We hosted an exclusive Q&A with Bulls Legend Luol Deng in our official Discord server. Join here so you don't miss out on future giveaways and Q&As with Bulls players and alumni!
Question: How special is it for you to have the South Sudan national team playing in London against Team USA this summer before the Olympics (and playing during the Olympics too)? - @frenchbullsfan
Luol Deng: Probably one of my biggest achievements and probably one of the most exciting things that ever happened for our country. I’m excited to go back to the Olympics because I played in it in 2012, but also to play the US in London. The Olympics is a dream come true.
Q: Luol I love you. You, Kirk, Noah, Rose, Gibson, and Butler had an infectious intensity. You were all drafted by the Bulls. No matter what happened in the game, you never gave up, how did you create this culture? - @bertonery
LD: I gotta give that to Paxson, honestly. I always tell people, I think Pax is one of the best at drafting players, and he drafted us with characters that fit together. Kirk Hinrich, myself, Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Derrick obviously, Jimmy Butler. You can keep going but Pax really had an eye towards building and drafting individuals that are not just skilled but had heart. And he knew what the city wanted. I’ve always been and was a big Pax fan, and think he didn’t get the credit he deserved. His drafting is one of the best I’ve seen.
Q: Hey Luol, we see the work you're doing with South Sudan and full credit on that. But do you keep an eye on any up and coming UK talent? - @MattSeeRedUK
LD: Yes, I do. My camp was the first camp to rank players, and since we did that system, you can see the change in basketball in the UK. Kids are more competitive, want to be the best because of the ranking system. My camp stopped since Covid, but look forward to getting back hopefully next year.
Q: Hey, Luol Deng! I am currently a South Sudanese College Student that’s about to graduate soon & I have a passion for basketball and being involved in the basketball scene. Working with the South Sudanese Basketball teams is one of my goals. What are some advice that you could give me to achieve that goal? - @Mac
LD: Probably just learn the game as much as possible and whatever area your focus is in, do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. Keep getting better, and add in your own ideas to make it special.
Q: What was your relationship with Kobe like, were y'all very close with each other? - @Rekty
LD: We were very close. There was a time that we were talking a lot, obviously, when the Bulls and Lakers were talking about a trade and Kobe wouldn’t let the trade happen unless I stayed, and the trade fell through. It wasn’t because of the Bulls or Lakers, it was because of Kobe. The Bulls wouldn’t trade me to the Lakers unless Kobe was in that trade and Kobe said no.
Q: What was your favorite game as a Bull in your career? - @Dale
LD: When I scored 40 points at home against Portland, or maybe even the games where we were playing the Heat where LeBron was there. Those games always got the fan energy home and away, energy was amazing. We broke their win streak… I scored 28 or 32 that game. We would get up more for those games, we took it really personal. We didn’t want them to break records at the United Center. That game, Joakim Noah was hurt and I think maybe Kirk too….We had guys out and we decided as a team that we can’t lose to them.
We would win a title if Derrick doesn’t get hurt. Maybe even a couple. The level Derrick was playing at – I’ve never played with anyone at that level, and at that age the dominance that he has. Everything happens for a reason I guess but to me that’s one of those things that hurts. It hurt me, even when it happened. I knew it would change a lot of things, not just for Derrick but for all of us.
Q: How did it feel to be relied upon to play so many minutes by Thibs? - @YoungJordan
LD: I loved it. I think that Thibs is probably the one coach - I played for Scott Skiles also that I liked - but Thibs was the one coach I played for where I just played. DIdn’t think anything selfishly, points, just knew I’d get a lot of minutes and just play hard and trust that everything comes together. And that’s when Bulls fans loved me as well, they knew I’d play hard for them.
Q: Hey Luol, what was your typical pre-game ritual? - @DChan87
LD: After shootaround, I would take a nap for an hour and a half. I would always stretch at home, do something light. My pregame was always salmon, brown rice, and spinach. Even when I was on the road, I would try to find that.
Q: What was your favorite shoe to wear during games? - @Super
LD: The Durants. There’s something about the Durants – the 10 or 11s. If you can find a size 15, you let me know. I’m looking for them anywhere.
Q: How good do you think prime D-Rose would be compared to the competition of today? - @JorGoat
LD: He would be even better. His speed, and with more possessions in a game now – 33 more possessions in the game now and the way its reffed, he would have a huge advantage.
Q: What is one skill or drill every young player aspiring to go pro needs to master? - @definitesause12
LD: There is three things: Number one is obviously shooting. You need to be able to shoot. Two is handles, you need to dribble well. And number three is footwork. If you have those three things, you’re giving yourself a chance. Everybody’s athleticism is different, your footwork and how to move your feet, where they’re supposed to be on defense, coming off the screens, is also footwork. If you can shoot it changes the game so people gotta respect that, it opens up anything.
Q: Who was your favorite player to guard during your time in the league? - @sandman
LD: There's nobody I'm happy to guard, haha. That is work right there.
Q: The Guardian dubbed you "Britain's Secret Superstar".. who's your favorite British Superstar? (sports or anything else) - @SpaceGhostForce
LD: Ian Wright from Arsenal. He's a footballer and he's the reason I'm a Gunners fan.