Will Butler join Gasol as Bulls all-stars?
The Bulls will have one all-star participant on Feb. 15. Center Pau Gasol was voted a starter.
Will they get a second player, or third? The answer will arrive soon. The all-star reserves, chosen by coaches, will be announced Thursday on TNT, beginning at 6 p.m.
There are some tough calls this year, especially among players who have missed time with injuries. History has proved that players from winning teams get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to all-stars.
So here are my predictions:
East
Starters: John Wall (Wizards), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), LeBron James (Cavs), Pau Gasol (Bulls), Carmelo Anthony (Knicks).
Jimmy Butler, Bulls: No doubt, coaches love a guy who can average 20 points per game, be one of the league's premier defensive players and never need a rest. Butler probably will be a landslide choice to make his first all-star team. Derrick Rose is a solid candidate, averaging 18.6 points, but probably has shown too much rust in his game to make it this year.
Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and Al Horford, Hawks: Atlanta has dominated the East this season, so these three should be locks. Kyle Korver seems deserving until you actually check the stats and see he's averaging 12.9 points. No one's going to complain if Korver makes it, but he probably won't.
Kyrie Irving, Cavs: Averaging 21.3 points, 5.6 assists - his numbers are just too good to ignore.
Chris Bosh, Heat: The East needs another front-line player and guys such as Washington's Marcin Gortat or Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas don't have the numbers to move ahead of Bosh's 21.3 points per game. Orlando's Nik Vucevic doesn't have the wins. Miami doesn't really deserve a second player, so Dwyane Wade may not make it.
Brandon Knight, Bucks: This spot could easily go to Wade, Korver or Toronto's DeMar DeRozan, but Knight (17.9 points, 5.1 assists) has done a great job of keeping Milwaukee in the playoff hunt.
West
Starters: Stephen Curry (Warriors), Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Blake Griffin (Clippers), Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Marc Gasol (Grizzlies).
James Harden, Rockets: Yes, the league's midseason MVP should make the all-star team. Or at least he's the runner-up to Curry.
Klay Thompson, Warriors: No coach would leave him out after his 52-point game last Friday against the Kings. Golden State merits more than two all-stars, but their third-leading scorer is Marreese Speights, so no.
Kevin Durant, Thunder: Even though he has played in just 21 games, the reigning MVP should be automatic.
LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers: He may still be an injury scratch but is certainly deserving.
Chris Paul, Clippers: He has had better seasons, but has become almost an automatic choice. It wouldn't be a shock if he's left off, since there's so much talent in the West.
DeMarcus Cousins, Kings: Sure, the team success isn't there. But fourth in scoring, third in rebounds should get it done.
Zach Randolph, Grizzlies: The West needs another frontcourt reserve and Randolph has the numbers to join Marc Gasol.
Damien Lillard, Blazers: There will be room for one more guard with Kobe Bryant's injury. Should it be Lillard, Dallas' Monta Ellis or OKC's Russell Westbrook, who has played in 31 of 45 games? I'll say Lillard for both performance and endurance.