RealGM

Next in the continuing series taking the fanbase's temperature on each of our likely starting 5 for next season during this dead period is ... Luol Deng.

Same parameters as the previous threads. Factoring in both offense and defense, where do you rank Deng among NBA SFs?

I added some extra options at the bottom because I'm not sure if everyone believes that Deng is a top 20 SF.

He's a good player... as much effort as I can give at it.

Not even sure who are the top ten SF's

Bishop45 wrote:He's a good player... as much effort as I can give at it.

Not even sure who are the top ten SF's

It's not a test. You're not being graded.

And you can always change your answer if you change your mind after further consideration. So just start out with a gut response.

His 3pt shooting hurts this team. Hes a no fit here

he could be top 20, i'm guessing

someone needs to list all NBA SF's so we can take a good look at where Deng stands.

No 3pt shot, very inconsistent, injury prone. Doesn't fit here.

Mugiwara wrote:No 3pt shot, very inconsistent, injury prone. Doesn't fit here.

I believe he had the best three point percentage of anyone on the team and also played more games(Well maybe second to Rio)

Lebron, Durant, Melo, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Ariza, Jeff Green, DeMarre Carroll, Paul Pierce (gonna retire anyway), Iguodala?, Batum, Giannis?

Those are just the other SFs I can name in no particular order

Deng is maybe #9-13# depending on who you talk to


Personally I like him as a person, he plays hard, but I dont know if he fits. Bad at the fast break, not a 3 point shooter despite having a decent year, cant dribble. Deng requires a team that moves the ball, but at the SF you should have someone who creates too. He doesnt create much, its not his game. He requires multiple ball handlers and we had just one in Wade, so it made things uglier.

Deng said he missed McBob the most when he went down. McBob helped Deng offensively appartently. Could pass to him cutting. Bosh at PF passes to no one lol

I'm not sure how helpful this will be but ...

http://www.rotoworld.com/teams/depth-charts/nba.aspx

That's a page with depth charts for every NBA team ... in some cases it is adjusted for injuries ... I don't vouch for its accuracy.

I think Top 3, Top 5, Top 8 options are not necessary in this poll.

I admit he's not the perfect fit in our starting lineup. But, it will be better when Bosh is back -- less pressure on Deng to essentially be the only off-ball 3-point shooter. Plus I think he's extremely valuable to our overall rotation.

With that said, some in our fanbase definitely underrate him and didn't appreciate what he brought this year. Some expected a 20 ppg scorer and offensive playmaker for some absurd reasons. He finds the right spots to be on the court. Is conducive to good off-ball movement, cutting, ball movement, etc And he is BY FAR our best wing defender (and still one of the better in the NBA). If he does not come back for next season, the same people that hate on him will be missing him desperately when Ennis is our best perimeter defender.

He falls somewhere between 10 and 15

DefenseWins wrote:
Deng requires a team that moves the ball, but at the SF you should have someone who creates too. He doesnt create much, its not his game. He requires multiple ball handlers and we had just one in Wade, so it made things uglier.

Deng said he missed McBob the most when he went down. McBob helped Deng offensively appartently. Could pass to him cutting. Bosh at PF passes to no one lol

I agree with much of what you're saying. But, not sure what you're basing the bold off of. Traditionally, the SF position is not one that is particularly conducive to being a playmaker for others. I'd argue Deng is actually a very traditional SF (in that off-ball is his game). Easily the majority of NBA teams do not have SF that create much.

Nonetheless, it's not so much about which position creates the offense, it's about having guys that create the offense on the floor. If we have the roster we've all kind of expected for next season, then our main six guys will be Dragic, Wade, Deng, Bosh, Whiteside, McRoberts. 3 of the 6 create offense for others. That is plenty for a core lineup and will more fully complement Deng's game.

Tomorrow ... Chris Bosh

Wednesday ... armageddon

top 15.

greg4012 wrote:

DefenseWins wrote:
Deng requires a team that moves the ball, but at the SF you should have someone who creates too. He doesnt create much, its not his game. He requires multiple ball handlers and we had just one in Wade, so it made things uglier.

Deng said he missed McBob the most when he went down. McBob helped Deng offensively appartently. Could pass to him cutting. Bosh at PF passes to no one lol

I agree with much of what you're saying. But, not sure what you're basing the bold off of. Traditionally, the SF position is not one that is particularly conducive to being a playmaker for others. I'd argue Deng is actually a very traditional SF (in that off-ball is his game). Easily the majority of NBA teams do not have SF that create much.

Nonetheless, it's not so much about which position creates the offense, it's about having guys that create the offense on the floor. If we have the roster we've all kind of expected for next season, then our main six guys will be Dragic, Wade, Deng, Bosh, Whiteside, McRoberts. 3 of the 6 create offense for others. That is plenty for a core lineup and will more fully complement Deng's game.

Basing it off all those times our offense stalled and our 3rd paid highest couldnt do anything. Yes he is a traditional SF, but this where our needs come to play. We need creators, and I guess thats where Dragic comes in, but someone who can atleast dribble into the paint without fumbling the ball would be nice. This team and its lack of ball movement was really apparent. IF YOU cant do that then just shoot 3s. But he cant do that consistently because he is not a real 3 pt shooter, despite having a good year from 3, but he has hesitated on half those shots.

Again I like Deng but at times due to our needs and what we are missing, I am not sure he is right for us. I appreciate his hard work out there and he has a strong locker room presence IMO.

Still sucks Ariza didnt pick us. Cheaper contract, shoots 3s and defense. No he doesnt create but he doesnt hesitant to shoot 3s.

people dont guard us at the 3 point line, no legit threats

Top 20 and that's being generous