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Into the Bears’ Den: The most ‘Grit ‘n’ Grind’ non-Grizzlies in the NBA

By Ian Pierno

May 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets guard Pablo Prigioni (9) defends during the second half in game four of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets guard Pablo Prigioni (9) defends during the second half in game four of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luol Deng

Feb 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) looks to pass the ball as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 114-94. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) looks to pass the ball as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 114-94. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

By Mike Parrott (@MikeParrott_)

This is more based on the Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls and Tom Thibodeau, not the versions that have featured on the likes of the Heat and Cavaliers. Deng was a huge player for the contending Chicago Bulls 3-6 years ago, mostly known for his ability to play off the ball, and his ability to shut down opposing teams’ top player. He was an All-Star for two years, 2012 and 2013, however that was due to his iron-man abilities and defense, never his offense.

Deng fits the Memphis Grizzlies’ ‘Grit ‘n’ Grind’ style due to him relying on his sheer will rather than natural basketball talent. He was never a good shooter shown with his a .344 3-point percentage for his career and has been known for shooting the inefficient long 2 (30.3 percent of his shots were between 16 feet and the 3-point line). 

In the 2011-12 season, Deng was named to the All-Defensive 2nd team and was always known to guard the best opposing player on the court. This is also shown with his defensive win shares. In his All-D year, he was 13th in the NBA with DWS (defensive win-shares), and 4th amongst forwards. In 2010-11, when the Bulls made the Eastern Conference Finals, Deng was 4th in the NBA in DWS, only trailing Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James.

His iron-man abilities are some of the best we’ve seen in the NBA since Allen Iverson retired (averaged 41 MPG for his career).  Known for being Thibodeau’s favourite player, He played a huge amount of minutes per game, 39.1 MPG in three full seasons under Thibs.

Besides being the reason I got into basketball, Deng is the embodiment of grit and grind. He’s the embodiment of Memphis Grizzlies basketball.

Next: J.J. Redick

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