Luol Deng was disappointed with missing the Chicago Bulls' last seven playoff games due to complications with his spinal tap procedure, but he also feared for his life during his battle with the issue.

"My body didn’t react well to the spinal tap, I had some serious side effects that not only didn’t allow me to play basketball, but really put my life in danger," Deng said. "It’s something that I wouldn’t want anyone to go through, but when I went through it, I think that basketball became second – especially that because what I went through health wise, my family was very worried.

"I never want to experience something like that again."

Deng has made the NBA All-Star team two straight seasons.