and our organization. We thought it would be a great fit, and that's what it's been so far."

Deng eventually signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Heat. Heading into Sunday's action, he was averaging 14.3 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Deng backs Thibs:

It's not exactly a legitimate storyline, but Luol Deng had a strong response when someone mentioned the report about Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau being on the hot seat.

"To me, it's crazy. It's stupid," Deng said before the game. "I just think he's one of the best coaches in the league. I really think if you get rid of someone like that, it's going to be a lot of rebuilding coming afterward.

"He just does such a good job in terms of structure and keeping everything tight. You see guys coming in here, an example is how great Pau Gasol is playing. It's also how everything is organized. It allows a player to really focus and be at his best and everyone else in the locker room is held to a high standard to bring their best every day."

It was no secret Deng welcomed the arrival of Thibodeau because he felt his role in the Vinny Del Negro years wasn't conducive to success.

"Whatever your job is, Thibs will make sure you stay focused and on top of it," Deng added. "So you really don't lose focus over a long season."

Lu is the glue:

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra on Luol Deng's value to the Heat.

"He's our glue guy. He does a lot of intangible things," Spoelstra said. "We're trying to take advantage of his versatility on both ends of the court. He's one through four for us defensively, often taking the toughest matchup at certain points during the game. He's a great, experienced competitive defender.

"And offensively we think he's a great fit with our anchors in Dwyane (Wade) and CB (Chris Bosh), because he does such a great job of playing off the ball."

Bull horns:

Besides the video tribute to Luol Deng in the first quarter, the Bulls also held a moment of silence before tipoff for Cubs legends Ernie Banks. … Miami's Hassan Whiteside tied a Bulls opponent record for most blocks in a regulation game with 12, also held by JaVale McGee. Ralph Sampson had 13 blocks in an overtime game in 1983.

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