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Former Duke star Luol Deng learned Thursday he'd been selected for his first All-Star Game. That would have been a thrill no matter what, but Deng found it special because of all he's been through.
Trade rumors. Injuries. Frustration with missing a memorable playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Even speculation he was a malingerer for not playing on a stress fracture that postseason.
All that toughened up Deng, now in his eighth NBA season.
"When I had the stress fracture and had to watch one of the best (playoff) series with Boston," Deng said of his low point in the spring of 2009. "To know I'm on that team but I couldn't dress up and play. And then to sit there reading everything: The papers, the fans, saying that I wasn't really hurt.
"Before I felt like I was loved by everyone. Throughout my life I never experienced that hate, or whatever it was."
Deng is now an All-Star, playing for the best team in the Eastern Conference. He's averaging 16 points and 7.3 rebounds playing alongside the reigning MVP, Bulls point guard Derrick Rose.
But it wasn't that long ago that Deng was a commodity. The Bulls were in the hunt for LeBron James, along with numerous other teams, and the prospect of throwing Deng into a trade was a constant source of speculation.
Deng became adept at tuning it out.
"I never got caught up in, 'If I leave, what happens then?' " Deng said. "I concentrated on, 'How do I get better as a player?' "
He has gotten better, as have the Bulls.
