Pau Gasol was disappointed he didn't make it to the reserve list on the first try for the 2016 National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star games. The Spaniard wanted to be part of the annual All-Star activities, mainly because he wanted to share the court for at least one last time with former colleague Kobe Bryant.
However, with his Chicago Bulls teammate Jimmy Butler forced to sit out three to four weeks, Gasol has been selected by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to fill in, thus making it the second consecutive year that Gasol would be part of festivities. He was selected as a starter last season.
Even though the break could be something Gasol had wanted, getting at the expense of his teammate is something he is not too keen on. He is aware of the performance that Butler has been putting up this season and knows he deserved the spot.
Aside from that, Gasol is recently in trade rumor headlines, with the belief that he could be dealt by the Bulls soon. The 35-year-old big man is planning to opt out by season's end, while the team is trying to get younger guys to work under the system of coach Fred Hoiberg. Such could be the reason for a possible trade.
To his credit, Gasol has been quite a contributor for the Bulls. His performance has been overshadowed by what Butler and Derrick Rose are rendering, but he is an effective member of the Bulls who are now toting a 27–25 record.
Such is good for the seventh spot, although the situation is not something that will assure the Bulls a playoff seat.
Two teams are hot on their tail, the Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons who are half and one game behind, respectively.
The Bulls will need to make a serious winning run after the All-Star break to move up in the Eastern Conference and create some distance from the pack.
