Chicago Bulls: Would You Rather Have Luol Deng or Carmelo Anthony?

On the eve of Luol Deng deservedly receiving his first All-Star selection, it's fitting to compare him with another one of the game's elite small forwards.

Do you remember around a year ago when there were rumors of the Chicago Bulls trading for Carmelo Anthony?

The deal would've likely sent Deng, Joakim Noah, and most likely either Taj Gibson or Omer Asik to the Denver Nuggets for Anthony.  

The main reason the Bulls didn't pursue the deal was because players and management didn't want to part with Noah.  

Now, it's decidedly evident that it was wise to not pull the trigger on this deal. It was wise because the Bulls would've not only let go of Noah, but more importantly waved farewell to "Lieutenant" Deng.

When the Anthony-to-the-Bulls trade was being speculated, it was easy to assume that such a deal was needed for the Bulls to compete with Miami. Derrick Rose needed a "Robin" and 'Melo appeared to fit that role perfectly.

Some fans labored for the Bulls to cast away Noah, Deng and whoever else to land Anthony. Fans yearned for this similarly to what some are currently begging to acquire Dwight Howard.  

Rose + Carmelo = championships was the logic of many fans.

What's vividly clear now is that this logic was flawed. Imagine if the Bulls had packaged Noah, Deng and Gibson to Denver. While they would still be a solid team with Anthony, they wouldn't have the depth and defensive tenacity that they currently possess.

Furthermore, Deng's consistent play, both offensively and defensively, make me curious if he's a better player for the Bulls' gritty style than Anthony.

Some fans may find this argument outlandish.  

Are you saying Luol Deng is better than Carmelo Anthony? 

It would be downright ignorant to say Deng is a more skilled player than Anthony. Carmelo's abilities are rare, and not many can score quite like him.

With that said, his hype is often overdone. He's been injured some this year, but he's currently shooting a dismal 39.9%, while being a member of a lackluster defensive unit in New York.  

Moreover, the Knicks haven't vastly improved since his arrival. While he did win a national championship in college, he hasn't exactly proven to be a winner in the NBA.

With all that said, if the Bulls could handpick between Deng and Anthony, the Bulls' latest All-Star appears to be a better selection.  

Who would've thought that a year ago?

Deng fits the Bulls perfectly because of his ability to defend top-notch opposing wings like LeBron James, and for his offensive production which is never flashy, but always steady.

And Deng brings much more than versatility on the floor. He's a consummate professional and he's essentially a coach's dream. He always gives maximum effort and never complains.

Some may question whether Deng can be Rose's "Robin," but no matter what, give Deng the respect he deserves. He's a bona fide All-Star and he meshes perfectly with Chicago's style of play.

The truth is that Chicago fans shouldn't want their small forward position to look any different than it does now.