<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK, May 3, 2007 ? Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the 2006-07 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner, the NBA announced today. Originally presented following the 1995-96 season, the Sportsmanship Award honors a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity. The trophy is named for former Detroit Pistons guard and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, the award?s first recipient. Deng, also a Central Division nominee for the 2005-06 season, was one of six divisional winners, including Atlanta?s Joe Johnson (Southeast), Houston?s Shane Battier (Southwest), the Los Angeles Clippers? Elton Brand (Pacific), Toronto?s Anthony Parker (Atlantic) and Utah?s Derek Fisher (Northwest). Brand won the award in 2005-06. The NBA will donate $25,000 on behalf of Luol Deng to Pacific Garden Mission, which is the oldest continuously-operating rescue mission in the country. The NBA will donate another $10,000 each to the divisional winners? charities of choice: Toronto Raptors Foundation on behalf of Parker; Boys and Girls Club in Little Rock, Ark. on behalf of Johnson; Boys and Girls Club of Houston on behalf of Shane Battier; Fisher Fellows of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and C.A.M.P. Inc of Peekskill, N.Y. on Brand?s behalf. For the third consecutive year, NBA players voted on this award, with eleven points given for each first-place vote, nine points for each second-place vote, seven points for third, five points for fourth, three points for fifth and one point for each sixth place vote received. Each team nominated one of its players for this award, then former NBA stars Mike Bantom, Eddie Johnson, Tom "Satch" Sanders, Kenny Smith and the 2000-01 Sportsmanship Award recipient Steve Smith, selected the six divisional winners from a pool of 30 team nominees. Attached is a list of this year?s voting totals and all-time winners of the NBA Sportsmanship Award: </div> http://www.nba.com/news/deng_sportsmanship_070503.html
Deng has really done so much for the league, both on and off the court, since being drafted. The guy is a superstar in the making, I'm really hoping we can continue this playoff run, if we beat the Pistons I think everyone will begin to take us seriously.
On Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Luol Deng was interviewed and expressed how this is "a very important award to win" and that it meant a lot to him. It "meant more then on the court awards could offer" in his view. A few players on his team were asked if they voted for him and most did, except Ben Wallace. Who did Big Ben vote for then, you may wonder? "Nah man, I voted for Noce," said Wallace. lol The Pistons players were also interviewed today and asked if of their opinions on the upcoming series. They're extremely confident, but they respect their upcoming opponents. <div class="quote_poster">Detroit Madness Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Congrats Deng. I never noticed he was such a good sport.</div> A lot of people don't notice our players, not even the media obviously.
<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">when we make it past the pistons</div> If a Miracle happens and we make it past the Pistons.
<div class="quote_poster">Detroit Madness Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If a Miracle happens and we make it past the Bulls.</div> There we go.
<div class="quote_poster">Detroit Madness Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If a Miracle happens and we make it past the Pistons.</div> I cant wait til the bulls win this series. then its bye bye Billups
