Every year around this time when the majority of the country is focusing on the NFL draft, wondering which player is going to be selected to their team, there are some of us who are actually following the NBA playoffs. I had the privilege of being spoiled in the early days of my childhood by a man who I will refer to as MJ. He anchored six title teams in Chicago, which the likes have never been seen in the city ever since. This year there is an exception, the Bulls are actually going to contend for the NBA crown. I still believe they are a year and another one of New York's lottery picks away from actually being taken seriously, but a player by the name of Luol Deng is helping to accelerate that. Considered by most to be a project player when the Bulls traded for his rights from Phoenix in the 2004 draft. He has quickly become a rising star in this year's playoffs...much like Josh Howard and Devin Harris of last year's campaign, Manu Ginobli the year before that, and Chauncy Billups in '04. Deng's ascension in to upper middle stardom in the NBA should come as a surprise to no one. His points per game has increased every year since he entered the league during the regular season, and he has EXPLODED in this years playoffs. He has more than doubled his point output since last year's playoffs, averaging almost 30 points a game through the first two games of the serious against the Heat, up from the 10.2 points he averaged last season. While he might not be the most important player in this year's playoffs, he will most certainly be an integral part of the Bulls run. It was by no stroke of luck that when he declared himself eligible for the 2004 NBA draft that he was going to do good, possibly even great things in his career. Among his accolades in college were being named ACC freshman of the year, making the All-American freshman team, third team All-ACC, and was named Most Outstanding player of the Atlanta region. While his initials might not be as catchy as MJ, LD is sure to be a mainstay in Chicago for many years to come.
...and you can take that to the bank.
G e Koch
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