Luol Deng and Meningitis - Yes the Bulls are a walking infirmary

Question

While Nate and Taj no longer are vomiting into garbage cans during playoff games (expect both to be ok today), Luol Deng has what is really a life-threatening illness if conditions worsen. He'll be fine in the long-run given the care he's getting but I see no way he gets on the court today.

Read the following:

It really upsets me that everyone thinks I would miss a game bc of the flu. I've played a lot of games w the flu in my career.
— Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9)May 3, 2013

On Wed I was taken to the ER and my symptoms indicated I may have meningitis In order to play on Thurs I was ...m.tmi.me/Uagd5 — Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9) May 3, 2013

As a result of the spinal tap I suffered the worst headache I've ever experienced and been the weakest I've ever felt.
— Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9)May 3, 2013

Yesterday I was unable to walk or even get out of bed. I made it to the UC and was sent home. This morning my symptoms worsened. — Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9) May 3, 2013

If I'm medically cleared I will fly to NY to be with my team and try to win game 7
— Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9)May 3, 2013

scalabrine · Answer

While Nate and Taj no longer are vomiting into garbage cans during playoff games (expect both to be ok today), Luol Deng has what is really a life-threatening illness if conditions worsen. He'll be fine in the long-run given the care he's getting but I see no way he gets on the court today.

Read the following:

It really upsets me that everyone thinks I would miss a game bc of the flu. I've played a lot of games w the flu in my career.
— Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9)May 3, 2013

On Wed I was taken to the ER and my symptoms indicated I may have meningitis In order to play on Thurs I was ...m.tmi.me/Uagd5 — Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9) May 3, 2013

As a result of the spinal tap I suffered the worst headache I've ever experienced and been the weakest I've ever felt.
— Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9)May 3, 2013

Yesterday I was unable to walk or even get out of bed. I made it to the UC and was sent home. This morning my symptoms worsened. — Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9) May 3, 2013

If I'm medically cleared I will fly to NY to be with my team and try to win game 7
— Luol Deng (@LuolDeng9)May 3, 2013

Mad_Skillz123 · Answer

heis crucial and i think chicago can win even without hitm. 7 points are alot and Taj is also nice to be back.im on Chicago&#x2B;7

scalabrine · Answer

First sign if meningitis?Massive headache...he has already disclosed he has one.And he&#x27;s getting spinal taps for god&#x27;s sake. Spinal taps!There is 0.5% chance he will be &#x27;medically cleared&#x27; to play by tip IMO. Meningitis also causes extreme weakness. Can&#x27;t see how he&#x27;d be cleared and even if he was, how he would be effective.Hinrich? Walking gingerly. He&#x27;s gonna need a gallon of cortisone to mask any pain. I see him as a no-go too based on what I am reading so if you bet this game, expect the exact same lineup as game 6 with a healthier Nate and Taj.

scalabrine · Answer

Can&#x27;t fault ya for that bet based on what I saw last game...

Mad_Skillz123 · Answer

it will be a low scoring game and in those situations 7 is a lot. Only last minute FTs can f*ck the cover imo

3BallBomber · Answer

cheers for the info

scalabrine · Answer

I am hesitant because of these injuries. Go look at their bench in the boxscore last game. NONE. No bench with all these players out. Tough to back a team without a bench.

scalabrine · Answer

I don&#x27;t consider Rip, Nazr and an emergency rookie &#x27;a bench&#x27; especially not in the playoffs.

KasperNV · Answer

I am pretty sure there will be other players (Bulls) that will be effected by this. I am not going to take a chance on the Bulls. BOL for those that risk this bet

Jerseyboy89 · Answer

no play for me, it&#x27;s bulls or no play and not putting money on the bulls without Deng.

mightiestmojo · Answer

Thank you for the info.

capperator · Answer

Nets ml bulls &#x2B;7 middle the game

scalabrine · Answer

I agree. I would rather have Deng and Hinrich in the lineup and take the Bulls straight up than grab 7 and back this team, who will fight as we have seen them do, but have no bench, their leading scorer out, a 3rd string point guard starting and its best defender hobbled.As good as the Bulls have been in this series, there are too many unknowns here.

scalabrine · Answer

Nets ML is too big. I would pick a side if I absolutely had to bet on the game than pay that price.

scalabrine · Answer

And now a brief interlude from Deng&#x27;s meningitis with some words from Joakim Noah:I&#x2019;m ready to play,&#x2019;&#x2019; Noah said. &#x201C;I want to go play right now. That&#x2019;s my emotions. We&#x2019;re a team of fighters, you know. We keep getting punched in the face, but we fight back. I&#x2019;m proud of this team, and we&#x2019;re going to go into a hostile environment in Brooklyn and we&#x2019;re going to win.&#x2019;&#x2019;

scalabrine · Answer

More bravado from Noah:"We felt like we had our opportunities (in Game 6)," Noah said. "Just couldn&#x2019;t close it out and just got to move forward, look where we could have done better. That&#x2019;s what we did today. Shot some free throws and ready to kick some behind."

scalabrine · Answer

Tom Thibodeau on game 7:"All the same things that you need to do in any game &#x2013; defend, rebound, low turnovers, inside-out, share the ball, play to your strengths, cover up your weaknesses, take no possessions off, just go play by play," Thibodeau said of the Game 7 approach."What wins is the work you put into it. It&#x2019;s not going to be done on hope, talk, fans or any of that stuff. Whether you win or lose will be determined by what you do on the floor, and that&#x2019;s the only thing you should be concentrating on. Concentrate on doing your job, going play-by-play, and giving maximum effort. That&#x2019;s all we&#x2019;re asking anyone to do.&#x2019;&#x2019;

scalabrine · Answer

According to the Chicago Tribune last night, it appears Nate and Taj are not even 100%:Nate Robinson and Taj Gibson are stronger as they continue to battle their viruses, while Joakim Noah, continues to improve from plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

scalabrine · Answer

JUST CONFIRMED 8 minutes ago:Deng is out:https://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/9241700/2013-nba-playoffs-luols-deng-chicago-bulls-ruled-illness-game-7?utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter

TheSituation559 · Answer

This team is strong and has heart. They never quit. They just keep pushing and pushing. Every one of them deserve their paycheck minue derrick Rose. He deserves an as&#39;s whipping.