Rose finally could break long all-star drought

The Bulls should end a 12-year drought when second-year guard Derrick Rose is chosen as a reserve for the Eastern Conference all-star team sometime next week.

Will that actually happen? Hard to say. Rose clearly deserves a spot, but a couple of factors could work against him.

One problem is the fans vote for the starting lineup, and through the fourth set of returns, Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson was in second place with a sizable lead over Orlando's Vince Carter.

The starters will be officially announced Thursday at 7 p.m. on TNT's pregame show.

There should be no quarrel with the other likely East starters - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett.

But Iverson wouldn't be a good candidate for the all-star team if he wasn't voted a starter.

First of all, Iverson started the season in the Western Conference with Memphis, played in three games, then asked to be released. He eventually went back to Philadelphia, where he played most of his career.

In 15 games with the Sixers, he has averaged 15.1 points. Not bad, but not worthy of all-star consideration, especially on a team with a 13-27 record.

Despite getting off to a slow start this season due to a preseason ankle injury, Rose is averaging 19.0 points, 5.9 assists and shooting a very respectable 46.5 percent from the field. So far in January he has posted 22.3 points and 6.9 assists per game.

The other factor that could potentially get in Rose's way is the tendency to reward winning teams, a trend that seemed to increase in recent years. Conference coaches vote for the all-star reserves but can't vote for their own player.

Rose figures to get competition from Cleveland's Mo Williams and Boston's Ray Allen. His stats are better, but those two players might get extra consideration because their teams ranked 1-2 in the East standings through Monday.

Williams is averaging 16.7 points, 5.0 assists and ranks ninth in 3-point shooting percentage at .427. Many would argue that the Cavs need two all-stars because they're the best team in the East.

Williams is the only real candidate because no one should be foolish enough to vote for center Shaquille O'Neal and his 10.5-point scoring average.

The Celtics figure to have two players already, assuming Garnett is voted a starter and forward Paul Pierce (18.6 points) gets his usual nod.

Carter is a potential candidate, but he doesn't deserve an all-star spot. He's averaging 16.8 points but shooting a lowly 38.6 percent.

An argument could be made that Carter's addition has brought the Magic down. Orlando won 59 games last season but is on a 52-30 pace this year.

Teammate Rashard Lewis missed the first 10 games due to a suspension and is averaging 14.0 points, so the Magic should not get a second player on the all-star team with Howard.

As far as the players who deserve to be East reserves, Toronto's Chris Bosh, Atlanta's Joe Johnson and Charlotte's Gerald Wallace should be locks.

Rose and Pierce have a great chance, while the other two big man slots also could come down to the winning-record argument.

Based solely on who is having the best season, Washington's Antawn Jamison (22.7 points, 8.9 rebounds) and New York's David Lee (19.1 points, 11.2 rebounds) should be all-stars.

On the other hand, the Wizards were 14-26 and the Knicks 17-24 through Monday.

A strong argument could be made for Atlanta's Al Horford (13.7 points, 9.8 rebounds). Bulls center Joakim Noah (12.3 rebounds, 11.1 points) is in the picture but appears to be a longshot unless more than one injury replacement is needed.

"It's definitely an honor to play in a game like that," Noah said recently. "Regardless if I make it or not, I think it's going to be OK. I'll be somewhere warm, so don't feel too bad for me."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Bulls game day</p>

<p class="News">Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center, 9:30 p.m. Wednesday</p>

<p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Channel 9</p>

<p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WMVP 1000-AM</p>

<p class="News"><b>Update:</b> The Clippers (18-22) have won seven of their last eight home games and the one loss was a 102-101 squeaker to Cleveland. Their top scorer is center Chris Kaman, who is averaging 20.4 points and 9.3 rebounds. Second-year guard Eric Gordon is at 17.4 points, followed by veteran Baron Davis at 16.2. Top draft pick Blake Griffin is out for the season after having knee surgery. The Bulls have won three of their last four road games against the Clippers.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Next:</b> Friday vs. Phoenix Suns at U.S. Airways Center, 9:30 p.m.</p>