Luol Deng's minutes

So Deng played a crap load of minutes last season. So far this season, he has played as followed 


1-38m
2- 41m
3- 40m
4 - 42 m

Im a bit concerned. I know that Deng is the glue of this team, plus at his age he is in the prime of his career.  But still, in a shortened season, I dont want to see Luol Deng playing over 40 minutes a night. He'll likely get injured eventually at this rate, I dont like it.

The Bulls are one of the deepest teams in the league, theres really no reason to be taking that kind of risk when you are playing such a condesned scheduel. Get Brewer more minutes in his place. 

The Bulls have one of, if not the, deepest teams in the league.  There is no reason for anyone to play more than 36 minutes.  In a shortened condensed season no one should probably even play 34 minutes.

The regular season is not important for the Bulls.  It should be all about the playoffs.  keeping guys rested and ready for the playoffs should be their primary goal.

Even if he does stay healthy it will take a lot out of Deng to play heavy minutes, making him less effective when it really matters.

We will see how the season progresses.  So far Tibs rotations, and minute distribution have been suspect at best.  Derrick Rose admitted to wearing down last season and stated it took its toll on him in the playoffs.  I am sure more than a few Bulls were hindered because of the minutes they played.  All we can hope is that as the season wears on we see a better play time mix.  

I totally agree that he is playing alot of minutes, although this all started last year. He is always the last guy to come out of the game in the first quarter, and sometimes he plays late when the game is in control. He is again playing at a high level, sometimes I think his importance to the team is over looked, without him the Bulls can't win a championship.


He needs to have his minutes shortened, we will need him at full strenght come playoff time. It could be a matter of just being a little smarter when he comes out, just before ends of quarters of the half. Hopefully the have a plan toghther, I am sure they do.


Go Bulls.............    

I dont think there is any question that Deng is worth every penny he is getting paid at this point. He is one of the best defenders in the league hands down, and still goes 16+ppg. Outstanding.

But he really needs less minutes. It was true last season, and its 3x more true this season with the condensed scheduel.

He has continued to go 40+ mpg since the thread was made. 

I agree he Needs to give deng and rose more rest. Overall great start so far boys. I feel another good year.

Why the heck did Deng and Rose have to play 36+ minutes against Detroit????  Deng wasn't even doing anything.  The fact that he was pretty much useless stats-wise means he's getting fatigued.  He needs to get some rest.  Save them for the good teams and for the playoffs.

It's was alarming how many minutes he played last night against a team that is dismal to say the least. The Bulls had control of that game the whole way, that is a perfect example of where Tibs has to tell the other players to step up and finish the game.


He needs to get shorter minutes coach, we need him to play these minutes in the playoffs, not night in and night out. The guy who needs to step it up looks to be Kyle Korver, he replaces Deng first, so get him on the floor and get on with it. They can win with Korver getting more minutes, no bonus points for 10pt wins, just get the W ! 

Last night was case in point. That was rediculous. I literally had to turn the TV off near the end when Deng was still in, I was so flippin frustrated. It makes NO sense. NONE. I dont understand how NBA Coaches make millions of dollars and still make gargantuous blunders. It offends me on a personal level at times.

I personally dont think the answer is Korver, give him the same minutes, just give Brewer even more minutes.

Rip is the first one off the floor for Brewer. Brewer stays in with the starters, then with the Bench players. Rip Comes in for Korver and Brewer shifts to SF. Things like that. 
 

Agreed. Deng played a nice season last year, but has had his share of injuries in the past. There is NO need to overwork him. Give Brewer 5 extra minutes game and bring Dengs minutes down to 35-36 per. Watson getting hurt really screws Derricks shot at getting more rest. I am sorry but John Locus is way undersized and just not that good. He will be killed by most backups in the weeks to come.

P.S.

Deng needs to grow out that mohawk again.

Its hard for me to be as mad about Rose because John Lucas really does suck. But Deng? We've got Brewer and Korver there. I know Deng really is the glue that holds the team together, but still, you've got two good backups that can play his position, no excuses.

I was diggin the Mohawk a bit. Made him look like a more fearsome defender 

John Lucas doesn't suck.  He can hit the open 3.  He seems a lot like Eddie House with a bit better ball handling and passing.  He is not Derrick Rose, but he is not awful. 

I actually like the ball in Ronnie Brewers hands more and Lucas off the ball as a spot up jump shooter.  Brewer played the pick and roll very well.  His size, strength, and length, make him deadly at the high post. 

John Lucas doesn't suck.  He can hit the open 3.  He seems a lot like Eddie House with a bit better ball handling and passing.  He is not Derrick Rose, but he is not awful.

He is Earl Boykins with worse ball handling skills. He can hit the 3, I give you that, but there is no way he can defend an average sized person, let alone another PG in the NBA. His Ballhandling is quite bad for a PG as well. He seems very uncomfortable with the ball in his hands and seems to want to get rid of it as soon as he can. Maybe more playing time will fix the later, but his size is an issue.

He is Earl Boykins with worse ball handling skills. He can hit the 3, I give you that, but there is no way he can defend an average sized person, let alone another PG in the NBA. His Ballhandling is quite bad for a PG as well. He seems very uncomfortable with the ball in his hands and seems to want to get rid of it as soon as he can. Maybe more playing time will fix the later, but his size is an issue.

What?????

He is nothing like Earlt Boykins.  Boykins had some quickness and speed to his game.

John Lucas is a more than serviceable 3rd PG.  He doesn't turn the ball over.  Obviously he doesn't make spectacular plays and does not break people down off the dribble.  He is a spot up PG with limmited playmaking and defensive capabilities. 

He is not awful.  What do you expect from a 3rd string PG?  He is basically Eddie House but 2 inches shorter. 

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Back on topic.  Did anyone else notice how many Bulls were nursing minor injuries. We are like 2 weeks into the season and the Bulls look like a MASH unit.  If Tibs doesn't fix his rotations they are not going to make it through the season.  The Heat just played a game without LeBron James and D Wade. 

Butler needs more PT.  I can deal with Ronnie Brewer running the point on offense if it gets Derrick Rose's PT under 36 minutes a game. 

The reality of the situation is that the Bulls are probably going to get a top two seed no matter what.  Is a possible 7th game at home in the ECF worth it?  I say hell no. 

Get these guys rest.  The game against the Hawks tomorrow is going to be grueling.  That was a very physical game against the Magic.  I think Joakim Noah may have injured himself too. 

Honestly I dont even care. Just bench the starters for the entire game tomorrow. Tonight was the start of a brutal scheduel. I dont know the specifics but its like 5 games in 6 days. Its killing me to see Deng getting all these minutes, Rose getting all these minutes.

HELLO THIBS. You have one of the deepest benches in the league, USE IT. Its all about the playoffs, and the Bulls are a virtual lock for the 3rd seed at the very very worst. 

You wana win, put Jimmy in.

"You wana win, put Jimmy in."

Jimmy Butler is a good player.  Plays with confidence.  He's played in 4-5 games since preseason and always positively contributes in the short time he is in.  It's clear he will only help the Bulls not hurt them.  Is he a starter that can play against other starters?  Probably not right now (I mean how many rookies really are?).  But is he a better player then many teams second unit (at his position) yes.

Jimmy Butler is ACTUALLY the only other Bull, not named Drose, on the ENTIRE roster that can TRULY (not sometimes like Deng or Rip) but can TRULY create his own shot (once again, against other teams second unit).  Ding Ding Ding, the other "create their own shot" player for the Bulls, RIGHT on their own team.  Let's do this Thibs.

thats the one thing i hate about toms decisions as a coach. he doesn't play his rookies! hes proven that he can ball, but tom wont get him in the regular rotation

Yo I want to go on record and say that over the years I was really wrong about Luol Deng. I have always said that he was over rated, he fianlly decided to show uo this season. He really deserves the time that he is getting.

reath your alive!