NBA All-Star Game

Sam Smith

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday the league is comfortable and satisfied the way the Bulls dealt with the Bobby Portis/Nikola Mirotic incident.

Portis received an eight-game suspension for punching Mirotic during a scrimmage. It is one of the longest team suspensions in league history. Mirotic remains out recovering from his injuries. Portis Friday against the Pacers played his second game since returning and scored 20 points. It was the first time in his NBA career he's scored 20 points or more in back to back games.

"I think they handled it the right way," Silver said of the Bulls. "The only part of the process I was involved in was deferring to the team to deal with discipline in a situation like that. And my view was that if the basketball operations people at the league thought it was getting proper attention from the team, the league did not need to step in."

Silver was in Chicago for the official announcement of the 2020 All-Star game being played in the United Center. After a media conference, Silver met with reporters and discussed several topics, including the Portis situation, the previous hesitancy of the Bulls to embrace All-Star weekend and the lottery reform that goes into effect in 2019.

"It (Chicago's interest in hosting the game) surprised me a little bit given Jerry's (Reinsdorf, managing partner) longstanding opposition," said Silver. But Mayor Emanuel was very persuasive. And I, of course, talked to Jerry at the time and he clearly had mellowed a bit over the years. I think especially now with Michael (Reinsdorf) in day-to-day operations being in favor of bringing it here, I think Jerry said, ‘If everyone wants it here, it should be here.'"

The NBA recently agreed to lower the odds for the team's with the poorest records to get the top picks starting in 2019. Silver without mentioning the felonious tactics of the Philadelphia 76ers, said action was needed because of the stain on the league of teams coming to believe purposely losing games was in their best interests.

"Draft lottery reform was important to me because I think our teams were going down a path where even if they didn't think a perpetual rebuild was the right strategy for winning a championship, there seemed to be enormous pressure on them from fans and other people in the basketball community as if that were the only way to build a team," said Silver. "It felt to us at least that the existing odds for the first, second and third picks were almost too tempting. So, we changed the odds. This isn't the first time we've tinkered with the draft lottery. It's a compromise of sorts but I think it will appropriately focus teams on winning, which is first and foremost what they should be doing. I think this will work itself out, that coaches and gms will realize it's a balance and a race to the bottom is not the way to a championship team."

Silver did concede most season ticket holders would lose out on attending the game, which always was the Bulls' objection.

"It does potentially displace some season ticket holders," Silver acknowledged. It's part of the issue for the home team. We're bringing in people from all over the world. We, of course, need those seats. What's helped since 1988 is because we now have all these other events, whether it be a rookie/sophomore game on Friday night or a celebrity game and huge Jam session in town, it creates other opportunities, frankly, to take care of the season ticket holders. My sense for the season ticket holders, many of them whom I've talked to, I don't think their ultimate deal is, ‘We'd rather not have it all if we can't have our same seats.' I think they still appreciate what it means for the community and team to bring All-Star festivities to Chicago."

Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf also met in an informal session with media confirmed the team doesn't share in any revenue or profits with an All-Star game, that it becomes the league's event and the league runs it. Michael Reinsdorf said it's still good for Chicago basketball.

"Having the All-Star Game brings a lot of excitement to the city of Chicago, a lot of people talking basketball," he said. "When people are talking basketball, they're obviously going to be talking about the Chicago Bulls. I think it can be really helpful. But most importantly, bringing the All-Star Game here to Chicago really benefits the city of Chicago, the economic and cultural impact. The way we're looking at this, this is what's good for the city of Chicago."

As for the Bulls now, Michael Reinsdorf said he's confident about the way the Bulls are proceeding.

"I'm not normally the spokesperson on basketball stuff," he said. "We're only a few weeks in. Lauri's (Markkanen) playing really well. So far we're happy. When Zach (LaVune) comes back, that's going to be a big indication. Kris (Dunn) just came back from an injury. We have to see, but right now, we're happy. The team is playing really hard. Fred's (Hoiberg) got them playing really hard. It's not going unnoticed. There's certain sports writers in this city that have written positive articles about the way the team is playing right now. Hopefully, the fans will start to take notice. Because we know this isn't necessarily about wins and losses this year, but we do want to make sure the team and the players are trying their hardest to win games and giving their best effort. Because that's kind of the mentality the city of Chicago has and the fans: Work hard and let's see what happens. As far as the rebuild, the Cubs did a great job with their rebuild, the White Sox are in the midst of their rebuild, and I think the fans understand that's kind of the nature of sports."

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Silver, Reinsdorf met with media following 2020 NBA All-Star Game press conference

childukich

CHICAGO, Nov. 10, 2017 – The NBA announced today that Chicago has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2020.  The 69th annual game will take place at the United Center, home of the six-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls, on Sunday, Feb. 16.  This will mark the third NBA All-Star in Chicago, which held the annual celebration in 1973 and 1988.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement during a press conference at the United Center.  He was joined by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Bulls President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. (27th Ward) and Chicago Sports Commission Executive Director Kara Bachman.  

“Chicago is an iconic city with a storied basketball history.  We are thrilled to bring the NBA All-Star Game back,” said Silver.  “We thank Mayor Emanuel, Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf and the entire Bulls organization and look forward to an exciting week of activities celebrating the game of basketball.”

Chicago will follow Los Angeles in 2018 and Charlotte in 2019 as All-Star host.  NBA All-Star Game 2017 in New Orleans reached fans in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages. 

“We are honored that the NBA has selected Chicago to host All-Star 2020,” said Michael Reinsdorf.  “Because the game of basketball has such deep roots and a rich history in this city, with some of the most passionate sports fans in the country, we know it will be a successful event for everyone involved.  Our expanded United Center campus and arena renovations with new restaurants and retail will provide visitors the opportunity to enjoy a fan-friendly environment.”

“Chicago is looking forward to hosting NBA All-Star 2020 and welcoming players and fans from across the country and around the world to our great city,” said Emanuel.  “Chicago is a global hub for sports, entertainment and culture.  Bringing the NBA All-Star Game back to the city for the first time in over three decades is a win for our city, our businesses and fans of all ages who will have the chance to be part of one of basketball’s biggest events.” 

In addition to the All-Star Game, the United Center will be the venue for the Rising Stars Challenge – an annual showcase for top rookies and second-year players – on Friday, Feb. 14, as well as State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, which features the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the JBL Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk.  In 2020, TNT will be televising the All-Star Game in prime time for the 18th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 35th year of All-Star coverage.   

The new Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky starting next season, will host the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and Rising Stars and All-Star Game practices.  In partnership with the Chicago Sports Commission, the NBA will also hold several events for fans of all ages at venues throughout the city, including Navy Pier.  These events will feature interactive programming that brings fans closer to NBA and WNBA players and legends. 

“It’s a true privilege, as well as a testament to Chicago’s great basketball history, to be selected to host NBA All-Star 2020,” said Bachman.  “Chicago’s dedicated and experienced hoteliers will welcome the NBA and NBA fans in true Midwestern spirit.   NBA fans will have the opportunity to experience the renovated and expanded United Center campus, the brand-new Wintrust Arena and Chicago’s landmark Navy Pier, which will host a variety of events for the local fans.”

During NBA All-Star 2020, the NBA will continue to celebrate its tradition and commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events.  Through partnerships with schools, government and local nonprofit organizations in Chicago and surrounding areas, the league will reach thousands of children and families and provide important resources to community-based programs. 

Chicago last hosted NBA All-Star in 1988, when the Bulls’ Michael Jordan electrified his hometown crowd at Chicago Stadium.  He outdueled the Atlanta Hawks’ Dominique Wilkins to win a spectacular Slam Dunk Contest, and the next day Jordan scored 40 points to earn MVP honors in the Eastern Conference’s 138-133 victory over the Western Conference in the All-Star Game.  The weekend also featured a third consecutive Three-Point Contest title for the Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird, who famously raised a finger in the air in celebration before his final, competition-clinching shot dropped through the net.    

During the Windy City’s debut as NBA All-Star host, the East defeated the West 104-84 in the 1973 midseason classic at Chicago Stadium.  Boston’s Dave Cowens was named MVP after leading the East with 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Los Angeles Lakers teammates Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, who combined for 27 All-Star selections, each appeared in an All-Star Game for the last time. 

chicago-to-host-nba-all-star-2020

Chicago to host NBA All-Star 2020

Bulls.com

The NBA All-Star game first was played in 1951 in Boston. It has produced some of the most stirring and spirited performances in sport. It will return to Chicago for the third time in 2020, the first time in the United Center. It will be the 69th All-Star game. Here’s a look at one view of the 10 greatest All-Star games.

This was the Hall of Fame on parade with a record number of future Hall of Famers with Russell backing up Wilt for the East, Robertson, Baylor, West, Wilkens, Sam Jones, Havlicek, Dave Bing, Willis Reed. It was one of many games in Madison Square Garden and a 144-124 East victory. Wilt was back in the East after finally going out West and having All-Star faceoffs with Russell. The first was in 1963 when Wilt went to the San Francisco Warriors. They faced off three straight seasons and Russell’s East team won each time. Wilt set his All Star scoring record of 42 points in the 1962 game in the season he averaged 50 points and scored 100 in one game.

He didn’t play, but his soulful pregame rendition of the national anthem was probably the best ever performed at a sporting event and just about made secondary a game featuring the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, David Thompson, Julius Erving, Isiah Thomas, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and George Gervin. But it also was probably the start of a decade long example of All-Star games at their best, a combination of competitive excellence and showmanship without one ceding to the other. Johnson and Thomas directed high powered offenses with creativity and thrilling athletes. The East won 132-123 as Erving had 25 points.

Jerry West was getting to the end of a career in which his image effectively became the logo for the NBA and his amazing scoring almost, but not quite, overcame the Celtics’ dynasty. West would get that title the following season. But with salaries still limited and players still fighting for free agency and even the stars playing under unguaranteed contracts, the winner’s share was important financially. West made a 20 footer at the buzzer for a 112-110 West win in a physical, no layups type game.

It was the game that almost wasn’t played and when it was the East won 111-107 behind 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists from Oscar Roberston, who had a triple double almost every game he played though no one too notice. But after years of getting nowhere in labor talks with owners, the players agreed to sit out the first nationally televised All-Star game. Owners were furious. Lakers’ owner Bob Short told Elgin Baylor and Jerry West they’d be banned from basketball. The players behind Tommy Heinsohn held firm and got an agreement that eventually led to the first pension plan and the first modern sports labor movement.

This was the second stage of the modern NBA. The first was the arrival of the great black players in the late 1950s into the 1960s with Russell, Baylor, Chamberlain, Robertson, Wilkens and then Frazier, Monroe, Unseld and Reed. Then it was taking the NBA airborne with the ABA high fliers like Dr. J, David Thompson, George McGinnis, Larry Kenon, and players like George Gervin, Artis Gilmore and Dan Issel. Though the NBA minimized the ABA, in the first All-Star game after the 1976 merger there were eight former ABA players and Rick Barry, who played much of his career in the ABA. The West with the majority of ABA players won 125-124.

It was Jordan’s final All-Star game, and he almost was MVP. He probably would have been with a fadeaway with five seconds left that looked like it won the game. But Kobe Bryant, always trying to upstage Jordan, attempted a three for the winner. He was fouled, made two and the game went into overtime. Jordan was selected as a reserve, but Vince Carter gave up his starting spot for him as Doug Collins would years before in John Havlicek’s last All-Star game. There were Jordan tributes at halftime and throughout to Jordan, but his legs couldn’t carry him through two overtimes. Kevin Garnett got hot on the way to 37 points and MVP. The West won 156-145. Jordan had 20. Allen Iverson had 35 for the East.

The game still was a contest, and it had competitors like Iverson to make sure. Iverson led the league in scoring that season and carried the 76ers to the Finals against the Lakers and was MVP. It was a Lilliputian East team that was supposed to be dominated by a West team with Duncan, Webber, Garnett, David Robinson and Shaq, though Shaq sat out injured. The East started Anthony Mason and Antonio Davis up front. With the East trailing by 21 with nine minutes left, Iverson took over with 15 of his 25 points and led the East to a 111-110 victory. Kobe Bryant had a last shot, but passed to Tim Duncan who missed.

This was the return of Johnson to basketball after he shockingly retired before the 1991-92 season with the HIV virus. That game is celebrated perhaps more for the public message about HIV and AIDS than the game, though the close was dramatic and heart warming with Johnson making a three. Much of the public and many NBA players then feared contagion. But both Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas embraced Johnson with instances of isolated one-on-one duels in the game. Many of these lists consider it the best All-Star game ever. It is for a lesson in empathy. Johnson’s West team won 153-113 and MVP Johnson led with 25 points.

No league does spectacle like the NBA, and this was overwhelming. The league revealed its 50 greatest players of all time and 47 of the 50 were present and appeared for a spectacular halftime welcome. Pete Maravich had passed away. Jerry West was having surgery and Shaquille O’Neal was ill. Michael Jordan recorded the first triple double in All-Star game history and Glen Rice was MVP as the East won 132-120.

Though Jordan was already an NBA star, this was his coming out party and introduction as the heir to the greats of the game. Jordan won the dunk contest in spectacular form over Dominique Wilkins, was All-Star game MVP with a near record 40 points and that season would go on to be named the rare double of league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Jordan still wasn’t winning titles, but he was now being considered the game’s best player. Jordan’s East team won 138-133.

here-are-the-ten-greatest-nba-all-star-games

Here are the Ten Greatest NBA All-Star Games

So if you think the Bulls defense has been bad….

Consider that the best defender on the floor Sunday night in the annual NBA All Star game probably was the Bulls’ Pau Gasol, shooting four of the seven total free throws taken in the game and second in rebounds per minute in the abomination 196-173 Western Conference victory.

The total points surpassed by 48 the previous record; there were 139 three pointers attempted, 17 by MVP Russell Westbrook and 19 of his 26 shots by Paul George, who had 41 points, one short of Wilt Chamberlain’s All-Star game record. Five West players scored at least 23 points.

It’s fairly likely Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson sitting courtside has to retrain their projectile vomiting.

“You don’t anticipate (a score like that),” agreed Gasol, who had nine points and seven rebounds in about 15 minutes and was tied for third best plus/minus on the losing East team. “You know this game they are not known for their defense, but today it was a little more absent; let’s put it that way.”

You might say competition took a long leave of absence in this game headlined as the All-Star farewell for Kobe Bryant.

Though for Gasol and his Bulls teammates, including Jimmy Butler sidelined as an East All-Star and sitting on the bench in a sport coat, the competition becomes intense pretty quickly.

And with the fate of a season perhaps at hand.

The Bulls without injured Butler and Nikola Mirotic, Joakim Noah out for the season and Taj Gibson suffering foot and ankle complications in the last game, open the unofficial second half/stretch run of the season in Cleveland Thursday for a national TNT game and then back home Friday to face second-in-the-East Toronto.

Then Sunday it’s Kobe in his farewell in Chicago and the Bulls back at it next week against East contenders Washington and in Atlanta before a tough back-to-back road trip to Florida.

It’s a difficult stretch with the Bulls badly shorthanded and perhaps the fate of their season resting in the next few weeks with two starters and the sixth man out.

Though Gasol reveled in Sunday’s Kobe finale, including a late game faceoff which they had discussed pregame, Gasol also knows it’s a critical time for his Bulls team with the spotlight brightest on he and Derrick Rose with Butler and Mirotic out.

“Everyone’s responsibility goes up when big players are out,” Gasol acknowledged. “It starts with the main players on the team; it starts with Derrick, starts with me. So we have to make sure we are set up to play, set the tone for the rest of the guys to follow.

“All the guys available have to approach the situation knowing that they are going to have an opportunity,” said Gasol. “They are going to have significant minutes and they have to produce. Everyone can do certain things; at least do them as well as you can. See if we can develop some rhythm, better chemistry with everyone on the floor; utilize the next two days we have practice before the Cleveland game to build how we want to play the next few games; and when we get guys back we will welcome them with big arms.”

That didn’t sound like anytime soon with Mirotic’s appendix surgery complications and Butler saying this weekend he had to listen to his body and be careful he doesn’t suffer another injury. Which couldn’t come at a tougher time with the Bulls having lost 13 of 18 games, four straight and five in a row at home.

“Emotionally it has been tough,” admitted Gasol. “We’ve taken some hits the last couple of weeks. It’s been a challenge, but I think this break should help us (with) a refreshment emotionally and help us in the next stretch fully energized and see what we can do.

“I think everybody will be eager to go back to work, to lock into the last 30 games of the season starting with the first one on Thursday,” said Gasol. “Play as hard as we can, play as together as we can and find some rhythm with confidence and understand everyone on the floor has to contribute and help the team do what it needs to do to win games.”

It’s going to take some inspired basketball, little of which anyone saw in an All-Star game shockingly devoid of competition. Sometimes these things drag for a half with lob dunk highlight type plays. But this one never threatened the least bit of competition with it being much closer to a game of HORSE competition than a contest with little effort to prevent anyone from scoring and the offense essentially limited to unimpeded lob dunks and three pointers.

Before the game, the NBA featured a dubbed in video of founder James Naismith talking about the essence of the game of trying to score and the other team trying to stop them from scoring.

Hey, that’s not my game, he may have thought if he were watching from somewhere.

Though it mostly became a testament to the career of Bryant, going through a season long farewell tour and in his 18th and final All-Star game with four All-Star MVPs.

Bryant didn’t attempt to go for the expected fifth as he had 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds and engaged in a few personal faceoffs, like the jump ball to start the game against LeBron James, later a little one-on-one with James—James stopped him—and one-on-one in the only other defense with former teammate Gasol.

“I had a blast playing with those guys, laughing and joking with them on the bench,” said Bryant afterward. “And I got a chance to stop Pau in the post, redeem myself from what he did to me when Chicago came to town (21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in Bulls blowout win). All those things are fun. I had a great time, a great, great time.”

Michael Jordan even was there, post game, anyway, to accept the All-Star host torch for the game going to Charlotte next year.

Bryant received multiple ovations throughout the game with video tributes as all the players commented on his influence on the game and their careers.

Gasol perhaps understood that best in teaming with Bryant for three straight Finals appearances and two titles after the Bryant breakup with Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant so angry about his circumstances there even were rumors he wanted to be traded to the Bulls. But the Lakers didn’t blink, and they came up with Gasol to present to Bryant. The rest became a continuation of Lakers’ history and Bryant evolving happily to the end of his career with grace and dignity.

“It was fun, nice to be there to be able to live this moment and share this moment with all the guys, and especially with Kobe and being his last game, really cool experience, different from different All Star (games); blessed and happy to be there,” said Gasol. “I like to compete and play the right way even though these games are sometimes difficult to do that, but I managed to try to get myself going and get a little conditioning in there. Play the game the way I know how to play.

“We talked about (going head-to-head) before the game, to say if we were out there the same time to guard each other and kind of post each other up and see who would be successful and who would score on the other,” said Gasol with a laugh. “We both got a shot at it and none of us scored. So it was fun, a cool moment from us.

“I said I was so happy for him, that he deserved everything he was getting and just happy, happy to see him get this type of love and recognition, proud of him for his career, all he’s accomplished, all he’s given to the game,” said Gasol. “Thankful to see him honored. I was able to share a part of my career with his career together, a great experience. It was nice to be out there and celebrate the moment with him, the tributes he received from the NBA, the league, from the fans was emotional and special.

“At this point of his life and career he understands that the older you get the bigger the gap is with the younger players,” noted Gasol. “And when he was talking about playing his first All-Star game some of these players were in preschool or kindergarten, which is pretty unbelievable. Here he is playing his last All-Star game with these kids who were three or four years old when he started.

“We had an incredible run together,” said Gasol. “We had three years you wish and dream of when you come into this league, have a chance of winning titles and togetherness as a team with that specialness that allows you to do that. Winning two titles during those years were one of the highlights of my career.”

Gasol had been hoping for more of those highlights with the Bulls when, despite Bryant’s pleas and a larger salary, Gasol left Bryant and the Lakers after the 2013-14 season. Gasol still has a chance, but it starts Thursday with a lot of pressure against the greatest of odds and against the greatest of talents in Cleveland against LeBron James.

Probably going to need some better defense for that.

west-wins-kobe-leaves-pau-wonders-about-the-bulls

West wins, Kobe leaves, Pau wonders about the Bulls

The story in some respects Sunday at the first NBA All-Star game played outside the United States is the story of the international sports icon, NBA champion and perennial All-Star who probably is playing in his last NBA All-Star game.

”Just proud, proud and humbled by everything I’ve been able to accomplish,” Bulls center Pau Gasol said as he prepared for his sixth All-Star game. “I’m still playing at a very, very high level and recognized for it. I could never have dreamed of a career like this. But the fact is it’s been an incredible journey and I intend to prolong it for a few more years and I am definitely proud.

“No way you can imagine (this kind of career),” acknowledged Gasol, the native of Barcelona. “There was one Spanish player who played in the NBA before me, and he played briefly, Fernando Martin (24 games in 1986-87 for Portland). So it was something very hard to picture. I think it was unreachable, pretty much, at the time. But I had the opportunity; some of the scouts trusted my ability. I was drafted number three (in 2001), which rushed my decision to come. I was going to wait another year, but here we are.

“I was rookie of the year and incredible changes,” noted Gasol of his start in Memphis. “It was a hard year because I had to get used to losing a lot in Memphis the first couple of years. But we had some good times, a lot of growing up I did those years and it made me appreciate how hard things are in this league. You’ve got to come to work, give everything you have. So I have really great memories of my time there.

“You do especially when you get to this stage of your life,” Gasol said about perhaps his last All-Star game as he approaches 36 and free agency this summer. “It should be that way at any point of your life, in your career, where you embrace the moment and enjoy it like it is your last day there, your last event, time with whoever. We don’t really approach it that way all the time, but I really try to enjoy and share every single moment, every single championship, every single game. I try to enjoy like it’s my last one so I can give everything I have and feel good about it afterwards.”

Bryant’s Toronto farewell appearance, his 18th All-Star game, has been the theme of the weekend.

He actually got an ovation from reporters when he arrived for his media interview session Friday. Several reporters from around the world instead of asking questions presented Bryan with gifts, a bottle of soft drink from Italy, where Bryant was raised when his father played basketball there, a samurai sword from Japan, where Bryant is the most famous NBA player, a picture of Bryant wearing his different Nike sneakers from his career. Later Bryant received a Jordan Brand sneaker collection from the famous label. Bryant was the leading vote getter in fan voting to start the All-Star game.

“This is pretty cool,” said Bryant. “I’m looking around the room and seeing guys tearing up the league that were like four during my first All-Star Game. How many players can say they’ve played 20 years and actually have seen the game go through three, four generations? It’s not sad. I’m really happy and honored to be here.”

Other All-Stars said they looked for Bryant to win his record fifth All-Star MVP award, though Bryant said he was done with that sort of competitiveness.
“I’m just really enjoying this whole thing and enjoying these players and talking to them one more time,” said Bryant. “Going out and practicing and enjoying that moment. So the competitiveness in terms of me trying to establish something and prove something, that’s gone.”

I remember Bryant in 1998 at his first All-Star game in what we thought then was Michael Jordan’s last All-Star game, that one in Madison Square Garden. Classic setting.

Jordan, of course, came back for two more with Washington and was going for the MVP in his last one in 2003. And he probably would have gotten it—he had my vote on that panel—but then the game went into overtime and Kevin Garnett had a huge role for the West team and flashed by Jordan at the close.

There were plenty of nexts to come regarding Jordan, and there still are. But no one introduced himself like Bryant, which was probably why he drew more Jordan-like comparisons. Bryant will fall short of the sixth NBA title he so desperately has chased to catch Jordan, though he seems resigned now.

Bryant was anything but even at 19 in his first All-Star game.

I remember in the opening plays, Bryant waving Karl Malone out of the post so he could go at Jordan.

Malone coming off the Finals was stunned; there was an all around, ‘Who does this guy think he is?” reaction.

Who does that at 19? Without fear of failure or respect for his elders. It’s also what made Bryant such a polarizing figure. Jordan did try to be the respectful rookie in his first game in 1985, but veterans like Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas and George Gervin went at him perhaps more than the supposed freezing him out.

Jordan would go on to be named MVP in that 1998 All-Star game in the Eastern Conference victory, but not before Bryant showed off with a 360-degree dunk on a fast break, a lob dunk from Garnett and passing to himself behind the back on a break. Jordan then less athletic took Bryant inside with several baseline fadeaways for 23 points and eight assists. Bryant had 18 points.

So we’ll see Sunday night what Bryant has planned for his departure and how much it matches his debut.

It’s less technically Gasol’s last All-Star appearance, but probably in all likelihood given his age.

Gasol was added to the team late when Bulls teammate Jimmy Butler, who is not playing Sunday, had to withdraw with a knee injury. Commissioner Adam Silver selected Gasol as Butler’s replacement. But Butler doesn’t lose any status as an All-Star.

For his part, Gasol said he’s thrilled to return as an All-Star not only for himself and his team but to witness Bryant’s final All-Star game up close. It was with Bryant in Los Angeles in 2008 that Gasol resurrected his career and went on to win two NBA championships.

“It’s special,” Gasol said of playing in Sunday’s game. “One of the reasons I was excited to make it in the first place. I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be present and witness that moment because Kobe is a special guy and special player and had a tremendous career and we have a unique friendship and relationship.

“It’s really nice to be here and be part of the All-Star game with Kobe and the relationship we’ve developed over the years,” Gasol added. “One of my biggest disappointments of not being selected by the coaches directly was I wasn’t going to be here for that, and now that I am, I am happy to be part of this moment.”

But it’s also a special moment of recognition for a less likely star who seems destined as one of the great international players in basketball history to eventually end up in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Gasol’s career of European and NBA championships, Olympic medals and 15 years in the NBA averaging 18.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 blocks as one of the most versatile and sweet shooting big men in NBA history is a fantasy-to-reality story.

A cultured kid of physicians from Barcelona who aspired to medicine becomes an NBA star succeeding against the best and a worldwide humanitarian with his foundation and charity work.

“I wanted to be a doctor,” Gasol told reporters in Toronto. “My family comes from a medical background. I did go to my first year of med school; but then I had to make a decision because there was a conflict with basketball. At the time I wanted  (to choose basketball). It was my dream. The medicine didn’t work out, but nowadays I’m still doing a lot of work with hospitals and health care. Basketball has given me a chance to have a tremendous life and I am happy with it.”

Gasol went from a skinny, doubted third draft pick after Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler and before Eddy Curry to Rookie of the Year. The Memphis selection was ridiculed as they acquired it in trade from Atlanta for star Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

The Grizzlies won fewer than 30 games Gasol’s first two seasons, but then with general manager Jerry West and coach Hubie Brown, the Grizzlies averaged almost 50 wins for there straight seasons. But they lost 12 straight playoff games. They fell to 22 wins in 2006-07 when Gasol was hurt before the season in the World Championships, and during the following season Gasol was traded to the Lakers. Though condemned at the time as a gift to the Lakers, who were struggling since losing Shaquille O’Neal with Bryant even demanding to be traded to the Bulls, the trade worked for the Grizzlies as well in acquiring the rights to Pau’s brother, Marc.

The Lakers made three consecutive Finals and won two championships led by Bryant and Gasol to reestablish their place among the NBA elite.

Though often over scrutinized for his skilled style, Gasol joined the top echelon of NBA players. But with coaching changes and injuries in Los Angeles, Gasol’s playing time and production declined. In July, 2014 as a free agent he signed with the Bulls. Gasol went on to be voted a starter for the East All-Stars last year and lead the NBA in double/doubles in one of his best statistical seasons even at 34. And this season he remains among the league leaders in double/doubles, blocks, rebounds and assists for centers.

It’s an amazing resume, and Gasol will be taking it all in, somewhat more quietly and less noticed than Bryant Sunday, but with as much pride and accomplishment.

“The last couple of years in Memphis were hard,” Gasol admitted when asked about a low point. “I lost a little bit of my passion for the game. The year ‘07 with the national team we lost the final (by one point to Russia) in Spain in the European championship; that was a hard one for me that really fueled me to go out and compete and win the next European championships in ‘09 and ’11. That stretch in Memphis the last time before I had the opportunity to play with the Lakers, committing myself to anything I had to do to help that team win titles.

“My competition overseas with the national team is something I treasure very special to me; the two championships with the Lakers were one of the best times of my life, one of the best accomplishments here for sure,” said Gasol. “To me what’s gotten me to win championships and play at a high level is also the times I’ve struggled, where I went through an injury or tough stretch with the team because you really try to work hard and get over the top and put yourself in a better situation. And that’s what I tried to do in my career. So that’s why those times are also very important to me because they helped me push myself to get to a better place and play well.

“And now this moment (with the Bulls) was fueled by the difficult time I had in L.A. the last couple of years, injuries, coaching issues, and trade rumors,” said Gasol who also was supposedly part of the overturned Chris Paul trade. “All that was unpleasant; it really fueled me to be where I am at today.

“It has been (an amazing) career,” reflected the seven-foot, 250 pound center. “When I think about it I am moved by it; everything I have been able to accomplish, the experience to share with people at the same time. That’s something I always take to heart and it’s humbling.

“I worked hard and put everything into it,” said Gasol. “Sometimes things don’t work out and things out of your control happen. But I’ve also been fortunate nothing has been able to keep me away from the game a long period of time, and hopefully it will stay that way; the passion and love for the game is what allows me to do the things off the court as well.

“Going back, I didn’t know what was going to be, what was going to happen; but I know I was going to try,” said Gasol. “I loved the challenge. My ambition and my confidence in my abilities has taken me far. I’m also very thankful to my family for the way they have supported me throughout and in the critical moments of my life and being a part of my success. I love the unknown, I love the challenge. I’m driven by challenge and I hope I will continue to be that way for the rest of my life.”

pau-gasol-reflects-on-an-all-star-career-and-life

Pau Gasol reflects on an All-Star career and life

Jimmy Butler didn’t quite articulate it as such when he met reporters Friday afternoon at the All-Star weekend annual media session. But he seemed to provide something of a road map to the team’s season of potholes.

And no one is to blame, even if it seems like it’s a flat tire without a spare.

It’s the irresistible force and the immovable object; it’s the pull and tug of like minded goals and varied methods, the sturm and drang of individuality and subjectivity.

It’s Jimmy believing his scoring is vital to the Bulls’ success and trying to do so the best way he knows how with team success his primary goal, and the organization committed to the evolution in the NBA to the spacing, shooting, movement and flow that is both the future and the Celtics of the 60s and Knicks of the 70s. Again, with team success above all.

Can they find compromise and concomitant results somewhere is perhaps the largest question facing everyone.

Butler, who is not playing in Sunday’s All-Star game because of a knee injury, talked about the pressure and responsibility he feels with having signed a $95 million maximum salary contract with the Bulls last summer.

“I’m not going to say I’m the focal point of the offense,” Butler said when asked about his more prominent place with the team. “I can put the ball in the basket a little bit, create for others. That’s not a focal point; that’s playing the role I have to play on this team. I just signed a contract. I think that is what you are supposed to do. They don’t give anybody a max deal for anything. I have to be better, I have to help this team win a lot more games.

“It’s hard whenever people look at you to do something every single night,” Butler admitted. “Before I had the (contract) deal it was, ‘Jimmy’s OK, Jimmy can have off games.’ But it’s now you can’t. I like it. If I play bad, I beat myself up about it because I want to play well every night, do the most I can to help my team win. So when I play bad I go home and (pout) on my coach. ‘I let my team down.’ When we win I’m happy. That was the biggest learning curve, knowing that you have to bring it every night for sure. You’ve go to produce every night.”

That’s the pressure of stardom, and Butler is taking it seriously.

After all, greatness is not 50-point games. It’s getting that 20 or 25 every game because everyone is counting upon it. That’s work. Especially when that never was a part of who you were before.

Butler wants to be successful and make the Bulls a winner. But he also believes the best way to do that is for him to score like he has, at least 20 points per game with his defense and rebounding. However, Butler has only played as a pro in an isolation, play-call heavy offense without much movement. It’s where he learned his pro game and how he knows to play, how he had the success that led to that once unimaginable contract.

It has nothing personally to do with coach Fred Hoiberg, about whom Butler earlier this season questioned, yet with whom he retains a good relationship.

“It’s different (with a new coach),” Butler said. “It’s a learning curve for me, for everybody. You have to learn on the fly. We’ve been doing a great job of that. I think I can be better, he can be better, we can be better. I think that’s coming the second half of the season.”

But the Bulls knew they had to change, which was perhaps the major reason for recruiting a coach like Hoiberg, who was on the must see lists of basically every NBA team seeking a new coach. The Steve Kerr comparison is fair to the extent of resume and a belief in a style of ball movement, passing and not a lot of play calls.

No two people retain the same personalities.

The Bulls also knew they didn’t have the big men who were inside, power post players to pound down the ball. The future of the league is in the model of speed and shooting, a little more offense and less defense. Which is OK since the important statistic is not only wins, but the difference between points scored and allowed. Not just points allowed.

So the Bulls with Hoiberg have endorsed the philosophy of more offense not necessarily at the expense of defense, and the first 40 games the Bulls were in the top five in field goal shooting defense.

Not so much for Butler, who retains that defense-first priority.

So Butler, the team’s leading scorer and perhaps key figure who feels the daily demands to keep up his end, interprets winning in a more physical way.

“I think we rely too much on offense,” Butler said when asked (again) about the team’s inconsistencies. “Don’t get me wrong, you have to be tough to play offense, but you have to be hella-tough to play defense. You’ve got to want to do it, win your matchup, stop your guy from scoring. Whenever you see that look in guys’ eyes, ‘I’m gonna guard my man, I’m gonna take this charge,’ I think then you’ll see everything turn around.

“I think when people go up against us they used to think ‘We’ve got to go up against Chicago!’ I think right now the way we are playing as a team people might be glad or happy or excited to play against us. It was never like that,” Butler said.

“We’ve got a great group of guys and they all buy in,” insisted Butler. “If we can get back to guarding the way we are capable of we’ll win games. We just lost our toughness; that’s what defense is. If you want to do it you can do it; if you want to try to outscore people you can do that, also. Obviously, we’re not very good at that because we lose a lot of games when we try to outscore people. You’ve got to have that grit. I don’t think we have that right now. I think we’re very capable of having it, getting it back. But until we do I don’t think we’re going to be very good. We have to be a tougher team every night.

“That’s not coaching,” Butler added. “You have that or you don’t. People in this league smell blood, they’re coming after you. It’s all about playing basketball at the right time. We turn it around here coming out of All-Star break, you all are not going to say anything about what happened in January; y’all be saying about how we just won how many games in a row. It’s all about playing basketball at the right time.”

Of course, there’s the complication as well of what time—and day, or month—Butler will be playing.

No matter the differing philosophies, there’s no turnaround coming without him.

Last week, the Bulls projected three to four weeks out for Butler after his knee strain last week. Butler Friday spoke for the first time since the injury and admitted he initially was concerned for his career.

“I was scared, ‘Please don’t let anything be wrong.’ I was asking, ‘Do I have to have surgery? How long do I have to be out? ‘Can I play in the All-Star game? Things like that because I didn’t want it to be over with,” Butler recalled. “I was scared. Obviously knowing the history with the knees, please don’t let it be something too serious.

“Yeah (I heard a pop),” he said. “Something did, but luckily, they said it was the capsule around my knee. I don’t know (what that means). I’m not the doctor.”

But it didn’t sound like Butler is close to returning as he said he hasn’t even been cleared to ride an exercise bicycle yet.

“A lot of stim, icing, the contrast with the hot and cold, lots of stretching, massage, just making sure my knee can move,” Butler said about his current regimen. “I don’t want it to get stiff. Hopefully I can start biking and doing something to get my wind back. I don’t know (how long I’ll be out). I’ve got to listen to my body and be smart about it. Of course, I want to be on the floor. I want to be out there so I can help.

“I want to play as soon as possible and if I can I will,” said Butler. “But I have to make sure I’m right. I don’t want to reinjure anything. I have to make sure my whole body is holding up, which I am sure it will be. T-nak (Jeff Tanaka) and Armando (Rivas, trainers) do a great job of making sure I’m rehabbing the correct way and doing everything right. I’m going to play the way I always play, give it all on both ends of the floor and go from there. I’m not worried about reinjuring myself. I don’t think it is going to happen. I take pride in it.”

But Butler also will be cautious as he admits after he sat out the Sacramento game Feb. 3 with a sore knee from banging knees the game before, Tanaka told him he might not be ready to go in Denver. But that’s what game time decision is about. Butler tried it out, felt good and everything with his knee seemed strong, he said.

“I sat out the game before; I wanted to play, obviously,” said Butler. “T-nak was, ‘I don’t know if your leg is ready right now.’ I was, ‘No, I’m good, I’m good.’ I went out there and played. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I felt good when I warmed up; I was fine. It was a freak accident; things happen. I’m hitting knees all the time. Eventually it is going to happen.

“If I can play, I’m going to play,” said Butler. “I think that’s what the fans come to see. That’s what my teammates and organization expect from me. If I can go out there and play I’m going to definitely play.”

Though the question as they all move forward is how and who is going to give and how much and what is necessary and how much is required. It seems clear everyone has the same goals and the relationships are good. There are good Democrats and good Republicans. They often just can’t seem to agree how to on the best way to get there.

Butler also had some other observations during his mandatory 30-minute session with international media that produced such gems as his preference for playing dominoes instead of video games; his likelihood of partying Friday night with Drake; his favorite Wahlberg movie, Shooter.

He declined to elaborate on his investments to a Wall Street Journal reporter and got a break as the guy asking everyone to name five famous Canadians (trick question?) skipped him. Jimmy did say hello to fans for Philippine TV and accused everyone of “hatin’ on my Broncos.”

He also reported in answer to the only question about anyone in his family that, ”Fish are good. I like my fish.”

— On the trade deadline: “It’s not my job to worry about trading and all that stuff. I have nothing to do with that. My job is to get healthy and get back on the floor.”

— On advice to kids: “Dreaming is not a stretch; it can become reality if you work hard enough. This was always a dream for me. I’m not the most talented guy, I’m not the tallest, the fastest, not the best shooter. I just work hard. When you work hard you don’t listen to anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. You can do it. I’m from Tomball, Texas and I’m here talking on All Star weekend; if that doesn’t prove I don’t know what does.”

— On teammate Pau Gasol: “I love Pau. I think Pau gives me a lot of easy baskets. A lot of easy baskets now that I think about it. So I like playing with Pau. I don’t pay attention to any of that trade stuff. So I don’t know what is going on.”

— On being at Kobe Bryant’s final All-Star game: “Kobe is an icon in this game. Around the world what he’s done for this game everybody wants to be Kobe. He’s someone I looked up to playing the game. He set the bar so high if you can get up there you are on a level of greatness.” Butler said his Kobe highlight was watching the 81-point game.

“Obviously, I want to win for the Bulls,” said Butler. “I think we will; I know that we will. But you have to cherish these moments and be thankful for what you did and I’m going to enjoy it. Every time I step on the court is a blessing. I’m extremely fortunate to be an All-Star.”

jimmy-butler-and-the-bulls-conundrum-considered

Jimmy Butler and the Bulls conundrum considered

Toronto in February? Whose idea was that for a midseason break?

But that’s where the NBA will conduct its 2016 All-Star game Feb. 14th, the 65th and first ever outside the U.S. And where getting down will refer to adding more layering for their clothes.

Fan voting for the starters began last Thursday in a variety of social media venues. Voting will conclude Jan. 18 with the starters announced on TNT Jan. 21. Reserves will be selected by a vote of the coaches a week later. The first update of voting will be Christmas Day. But since I don’t yet know how many of those social media sites work-I’m looking for a paper ballot--here’s an early and first glance at who might/should/could be a 2015-16 NBA All Star.

I won’t be determining the starters; also, the ballot no longer separates centers but divides by guards and frontcourt players.

Jimmy Butler, guard, Bulls: Probably not a starter, though he could be if the Bulls improve their record. Which continues the remarkable journey of the kid from Tomball, as he likes to call himself, to be in the conversation as an All-Star starter a few seasons after many wondered if he could be an NBA rotation player. Butler is leading the Bulls in scoring and again averaging more than 20 points per game. The East is bunched among the top 10 teams, but as they separate more attention will go to players from the teams with the better records.

LeBron James, frontcourt/guard Cavaliers: He’ll certainly start and is having another terrific season, really doing more once again to carry the team with Kyrie Irving out and Kevin Love occasionally marginalized. James is among the league leaders in minutes and having to carry the team down the stretch in most games. However narrow the margin, they still lead the East.

Paul George, frontcourt, Pacers: The Indiana wingman has made an inspiring comeback from his broken leg with USA Basketball to having his best season thus far, ranking in the top five in scoring and leading a Pacers’ team that has changed its image and style and has returned to being a threat in the Eastern Conference.

Kyle Lowry, guard, Raptors: After falling back last season following the signing of a new deal, Lowry appears to have dedicated himself and has returned to being one of the league’s top scoring guards and a prime factor with teammate DeMar DeRozan in making the Raptors a top contender in the Eastern Conference.

DeMar DeRozan, guard, Raptors: Sorry Golden State, but only one team has backcourt teammates in the top 15 in scoring and that’s the Raptors. Though DeRozan doesn’t shoot the three pointer well, which is a weakness, he and Lowry both are averaging more than 21 points per game and proving a formidable duo for what looks like a top four team in the Eastern Conference.

Dwyane Wade, guard, Heat: He isn’t the high jumping, explosive player anymore. But Wade has been cleverly effective with tricky moves and still able to get to the basket with skill and scoring impressively, close enough to 20 per game. He’s also been healthier than predicted, which is good for the Heat and the NBA.

Andre Drummond, frontcourt, Pistons: The Detroit big man has become the dominant center in the NBA with his amazing rebounding numbers, putting up occasional 20/20 games. This from a player who a few years ago coming out of college was said would be too indifferent to have NBA success. He’s averaging three more rebounds than second place, a rare margin.

Nicholas Batum, frontcourt, Hornets: They’ve been perhaps the surprise team in the Eastern Conference, and his ability to make big shots late has given them a go to guy. Kemba Walker tries, but is often too small. He’s yet another reason for the shift in power as more Western Conference players have ended up on Eastern teams.

Kevin Love, frontcourt, Cavaliers:  I was leaning to someone from the Hawks, possibly Jeff Teague as he makes stuff go there. But the Hawks haven’t been the same, and not just because of losing DeMarre Carroll. It’s been a tough recovery for Kyle Korver to previous form. With Kyrie Irving returning likely this week they’ll probably have the East’s best record at the break and deserve at least a pair of All-Stars. Love hasn’t been great, but his numbers are representative.

John Wall, guard, Wizards: I was leaning toward Bradley Beal, but the shooting guard having his best season is down again, this time with an early stress reaction that the team says will have him out a few weeks. Which likely means more. The Wizards have been somewhat of a disappointment hovering below .500 most of the season, though more because of front line issues. Wall has been a bit inconsistent, but his numbers are good as he’s second among guards in double/doubles behind Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo.

Reggie Jackson, guard, Pistons: He hangs onto the ball a bit much, but he’s become an elusive scorer as their lead guard. They’ve also been one of the imrpoved Eastern Conference teams, a playoff contender with top rebounding center Andre Drummond.  As it gets closer, more depends on record so his status could change if the Pistons fade. These last few spots remain interchangeable depending on which teams rise among the 10 now within a few games of one another in the conference.

Pau Gasol, frontcourt, Bulls: He could get the tiebreaker vote among several players given he’s playing less, though still averaging a double/double and still among the top 10 in double/doubles at seventh with a dozen after leading the league last season. But now averaging fewer than 30 minutes per game for the first time in his career. Others who could easily slip into the final spot include Beal, Paul Millsap, Chris Bosh and Jeff Teague or Paul Millsap. Carmelo Anthony is scoring, but the Knicks seem to be driven as much by rookie Kristaps Porzingis. If the Knicks win more, Anthony could get in. There’s also Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, though they are more equal opportunity and he’s a poor shooting volume scorer. Plus, Avery Bradley probably has been more valuable. There’s Brook Lopez, though the Nets won’t win enough and Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, who is averaging a double/double and with a wide league lead in blocks. But even his team doesn’t seem to play him enough in key situations and not often in the fourth quarter.

Kobe Bryant, guard, Lakers: It seems fairly certain he’s going to be voted a starter as probably the NBA’s most popular player in Asia. Bryant’s participation became a debate lately after commissioner Adam Silver on Sirius NBA radio said he’d like to see Bryant at the All-Star game in his final season. Of course, Silver can add Bryant even if no one is injured. Heck, Silver can make them play with their underwear on the outside.  After all, there are no rules to this thing, which is an exhibition. This isn’t the USA team, where the score matters. Bryant won’t be added to that team. But he should be in the All-Star game and start. I recall Michael Jordan being selected, but not voted in, for his last All-Star game. Poor Vince Carter was practically mugged by the other players to give up his starting spot to Jordan. Ironically, longtime Jordan rival Isiah Thomas was East coach and lobbied Carter as well. Even the players will want to say they played with Bryant in his final All-Star game. It’s an exhibition for fans; if you are just the 12th man in line to be picked you’re barely an All-Star, anyway. The All-Star game is show business and Bryant will and should be there. It may also be the last playing season for Kevin Garnett, though no victory tour for him. Maybe also for Tim Duncan, but he’d never let anyone know. And no one really ever wanted to see him in an All-Star game, anyway.

Stephen Curry, guard, Warriors. That was easy. It will be the Curry/Kobe backcourt. Curry and the Warriors have been the stars of the league this season and it’s amazing to recall that just a few seasons ago in 2013, the coaches passed over Curry as an All-Star reserve even though Curry averaged about 23 points that season. But it was his first coming off missing most of 2011-12 after ankle surgery.  He’s leading the NBA in scoring by a Jordanesque lapping the field more than three points over second place James Harden. It may be the first All-Star game in the last three decades fans will be more excited about jump shots than dunks because of Curry.

Draymond Green, frontcourt, Warriors: The fan balloting isn’t likely that sophisticated, but he makes the Warriors team run almost as much as Curry with his two-way game. Teams scheme for him almost as much as Curry. He’s a better version of the five-stat filler than Andrei Kirilenko was once advertised to become.

Klay Thompson, guard, Warriors: They’ll have to get at least three Warriors on the team with the record breaking start and talk and potential to break other longtime records. It’s been as much the impressive domination of teams, blowout wins and historic—thus far—margin of victory. Thompson seemed to defer to Curry some this season, though he had some physical issues. Still, he has one of the game’s purest shots and is as capable of huge scoring as anyone in the league.

Kevin Durant, frontcourt, Thunder: He’s back and he’s scoring, the latter no surprise. His foot problems haven’t reoccurred, though he was out with a hamstring injury. But he’s back near the top of the league in scoring with backcourt mate Russell Westbrook and they are one of the highest scoring perimeter combinations in NBA history even though Durant is a seven footer. Though no center.

Russell Westbrook, guard, Thunder: Durant’s sidekick is not so much sidekick anymore, though he has been more generous with the ball and is averaging almost 10 assists per game along with 26 points. He’s second to Drummond in double/doubles as a result and has three triple doubles. Rondo actually has four, but no one is putting Kings players on the All-Star roster. And getting to that, forget this case with DeMarcus Cousins as a star. I’d take Karl-Anthony Towns right now ahead of Cousins for his team play and knowledge of the game and am confident his team in two years will have more wins than Cousins’.

Blake Griffin, frontcourt, Clippers: It’s been impressive the way Griffin with all that physical talent has become an excellent shooter as well. It’s reminiscent of the way Karl Malone taught himself to shoot after being unable to shoot 50 percent on free throws as a rookie. Griffin is the most valuable player on his team with the slight decline of Chris Paul and perhaps still an All-Star starter as a popular commercial spokesman.

Anthony Davis, frontcourt, Pelicans: It’s been a disappointing season for the young star as his team once again has injuries and too often forgets he’s a young star. And Davis often looks like he’s unhappy about it. Like in previous seasons, his guards haven’t been much good at including him in a game that is so guard oriented in the NBA these days. Though he’s still a 23 and 10 guy and fourth in double/doubles being ignored.  He’s that good. The curiosity is he’s one double/double behind Zaza Pachulia, who will not be on the All-Star team.

Kawhi Leonard, frontcourt, Spurs: The star of the Spurs? He is. It’s obviously a credit to the organization the way they’ve nurtured stars from Robinson to Duncan to Parker and Ginobili and now Leonard. Leonard, one of the league’s quieter people, makes plenty of noise on the court as probably the game’s best two-way player as he also leads the league in three-point shooting while being a premier defensive stopper.

James Harden, guard, Rockets: With some hesitation given the Rockets’ poor start, the firing of Kevin McHale and Harden’s fairly open disdain for playing defense. A lot of previous stars have not defended as well, but rarely as open as Harden. Still, it’s tough to ignore his offensive impact on the game as he’s second in the league in scoring at 29 per game. And best at luring officials into foul calls, which is not exactly a fan All-Star favorite tactic.

Dirk Nowitzki, frontcourt, Mavericks: It’s doubtful he’s retiring, and as he doesn’t jump he probably could play five more years. This could change dramatically in the next month, but the Mavericks have been one of the surprise teams thus far and if it holds would be deserving of having an All-Star. Who else but Dirk? Yes, Pachulia has those double/doubles, but not another James Donaldson as an All-Star. And no Deron Williams. Dirk probably is not quite playing at All-Star level, but close enough not to make it a big debate. Dirk deserves his own victory tour of some sort as the NBA’s greatest international player ever.

Damian Lillard, guard, Portland: Yes, they’re a team below .500. But if everyone worried about that they’d never fill out a Western Conference All-Star team with only six teams above .500. The Trailblazers have had some good wins even after losing almost their entire team from last season. As a result, the often overlooked and passed over Lillard has been asked to score more. The top scorer gets that much more defensive attention and he’s still in the league’s scoring top 10. Sorry, Chris Paul doesn’t quite impact the game as much as he did and the Clippers have been all over the place with inconsistency even with their supposed coup of retaining DeAndre Jordan. No Rondo because of the Kings play even as he’s put up great numbers. Wonder who’s a free agent? Not Andrew Wiggins quite yet and it’s tough to figure what’s going on with the Grizzlies, though no one has excelled and they even had Zach Randolph coming off the bench Sunday. Dwight Howard? Who? Actually, he’d have a shot if Harden ever passed him the ball. You probably could make a case for the Suns’ Eric Bledsoe over Lillard, and man will Lillard be mad again if that happens. Gordon Hayward is just close, but not ahead of any of the above dozen.

sam-smith-projects-his-2015-16-nba-all-stars

Sam Smith projects his 2015-16 NBA All-Stars

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