Chicago Bulls: Chances of All-Star Balloters Other Than Rose Being Selected

NBA All-Star Weekend is about five weeks away and ballots are still being cast for this year’s Eastern and Western Conference Starters.

It is the practice of the NBA to engage their fanbase and let them vote to choose the starters of the All-Star Game.

The Chicago Bulls have five players on the Eastern Conference ballot: Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Richard Hamilton and Luol Deng.

Granted, Chicago is a pretty large market; however, there are hardly enough voters in the city to put all five Bulls players on the All-Star team.

Given the success of the team in general, it’s not hard to see why the Bulls have a bevy of players nominated in the first place.

One can argue in some form that each player deserves an All-Star nod. Here is an analysis for each nominee’s chances as a starter and reserve on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the highest).

1. Richard Hamilton

Richard Hamilton is no stranger to All-Star Weekend. He is a three time All-Star, making consecutive appearances form 2006 to 2008 as a member of the Detroit Pistons.

He even participated in the festivities a little by competing in the Three-Point Shootout.

Hamilton’s career resume reads like that of a pretty accomplished player. He’s been in multiple Eastern Conference Finals series. He’s played in two NBA Finals series. He has a championship ring.

He did all of that on a Pistons team that had no superstars, just good basketball players who played well together.

Now, Hamilton brings that pedigree to the Chicago Bulls, and although he has made a big, immediate splash, he is not the same Hamilton of the mid-2000s.

Hamilton can still go and will have a lot to do with the Bulls’ success this season, but his play is hardly that of an All-Star. Considering that there are other guards on the ballot who have better numbers, Hamilton shouldn’t be expecting to play in Orlando in February.

Chances as a starter: 1

Chances as a reserve: 1

2. Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer is another Bulls player who has experienced All-Star recognition on a previous team.

That should surprise no one, as Boozer averages 17 points and 10 rebounds for his career.

Boozer was signed to be a low-post complement and second scoring option for Derrick Rose; however, an injury in his first season as a Bull prevented any real gelling from happening.

While no one is unfamiliar with Boozer’s skill set, he has not been able to shake the criticisms of being inconsistent on offense and a liability on defense.

He came into this season lighter and healthier, with a mission to prove his doubters wrong.

While his current numbers are still underwhelming, Boozer has played extremely well over the past few games that have found Derrick Rose on the bench. If he can continue this level of play through February, where he’ll face other premier forwards like Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire and Kevin Garnett, he will definitely improve his case for appearing in Orlando.

The problem is that Boozer has still underperformed for the most part and those long second-half sitting spells he frequently finds himself taking just draw more attention to the things about which people like to critique him.

Boozer probably won’t make it as a starter on this year’s team, as he is currently being outperformed by Stoudemire and Bosh. His best shot at an All-Star roster spot is as a reserve and even that is a bit of a long shot.

Chances as a starter: 1

Chances as a reserve: 4

3. Joakim Noah

Last season, Joakim Noah came out of the gates fast and his performance had the basketball world abuzz with a possible All-Star nod. Then Noah went down with a foot injury and his extended time away from the court squashed the young center’s chances for All-Star recognition.

There was no reason not to expect Noah to come out this season in the exact same fashion.

The extended break caused by the lockout allowed him to rest and recover more, which had fans hoping for Noah to throw it into high gear on day one.

That has not been the case this season.

The usually intense Bulls center only has three double-doubles this season. Outside of that, he’s had only three other games with at least 10 rebounds and one double-digit scoring game (19 points) back on December 30 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

This is not the same Joakim Noah. It’s hard to gauge if he’s coasting and waiting to turn it on in the playoffs or if there is something hindering him that he hasn’t let on.

Right before their home contest against the Bobcats, a decision was suddenly made to sit Noah. The reason given was an ankle sprain.

If Noah has aggravated his ankle and is forced to sit again, it would definitely quell any chances of an All-Star selection. But even if that's not the case, he definitely won’t be starting because Dwight Howard has that spot locked up.

Statistics aside, pickings are slim in the East with quality big-men. Tyson Chandler and Javale McGee both have better numbers than Noah, but no one else outside of those two are worth mentioning seeing as how Al Horford is injured.

Noah has a fighting chance as a reserve based on the past seasons’ performances, current vote tallies and the fact that he plays on a winning team. I would consider his chances more of a coin toss.

 Chances as a starter: 1

Chances as a reserve: 5

4. Luol Deng

Luol Deng is a player whose name is constantly brought up in fan conversations about underrated players.

There isn’t much Deng doesn’t do on the court. He shoots well, passes well, can drive and is the team’s best perimeter defender.

Chicago has played five games without Derrick Rose this season, and over the course of those games, Deng has demonstrated his value to the team by averaging 18.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.2 steals.

Deng has really started to emerge as the second go-to guy for the team.

There is no question that LeBron James has the starting spot locked up, and there are some other big names at the small forward position like Carmelo Anthony and Paul Pierce. However, Deng has a more-than-fighting-chance of being named to this year’s team and it would be an honor well deserved.

Expect Deng to breakthrough this year as a reserve.

Chances as a starter: 1

Chances as a reserve: 8