The enduring image from Luol Deng’s breakout season will be of him landing, his follow-through extended, watching yet another midrange jumper find its mark after he has filled the wing on a fast break.
That image can grow to form a collage of competency, say those who coach and play with the third-year forward.
“Give or take a handful of games, the midrange jumper has been there for him almost every night,” coach Scott Skiles said. “But he went off the dribble a few times [against the Blazers on Monday] and pulled up and shot. He also is becoming wiser with small guys switching onto him and running them down into the post. He’s doing a lot of good things.”
Indeed, Deng previously has vowed to improve his post-up skills this off-season. And given his familiarity with the after-hours code at the Berto Center, that’s not idle talk.
Ben Wallace has seen Deng’s game progress as an opponent and now as a teammate.
“I always liked what he brought to the game, a guy who can defend and a slasher who looks to get to the basket first,” Wallace said. “Now that I have an opportunity to play with him, every time I touch the ball, he’s always the first guy I see. That’s always a great feeling to have guys moving toward the basket. Once I hit him a couple of times, guys start to slack off. So if I want to make a move to the basket, it’s a lot easier.”
Matters have progressed to where it’s a surprise when Deng, shooting a career-best 52.3 percent, misses when he’s open.
Is now the time to mention that Deng, who would be a senior at Duke if he had stayed, doesn’t turn 22 until April 16?
“To be playing so well at his age, you can’t help but wonder what he’ll be like when he’s 25,” Skiles said. “He’ll be in his sixth year then, and he still, technically, won’t be in his prime. He has a multitude of ways he can hurt you.”
Deng doesn’t dispute Skiles’ take that he is more adept at reading defenses. His film work trails only his on-the-court work in his quest to get better. For what it’s worth, Wallace said Deng “definitely” would be an All-Star soon.
“I think before when I was out there, I was rushing myself a lot,” Deng said. “The game has slowed down. I see who’s guarding me. When [the Blazers] were showing the different defenses, it didn’t really bother me. I just tried to stay with what I’ve been doing and take the shots I’ve been taking all year.
“My shot has improved a lot from last season. I try to be as consistent as I can.”
Layups
Wallace had a news conference heralding his becoming the first pro athlete who endorses the Starbury brand. Knicks guard Stephon Marbury launched a brand of affordable sneakers last summer (retail price $14.98) and Wallace, a long-time Nike endorser, will wear them the remainder of this season in advance of his own shoe being developed for next season. . . . Skiles gave his team another day off Tuesday. Wallace jokingly took exception to this classification: “In this league, you don’t give guys days off. You have to do something to earn it,” he said. “If we weren’t playing up to our potential, we’d have to get in there and work. But as long as we play hard and everybody sees that, they’re going to reward us for our effort.”
———-
kcjohnson@tribune.com
