Luol Deng Injury: 5 Reasons Chicago Bulls Shouldn't Panic

Earlier today, Chicago Bulls' head coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed that small forward Luol Deng has a torn ligament in his left wrist. Deng, who suffered an injury to his non-shooting wrist in the fourth quarter during the Bulls' 95-89 win against the Charlotte Bobcats Saturday night, will be out indefinitely according to Thibodeau, who characterized his injury as "week-to-week," according to ESPN.

The outcry by Chicago Bulls' fans following the injury comes as no surprise, because Deng, who is known by the Bulls' community as the team's "glue man," is second on the team in points per game at 15.9, third in rebound per game at 7.5 and is widely seen as the team's best one-on-one defender. Most logical basketball fans even believe that Deng should make the Eastern Conference All-Star team this year as a reserve.

Despite having to deal with injuries to C.J. Watson (elbow) and Richard Hamilton (groin) earlier in the season, and Derrick Rose (toe) and Taj Gibson (ankle) more recently, the Bulls' 16-3 record is tops in the league. The only thing that may be more impressive than the Bulls' record is the fact that they are the only NBA team ranked in the top three for point differential (+11.0), rebounds per game (45.4) and points allowed per game (85.8)

So, as the Bulls continue to steamroll opponents despite several minor injuries, many fans believe that the severity of Deng's injury and his immeasurable value will slow the team down.

Well, do not fear and panic. Here are five reasons why the Chicago Bulls and fans alike should not panic about Deng's injury:

Chicago's Finest Brew

The Chicago Bulls' struggles against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last season were primarily attributed to the team's inability to receive significant scoring at the SG position.

Keith Bogans, last season's starter, only managed to average 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, despite starting all 82 games. While his one-on-one defense certainly helped the Bulls' No. 1-ranked defense, his offense was constantly seen as a liability. The need for a proven SG was the top priority for the Bulls' front office this past offseason, and the front office finally delivered on its promise.

The new addition to the team was ex-Piston star Richard Hamilton, whose leadership and lethal shooting helped Detroit win a championship. His off-ball movement on offense that he is notorious for has proved to be a success, as the Bulls currently hold the league's 10th best offense.

However, at 33 years old, Hamilton isn't guaranteed to stay healthy. He has already missed a significant amount of games this year, and Ronnie Brewer has been the one to fill in when Hamilton's injured.

In 19 games this season, Brewer is averaging 7.2 points and almost three rebounds per game. He has also scored in double figures in half of his starts this season as well, partially due to his .500 percent three point percentage. Since Deng is officially out now, Brewer will be the one to take Deng's starting spot at SF.

At 6"7", Brewer has the length and speed to play lock down one-on-one defense, as well as hit the open jumpshot on offense.

Don't worry, folks. Chicago's "finest brew" is more than capable of providing quality play in Deng's absence.

Strength of Schedule

The Chicago Bulls are currently 16-3, good for the NBA's best record. Out of the 16 wins, five have been against .500+ teams. Part of the reason why the Bulls are being considered the team to beat in the NBA is due to the success the team has had despite several injuries, especially those to Derrick Rose (toe) and Richard Hamilton (groin).

Granted, the competition hasn't been extremely difficult (last nine wins have been against teams with losing records), the good news is that the schedule is going to stay the same after this week.

Starting with a home showdown tomorrow night against the Indiana Pacers, who are playing at an elite level this year, the Bulls will have to go into Miami on Sunday to face the slumping Miami Heat in what is certain to be the NBA's biggest game thus far. After Miami, the Bulls will go into Philadelphia to face the red-hot 76ers to round out the Bulls' most challenging week so far this season.

However, after the Bulls face the 76ers on February 1st, they don't play another winning team until February 20th, when they play the Atlanta Hawks at home. And while games against the disappointing Celtics and Knicks can certainly be losses for Deng-less Bulls, the fact remains that the Bulls will only face four winning teams in the next month.

Also, there is a strong possibility that Luol Deng will return in a couple of weeks. Add that to the fact that the Bulls are approaching the softest part of their schedule this year, and you have a huge a confidence booster to a team whose confidence is already through the roof.

Bench Mob: The Return of Don Watson

For a second in the general manger's office, Gar Forman considered going to Rucker Park to find someone to come play point guard for the Bulls in a moment best described as "chaotic sweating."

However, after Forman found out that veteran Mike James was still playing basketball, he quickly called up the vet from the Erie Bayhawks to back up their other back up point guard C.J. Watson, who was starting in place of the injured Derrick Rose.

In Saturday's game against the Bobcats, James surprisingly tallied up nine points and 10 assists, and hit several key shots to keep the Bulls on top.

While I don't mean to sound like I'm writing a biography on the triumphant return of Mike James, the point here is that the Bulls' bench is beyond deep. In my eyes, it runs deeper than an abyssal plain. I mean, how many NBA teams in league history can say they had FOUR point guards go off for eight or more assists on separate nights? Bring a case of water and a box of package-ready food. You'll be on Basketball-Reference for quite some time.

However, the most unique part of the Bulls' bench is the way the bench players can step up into the starting lineup and mimic the starter they are filling in for.

C.J. Watson, in three games playing for the previously injured Derrick Rose, averaged 16.3 points and six assists a game. Omer Asik, in replace of the injured Joakim Noah, grabbed 15 rebounds against the Bobcats. And when Richard Hamilton went down to a groin injury, Ronnie Brewer stepped in and started 11 games, scoring double-digit figures in half of those games.

Now with C.J. back leading the bench, the bench will feel more comfortable with their floor general back in the rotation. All the players on Chicago's bench know their role, and with Luol Deng out now, the bench is going to have to keep embarrassing other NBA benches in order for the Bulls to keep winning.

Carlos Boozer Is Finally Coming Around

With all the injuries surrounding the Bulls lately, you have got to be asking yourself, "When is Carlos Boozer due back?"

Now I know this may shock a few folks out there, but Carlos Boozer has been healthy all year. Yes, I know you expected Boozer to be injured on the bench that was starting to resemble the Tunesquad in the fourth quarter of the final game in the movie Space Jam. However, Boozer is healthier than ever. And he is finally starting to look like the PF the Bulls envisioned he would be.

In the last six games—in which the Bulls are 5-1—Boozer has been averaging 19.5 points and almost 10 rebound per game. While his stat line has been gaudy lately, Boozer has been doing this despite the injuries to the team.

Against the Suns, Boozer put up 31 points and had the offense rolling early. Then he goes out against the Cavaliers and puts up one of the most impressive individual performances all year by a Bull, scoring 19 points to go along with 14 boards, four assists, two blocks and two steals. The next night, Boozer carried the team, scoring 17 second half points to lead the Bulls past the Bobcats.

However, Boozer did all of that without Rose and displayed leadership qualities that have not been seen since he arrived in Chicago.

There is no question that Boozer is playing at his highest level since being signed by the Bulls. However, the real question seems to be, "Can he keep playing like this?"

Derrick's Back, Tell a Friend.

After missing four straight games due to turf toe, Derrick Rose returned against the New Jersey Nets last night, putting up 22 points and eight assists on 9-16 shooting, en route to a 110-95 spanking of the Jersey boys. Rose looked fantastic in his return, displaying the speed and strength he is celebrated for.

And while Rose's return could not have come at a better time, there are questions still being raised about whether or not Rose will be 100 percent for the rest of the year.

Rose recently told CSN that his toe injury "will likely linger all year," but knows it's something he has to play through. While fans may be concerned about Derrick's health, remember that in a short season like this one, nagging injuries are going to plague everyone, so playing through them is a must.

Also, with the way the Bulls' offense is playing right now, Rose isn't going to have to carry the load by himself like last year. This year's offense is much more efficient and distributed. A type of offense that allows Rose to facilitate the ball and play cautiously will only benefit him later on in the regular season and playoffs.

And while Rose may not be 100 percent right now, it doesn't change the fact that he is the reigning MVP and de facto leader of the Bulls. Derrick doesn't care about a nagging injury.

He wants a title this year, and so do his teammates.