Bulls, Deng - overrated

[StartOrien]

I've always considered Deng one of the most under rated players in the NBA. As far as SFs go there are only a few I would rank as better overall than he is: Lebron, Durant, Pierce, and Melo, are the only SFs I think are clearly better than Deng as an overall player. I would put him on par with Granger, gay, Iguodala and a few others that are fringe All-Star players at the SF position.

He's played injured almost all season. He has lost his starting MVP PG and his starting high quality defensive rebounding center. he isn't a superstar. He should be expected to carry this team and clearly can't.

But when people talk about his game, I think they almost always undervalue his total contributions rather than over rate them.

Granger has no business being in that second tier.

[Donoghus]

I've always considered Deng one of the most under rated players in the NBA. As far as SFs go there are only a few I would rank as better overall than he is: Lebron, Durant, Pierce, and Melo, are the only SFs I think are clearly better than Deng as an overall player. I would put him on par with Granger, gay, Iguodala and a few others that are fringe All-Star players at the SF position.

He's played injured almost all season. He has lost his starting MVP PG and his starting high quality defensive rebounding center. he isn't a superstar. He should be expected to carry this team and clearly can't.

But when people talk about his game, I think they almost always undervalue his total contributions rather than over rate them.

Granger has no business being in that second tier.

Why not?

[Mr October]

This team is all about Rose.

Found it kinda laughable that people thought after he went down that they would still sweep or make short work of the Sixers.

They overachieved without Rose during the season and people automatically translate that to the Bulls just being THAT good.

Exactly. Another way of saying that this is an overrated Bulls team.

I think Deng is a very good player, and I think the Bulls are very good. But they aren't quite as good and dominant as playoff contenders as some might believe. Thats what I am trying to get at with this thread.

And I would not be surprised if the Celtics take the next series 4-1, despite their own abundance of injuries and age.

[Who]

I don't think Boozer is over-rated as much as he has gotten older.

Lost some quickness when he didn't have much to lose to begin with and it has seriously inhibited his ability to create quality looks for himself.

More in line with a high quality offensive orientated role player nowadays than the All-Star caliber player he used to be. A top 20 PF in the league (top 15?).

[4THQTR]

I believe Deng is playing with a torn ligament in his wrist...

That means that 40% of the Bulls' starting line-up is out with injuries and 60% is seriously injured...

As for stars that can't create their own shot:
The Celtics have two of those... Neither Garnett or Allen are at this point in their careers better than Deng when it comes to creating their own shot...

And Deng's bread & butter is not scoring, but defense and being an overall very complete and smart player ( he's not flashy, but apart from James, Durant, Melo and Pierce I wouldn't take any SF over him).

[Mr October]

I don't think Boozer is over-rated as much as he has gotten older.

Lost some quickness when he didn't have much to lose to begin with and it has seriously inhibited his ability to create quality looks for himself.

More in line with a high quality offensive orientated role player nowadays than the All-Star caliber player he used to be. A top 20 PF in the league (top 15?).

I think we have the same thoughts on Boozer.

Boozer used to destroy the lower tiered starting power forwards. But in the playoffs (or even regular season) I don't recall him getting the better of Duncan, Garnett, Amare, Dirk in the West. He was a fringe all star, not worthy of being talked about in the same breath as the all NBA guys with similar numbers.

How different is his body of work from say an Al Jefferson. Boozer has benefited from having better teammates.

At his peak I thought Boozer was in the top 4-8 PF range, and yes due to age and wear he is better slotted in the 12-18 range.

[Mr October]

I believe Deng is playing with a torn ligament in his wrist...

That means that 40% of the Bulls' starting line-up is out with injuries and 60% is seriously injured...

As for stars that can't create their own shot:
The Celtics have two of those... Neither Garnett or Allen are at this point in their careers better than Deng when it comes to creating their own shot...

And Deng's bread & butter is not scoring, but defense and being an overall very complete and smart player ( he's not flashy, but apart from James, Durant, Melo and Pierce I wouldn't take any SF over him).

Yup Deng is not a scorer. He's a glue guy. A quality defensive player. He's a complete player who disappears on offense for quarters or even a game at a time.

This all sounds like a really good player who is just below all star level. He should be on the Lamar Odom (prior to this past year), Al Jefferson not quite all stars team.

[4THQTR]

I believe Deng is playing with a torn ligament in his wrist...

That means that 40% of the Bulls' starting line-up is out with injuries and 60% is seriously injured...

As for stars that can't create their own shot:
The Celtics have two of those... Neither Garnett or Allen are at this point in their careers better than Deng when it comes to creating their own shot...

And Deng's bread & butter is not scoring, but defense and being an overall very complete and smart player ( he's not flashy, but apart from James, Durant, Melo and Pierce I wouldn't take any SF over him).

Yup Deng is not a scorer. He's a glue guy. A quality defensive player. He's a complete player who disappears on offense for quarters or even a game at a time.

This all sounds like a really good player who is just below all star level. He should be on the Lamar Odom (prior to this past year), Al Jefferson not quite all stars team.

Oh I'm not saying he's an all-star or anything, though I personally was perfectly fine with his selection this year...

I just wanted to point out that due to injuries now may not be the right time to judge the Bulls and Deng...

[CFAN38]

Deng, is who he is. He will never be a go to 20+pt a game scorer. Granted he is currently injured but even at his best he cant be expected to carry the load left over by Rose on offense. Deng isnt a super star talent but he is a fringe all star who does a lot of things very well. He is a poor 1st option a decent 2nd option and a great 3rd option. 

[Mr October]

I believe Deng is playing with a torn ligament in his wrist...

That means that 40% of the Bulls' starting line-up is out with injuries and 60% is seriously injured...

As for stars that can't create their own shot:
The Celtics have two of those... Neither Garnett or Allen are at this point in their careers better than Deng when it comes to creating their own shot...

And Deng's bread & butter is not scoring, but defense and being an overall very complete and smart player ( he's not flashy, but apart from James, Durant, Melo and Pierce I wouldn't take any SF over him).

Yup Deng is not a scorer. He's a glue guy. A quality defensive player. He's a complete player who disappears on offense for quarters or even a game at a time.

This all sounds like a really good player who is just below all star level. He should be on the Lamar Odom (prior to this past year), Al Jefferson not quite all stars team.

Oh I'm not saying he's an all-star or anything, though I personally was perfectly fine with his selection this year...

I just wanted to point out that due to injuries now may not be the right time to judge the Bulls and Deng...

When the team's ace goes down, you get a better look at what the rest of the roster is made of. Asik and Gibson should be effective enough to replace Noah. Although even with Noah, the Sixers were giving the Bulls all they could handle if not more.

And this Sixers team is not that good as playoff teams go. They are an athletic streaky team that took advantage of the lockout for a month and a half before falling 17-24 on their way to an 8th seed.

The Sixers looked great against Boston, when the Sixers had a night of rest while the Celtics played the night before.

This Bulls team looks very much like the Iverson Sixers teams from about 10-12 years ago.

[missyP]

The guys is playing on one arm. Has been playing injured because he refused surgery so he can help team and also play on the Olympics. The same Deng that made All star and annually gives Pierce and Lebron fits on defense.

Some fans here act like if you give them the ball they will go put up 30/20/20 with their eyes closed..smh!

[The Fawb]

I don't think Boozer is over-rated as much as he has gotten older.

Lost some quickness when he didn't have much to lose to begin with and it has seriously inhibited his ability to create quality looks for himself.

More in line with a high quality offensive orientated role player nowadays than the All-Star caliber player he used to be. A top 20 PF in the league (top 15?).

I think we have the same thoughts on Boozer.

Boozer used to destroy the lower tiered starting power forwards. But in the playoffs (or even regular season) I don't recall him getting the better of Duncan, Garnett, Amare, Dirk in the West. He was a fringe all star, not worthy of being talked about in the same breath as the all NBA guys with similar numbers.

How different is his body of work from say an Al Jefferson. Boozer has benefited from having better teammates.

At his peak I thought Boozer was in the top 4-8 PF range, and yes due to age and wear he is better slotted in the 12-18 range.

Here is something people tend to forget about Carlos Boozer though. His PG used to be Deron Williams, who is a MUCH better passer/floor general than Rose. Rose gets most of his assists on kickouts from driving, which is not how Boozer scores. He scores best on the pick and roll, faceups and post moves.  Deron Williams was masterful at the pick and roll in Utah under Sloan. Derrick Rose is not a true PG, imo. He is a scorer placed in that role. Definitely not MVP caliber. He is and never was better than Lebron, Durant or even Dwight Howard imo.

[pearljammer10]

Deng will never be a teams number one option or best player... However, he is a pretty darn good second fiddle.

[CelticG1]

Deng will never be a teams number one option or best player... However, he is a pretty darn good second fiddle.

Pretty darn good second fiddle?

That's awfully generous for the one time all-star.

[dark_lord]

Deng is an excellent role player that plays great on both sides of the court.  he was an all-star, but sometimes role players have great seasons and get the occassional all star nomination.  can he carry a team, no......but he is a darn good piece to a superstar.

imo, he is one of three defensive players in the league that gives pierce a really difficult time (the other two are iggy and artest)