Deng out for several weeks

by Big D on Jan 23, 2008 1:10 PM CST Comment 67 comments

[From the Diaries (you guys are on the ball today!). Well, this is bad news but better than running Deng out there looking like he did against Memphis. -Matt]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi080123-chicago_bulls_luol_deng_injury,1,4307496.story?ctrack =7&cset=true

There's no timetable, but Boylan says it'll be weeks, not days.

Can we now officially admit that this team is going nowhere and play the young players? I would hope that this would mean more time for Tyrus, if only because Nocioni will be spending more time at the 3.

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Dang

this sucks

"Glen Davis??? wow!! We had Glen Davis, his name is Michael Sweetney" - tyrus4prez

by NittanyBull on Jan 23, 2008 1:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Let the Veektor Khryapa era begin!

by Old Skool Sloan on Jan 23, 2008 1:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Unbelievable.

And, no, Tyrus won't get the PT.

It'll be three guard hog heaven until Deng returns, with Noce at the 4. Oh, yeah.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 23, 2008 1:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

On a serious note, why in the

hell was Deng playing against Memphis if the injury was this severe?

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 23, 2008 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Great question!

I wonder how that extension is looking now? I think Gilbert Arenas mentioned this in his blog when he was calling out B.G. and Deng...injuries can ruin whatever money you were hoping to get next year....

by SlickRick76 on Jan 23, 2008 1:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Will mean more time for TT

Du is out so they only have three guards. Noc moves over to the three. TT becomes the primary backup at the 4. Just like they drew it up. Might also nix any Gasol deal, too, since it would significantly thin out the depth at 3 and 4.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 23, 2008 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i can handle

PG: Kirk/Thabo/BG
SG: Thabo/GB/Kirk
SF: Noc/Thabo
PF: Smith/Thomas
C: Wallace/Noah

I vote for Thomas to play, play more and play regularly.-Sam Smith

by tyrus4prez on Jan 23, 2008 1:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

eh, maybe not

if they trade for Gasol, he's signed for 4 more years, so it's not exactly about going anywhere this season if that's the move they want to make.

As far as the team now, I'm cool with it, although when Deng was out before TT was the backup at the 3, not the 4. I'd prefer putting Thabo in that spot (which means a lot of minutes for him) and perhaps even peppering in some Nichols. Or play Veektor as the 3 on offense (i.e. stand in the corner) with Tyrus.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 23, 2008 2:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

*I'm cool with it

Not cool with the injury, but your suggestion of the new rotation.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 23, 2008 2:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

...and how will you feel

about the reintroduction of Gray to the center rotation...which will move some of Noah's minutes down to the 4, where he will share time with Smith, Noc and Tyrus.

Not so cool with it, I would imagine.

If the Bulls lose a few in a row, I'd look for Smith to get moved pronto...which should finally open things up a bit for Tyrus--unless he's gone by then, too.

by alec on Jan 23, 2008 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Noah is only playing behind Wallace

Gray is only playing matchups. And any deal for Gasol takes at least one of Noah/TT, unless we fleece Memphis somehow (not unimaginable, but that creates an even worse logjam for the bigs.)

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 23, 2008 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was being sarcastic., in light of the

staff's apparent disdain for TT.

However, Boylan seems pretty fond of that "three guard" lineup. I could see him playing Gordon, Hinrich, Thabo, Smith/Nocioni, Wallace/Noah for extensive minutes.

But one has to imagine that TT's minutes will definitely increase.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 23, 2008 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously it sucks for the short term

but I'm glad to see the Bulls do the far-sighted thing and shut him down to make sure he doesn't suffer a career affecting injury.

I can't imagine Deng is very happy about it or wants to do it, since it might affect his contract status, but in this case I think the Bulls need to be willing to say "Hey, we'll be fair with you when it comes to your contract, but you can't take chances with yourself".

by Sports2 on Jan 23, 2008 1:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why should the Bulls be fair???

Sure, it is sad he got hurt. I don't have any bad will towrads him. He is an adult and knew the risks. You make your bed, and now you have to lie in it.

by SlickRick76 on Jan 23, 2008 1:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, this better not mean more Griffin

If it does, I might start crying.

by Big D on Jan 23, 2008 1:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This injury could help out the Bulls...

it will open up minutes to showcase some talent. Here is what is going to happen:

Bulls play badly as a team the next 3 weeks, but certain players raise their trade value.
Tyrus, Thabo, & Noce take advantage of the minutes and get traded for Gasol, but it is too late and the Bulls don't make the playoffs this year.
They start to mesh towards the end of the season.
Deng & BG are extended.
OJ Mayo is drafted.
Bulls win it all 2009.

by Jesse07 on Jan 23, 2008 1:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

They weren't playing that well

with an injured Deng. They might actually play better with a healthy Noc at the three.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 23, 2008 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OJ MAYO VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5gEcVYuC8I

by Jesse07 on Jan 23, 2008 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

haha

Funny video....so epic. What is that, Passion of the Christ music? We won't be drafting high enough to get him anyway.

by goldengod on Jan 23, 2008 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

what will be the max someone will offer for Deng this offseason??

I vote for Thomas to play, play more and play regularly.-Sam Smith

by tyrus4prez on Jan 23, 2008 1:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

it will be whatever the bulls offer him

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 23, 2008 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lets hope he stays home

Don't even take him on the West coast swing. Air travel is only going to make it worse.

It's a boot isolation and work in the pool. That's pretty much all you can do.

by NBA Observer on Jan 23, 2008 1:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

They should have

not played him when they first knew of this injury. He could have had two weeks of rest already. He should have signed his contract last fall. Guess that's a chance you take.

Yes, the game is on in Iowa.

by sue369 on Jan 23, 2008 2:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dude.

We need to trust the coaches. They knew what they were doing when they let him play.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Jan 23, 2008 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just guessing

here but Lu probably felt he could play and wanted to help his team so he told the trainers that he felt well enough to play. Like I said this is just my opinion.

Yes, the game is on in Iowa.

by sue369 on Jan 23, 2008 2:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus, the last thing Lu wants right now

is to get a reputation for being injury prone. There's no more certain contract killer.

by alec on Jan 23, 2008 2:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point.

Yes, the game is on in Iowa.

by sue369 on Jan 23, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How could that possibly happen in one year?

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Jan 23, 2008 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't have to.

See broken wrist two years ago.

by CrashDavis on Jan 23, 2008 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Broken wrist

year before last.

by alec on Jan 23, 2008 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ahhh...

...injury-prone "should" refer to constant nagging injuries or stress injuries such as muscle pulls or tendinitis or back or achilles heel injuries and they need to be recurrent. Impact injuries are called "freak" injuries and rarely, if ever, contribute to an injury prone label. Repeatedly getting mugged by James Posey would hardly make one injury-prone.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Jan 23, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, that's not true.

There is, believe it or not, a psychological type associated with injury prone people.

What it refers to is a personality that is not aware of its limitations, and repeatedly goes just beyond them. You can see this most clearly in kids who get hurt a lot.

It's not about getting the same injuries over and over, it's about getting injured over and over, period.

by alec on Jan 23, 2008 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

...and getting mugged, or impact injuries in sports, is not like that. That's basically exactly what I said. People have recurrent stress injuries from not taking time off when they should to rest. I didn't mean to imply that it to be the same injury, it's the same type of injury.

I fail to see how Deng having broken his wrist, had he been the one to get the broken by Posey instead of THomas, how that would have made him injury-prone.

I can't think of an example (and I'm trying) where an athlete is put in the similar situations that you're referring to--like repeatedly jumping off building or something. They're usually held back from doing those things by coaches.

As I said, considering his two big injuries, it would be near impossible for Deng to be considered injury-prone during this year.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Jan 23, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: "Impact injuries...not like that"

Actually (again), it is exactly like that.

In fact, that's pretty much the definition. Let me pre-apologize for cross-sporting...but think of, for example, Rex Grossman. By the standard definition (prev. post, above), he would be called injury prone. By your personal definition, since he was either involved with impacts or pseudo-muggings, he would not.

The point is, there are people who tend to get hurt (think: Rex Grossman), and there are people who don't (think Brett Favre).

Is Deng turning into a basketball version of Rex Grossman? I'd say, at the very least, that he's beginning to.

by alec on Jan 23, 2008 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You two should just

sleep with each other and get it over with.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 23, 2008 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Try it out and see method

I don't think they always know when to put players back in. You can make an educated guess, but with all the strain they put on their bodies I sense more of a "lets try it out...oh crap" approach sometimes like in this situation with Deng. Especially when players are already used to playing through pain for most of their teen and adult lives and might mistakenly group something serious with along with their day to day joint and muscle pains. Sad to see Deng out, but it seems like he needs to be out. And for longer than just a couple games.

by cranscape on Jan 23, 2008 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I still think it'll work out financially

Although I'm sure Mike North is giddy that Deng was 'proven wrong', or something.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 23, 2008 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I loathe

Mike North.

Yes, the game is on in Iowa.

by sue369 on Jan 23, 2008 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

KC got him this morning

North didnt' think Al Jefferson was as good as Tyrus Thomas.

Geesh.

by KT on Jan 23, 2008 2:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good

Yes, the game is on in Iowa.

by sue369 on Jan 23, 2008 2:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe this at all

The season is officially over

by Option27 on Jan 23, 2008 2:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The worst thing that can happen

is for Paxson to write the poor record off to "untimely injuries" and decide to stand pat.

by alec on Jan 23, 2008 2:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Precisely.

I hope the Bulls don't try to use these injuries to rationalize the failures of this team and justify passivity during the offseason.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 23, 2008 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've already seen

Gordon's injury in the preseason and Wallace's "injuries" mentioned in that way.

by cranscape on Jan 23, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Watch out,

the Bulls are a wounded tiger.

by philosoball on Jan 23, 2008 2:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wounded tiger?

More like a two-legged squirrel.

by BJarmstrong on Jan 23, 2008 6:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Finally the full force of Nocioni's

grit, energy, and will to win can be unleashed, and the Bulls will finally make their playoff push.

by Scotter on Jan 23, 2008 2:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

our worst nighmare

a free Nocioni, not having to look over his shoulder...this just CAN'T be good

by ScottieCartwright on Jan 23, 2008 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

kind of like you and tygger on BaB

we'll all just have to hold on for the ride...

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 23, 2008 3:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

funny, not quite

even your cheapshots are lame...and all this time I thought it was just your diaries

by ScottieCartwright on Jan 23, 2008 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ahh, did I hurt your feeling SC?

please don't call me names... :.-(

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 23, 2008 4:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is Paxson's

annus horribilus.

by philosoball on Jan 23, 2008 2:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I loathe "small ball lineups"

But would still rather see Thabo play 3 then Noc because he think he's Craig Hodges with all the chucks from downtown while at the 3.

by RogersPark Kris on Jan 23, 2008 2:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Damn

Why couldnt it have been Ben Wallace and not Deng? WHY OH WHY

by Name4Sale on Jan 23, 2008 2:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

TT 3 or 4?

How could Thomas possibly be labeled a 3? He can barely dribble or shoot, and certainly can't adequately guard 3's on the perimeter.... He's a 4, albeit not a conventional one.... Hoipefully Smith is the next to need time off with an injury with Deng still hurt so Boylan would be forced to play Thomas and Noah exclusively at the 4 w/ Noc at the 3.

by tomes521 on Jan 23, 2008 2:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

if Pax removes his tinfoil hat

he can get a nice haul for Smith, who's having a great year and could better a help a team that is actually going to win something.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 23, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Smith being traded...

I was thinking of that this morning before this all went down...with the way he has been playing, he should bring back something good in a trade...

by SlickRick76 on Jan 23, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

May as well

No use to this team as it turned out. Do you really thing he needs a foil cap? Who'd be calling him? We're fanatics and don't like these guys?

by California Al on Jan 23, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Trade Smith to Portland for Fernandez

Trade for Gasol and Navarro, hire the Spanish national coach and hope Noc (if he isn't traded) can coexist...then move the team to San Diego. This is not hard.

by hlac on Jan 23, 2008 3:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Vince Carter

instead of trying to get NJ junk, maybe the Bulls should ask to see what they could do to get Carter from NJ.. he has a terrible contract, they got a load of swingman on the bench in Bokie and Ant Wright. Maybe something like a Noc/Joe Smith and a future draft pick might be enough. Noc and Joe would be their starters at 3 and 4... with RJ at the 2 and they have those 2 other guys to back them up. I personally dislike VC, but he can fit in here fine and whatever garbage he shoots is better than what we getting now on offense. And it will force the team to play TT at the 4 with Joakim, Ben and Aaron at the 5... maybe even play noah or Ben at the 4 too.

Kirk
VC
Deng(when healthy)Thabo for now
TT
Noah
with a solid bench of BG, Thabo, Duhon, BW, Gray and etc...

by Name4Sale on Jan 23, 2008 3:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good news is that Achilles'

injuries heal well. Because it's not a rupture - i.e. no stapling needed - Luol won't have any long term effects, and if allowed to heal, there's virtually no possibility of recurrence. The trouble is that if he continues to push on a strained achilles it CAN rupture - with possible long term problems. Upshot: this season is lost. annus horribilus as philosobull said. But it's suckiness can invade the suckiness of future years if we try, stupidly, to have Deng "push through it" for that playoff run that Boylan is preaching.

Make some trades or give this year to the kids. We all know the reasons, and this is just another one.

by Freethefro on Jan 23, 2008 4:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

didn't the bulls just beat Det w/o Deng?

Yeah, the bulls aren't going to the championship, but were they headed that way with Deng a few weeks ago? Part of the reason the bulls have been so inconsistent was Deng at half strength. The bulls might actually be a little better without Deng gimping up and down the court. I don't think they are a better team without him, but they might be without a 50% Deng.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 23, 2008 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You might be right

and I hope you are. How long has this injury been bothering him? That might give us a way to quantify whether 1/2 a Luol = 1 Nocioni. Or 1.5 Nocioni, since Andres always give 150%.

Maybe it's because Luol's my favorite Bull (by far) but I just can't see us going anywhere without him.

by Freethefro on Jan 23, 2008 4:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anywhere

except the draft lottery, that is.

by Freethefro on Jan 23, 2008 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Bulls also beat Det

with shitty-ass Tyrus Thomas getting 43 minutes. So go figure.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Jan 23, 2008 4:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The thing about TT

is maybe he will start earning more minutes from here. His last good game was against Sac (14 pts, 9 reb, 3 blocks in 23 min). After that his minutes decreased and now they are starting to increase again (though down to 11 from 18 in Mem). In Memphis he got 2nd half minutes but was pulled in favor of Noah who was playing no better - and then got garbage time.

I was disappointed he didn't reenter the game, but I'd rather see him get a solid stint in the 2nd quarter each game than having erratic minutes. And then when his play warrants it, to get another stint in the 2nd half. I'm not saying he didn't deserve it today, especially since we were so shorthanded and our usually consistent Joe Smith was not playing well and he should have been playing instead of Griffin.

But yeah. I hope to see more of him, but I'll be pleased at least for a little while just to see him get out there for a good chunk at a time without being immediately pulled.

by Jaina on Jan 23, 2008 11:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs