One Bull falls, another one answers the call, as Chicago Bulls veteran big man Pau Gasol replaces guard Jimmy Butler in the Eastern Conference All-Stars roster for the upcoming 2016 National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game.
Butler, who was voted by NBA coaches as a reserve for the East, is out of action since suffering a left knee strain during last Friday's game versus the Denver Nuggets.
The All-Star selection was the second in the young career of the 26-year-old big man, who is sidelined for weeks because of the recent injury.
Butler was the only representative the Bulls had in this year's All-Star Game; that is why it was a terrible news that he will be unable to participate.
However, Chi-Town will still be represented in the exhibition game this Sunday because Gasol was immediately chosen as a replacement for Butler.
Before being named as an All-Star for the second consecutive season (sixth in his career), Gasol was considered one of the biggest snubs in this year's game.
Gasol is the second leading scorer for Chicago and is the team's leader in rebounding and blocks. The 35-year-old is playing great for the issue-filled Bulls, averaging 17 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and two rejections in 31.9 minutes of action per game.
However, despite Gasol's efforts and great performance this season, the Bulls are not doing well, especially as of late.
Chicago suffered its fourth straight defeat on Wednesday, falling to the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center, 113–90.
The string of losses dragged down a once leading team in the Eastern Conference to the seventh place in the standings with a 27–25 record.
Hopefully, following the All-Star Weekend which is hosted by the Toronto Raptors, the Bulls find a renewed energy to win games, or else they will likely be pushed down further in the Eastern Conference standings, where a tight race is happening this season.
