Will Bulls get a second all-star?
The all-star reserves will be announced Thursday night during a TNT pregame show. So, obviously, votes from the head coaches are in and nothing the Bulls do late Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers is going to make any difference.
The Bulls own the NBA's fourth-best record, behind San Antonio, Boston and Miami. Clearly, they've earned a second spot on the Eastern Conference all-star squad besides starting guard Derrick Rose.
Whether they actually get a second all-star is in doubt. When the starters were announced last week, six different TNT analysts gave their choice for reserves and none of them chose Bulls forward Luol Deng.
The only person in that group who thought the Bulls deserved a second all-star was NBA TV studio host Matt Winer, and he picked the fictional “Joakim Boozer.”
It's true, center Joakim Noah probably had a good chance of making the all-star team if he'd kept up the level of play he displayed early in the season.
But he suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb Nov. 27, played a few more weeks with diminished statistics, then had surgery Dec. 16. He's not even expected back on the court until after the all-star break, so he's out of the equation.
Power forward Carlos Boozer has a better argument. By statistics alone, his 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and .546 field-goal percentage are all-star caliber. But he has played in 29 games this season and has missed 18 due to a broken right hand and sprained ankle.
Before Wednesday morning's shootaround at UCLA, Boozer made a case for his own cause.
“I know I missed some games with my broken hand,” Boozer said, according to espn.com. “I feel like I am deserving of an all-star appearance, but if not, I'm not going to be disappointed.
“There are so many good players in the NBA, guys that want to be there that won't be there, and if I am there I'll be extremely happy, I'll tell you that.”
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has been pushing Deng as an all-star during the past week. The seventh-year forward is averaging 17.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. He hasn't missed a game, averages more minutes than Rose, and has been one of the team's most consistent defenders.
“I think (Deng) does get overlooked,” Thibodeau said earlier this week. “The things he does for our team, he's had an all-star-type season. His ability to defend multiple positions, to rebound, score, make plays for us. He's done everything for the team. I think those guys sometimes do get overlooked.”
It will be no surprise if Boston supplies four of the seven Eastern Conference reserves. Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are all solid candidates.
Atlanta will get at least one player between Al Horford, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Miami's Chris Bosh has good numbers.
New York guard Raymond Felton has the stats to merit all-star consideration. But teammate Amare Stoudemire was voted a starter and coaches might be reluctant to give the 25-22 Knicks a second all-star. If not Felton, that last spot figures to go to someone from Atlanta or the Bulls.
The Bulls' best argument is the quota system. If Boston has four all-stars and Miami three, why should the 33-14 Bulls get just one?