Deng looks for a more consistent season

Amid seemingly nonstop turbulence, the Heat were fortunate to have someone as reliable as Luol Deng last year. He spent more time on the court than any other player, a significant feat given that hardly anyone could stay healthy, and steadied them at both ends of the court.

For Deng, though, last season felt like trying to solve an algebra problem while the numbers kept changing. It was difficult enough adjusting to a new system and new teammates after a decade with Chicago, and that process became far more arduous as injuries forced Miami to shuffle its rotation.

“It’s very hard to judge what I can do from last year,” Deng said. “It was a year where you saw Luol Deng at his best and Luol Deng at his worst. There wasn’t consistency … As long as we keep the group together and everyone is healthy, you’ll be able to see a more consistent me.”

As long as he stays healthy, this season should be better. Deng, 30, has a stronger grasp of what coach Erik Spoelstra wants from him and a better handle on playing with guys like Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, plus his teammates have a clearer understanding of how to best utilize Deng’s natural abilities.

“He’s just more comfortable,” Wade said. “Does that mean there’s gonna be an explosion in his production? No one knows that, but I think mentally he’s in a better place.

“I want to take a lot more 3s this year,” Deng said. “I’m shooting a lot every day to make it more a part of my game. I’m challenging myself to get my percentage even higher this year.”

If Deng gets better from 3 and gets back to the game that made him one of the elite small forwards in the NBA, he could be even more important to the Heat than he was last season.