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NBA: 30 greatest international players in league history

By Daniel Lubofsky

SAN ANTONIO - MAY 09: Guard Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball past Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 09: Guard Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball past Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Greatest international NBA players of all time: 20. Luol Deng

The career of Luol Deng doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Most known for his time with the Chicago Bulls, he consistently brought everything he had to both sides of the court and played a massive role in Chicago’s success during his tenure.

Deng was the seventh overall pick in the 2004 Draft and would immediately make an impact as a member of the All-Rookie First Team. There was no one thing he was particularly great. Some players are elite snipers while others may get to the rim with ease. Deng sprinkled in a little bit of everything to his offensive arsenal, and it’s what helped him remain so unpredictable at that end.

He was a constant contributor over the first six seasons of his career, averaging 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds a game. It didn’t appear to be until 2010-11 where the casual NBA fan began to recognize what he brought to the table.

From then until the 2014-15 campaign has been designated in Chicago as the era of Tom Thibodeau. An elite defensive mind, Thibs pushed his players past their physical limits and demanded everything they had at the defensive side of the floor. Some players may not have liked this style, but it was one Deng came to thrive in.

Those Bulls teams were as rough and physical as any of the decade. That style was brought in part by Deng, whose 7’1” wingspan helped to suffocate any and all opposing players. When Chicago went up against the Miami Heat, it was Deng tasked with checking LeBron James as the man best qualified to get the King off his rhythm.

Derrick Rose’s ACL tear was supposed to sink the Bulls. Instead, they continued to remain afloat in part because of Deng’s will to keep them relevant in the Eastern Conference. He led the league in minutes per game in consecutive seasons and also managed to make back-to-back trips to the All-Star Game as well.

Deng won’t just be remembered for the 16.1 points he averaged across nearly a decade in the Windy City. It’s his showing of effort through defensive assignments or the minutes on his odometer that endeared him to Bulls fans in a way that will always stick.