Jimmy Butler was rightfully selected to the NBA All-Star Game for the second year in a row.
Unfortunately for Butler, he’ll be forced to decline the invite to the mid-season exhibition and Pau Gasol will take his place.
Butler’s knee injury will keep him out for the next month or so, so Gasol was selected to take his place on the Eastern Conference roster. This year will make Gasol a six-time NBA All-Star.
At the age of 35, Gasol is averaging 17.0 points and 10.9 rebounds per game for the Bulls, who are in another funk and have lost eight of the last 11 games.