Also, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics have come to an agreement on a four year deal worth $61 million.

Neither one of these deals is surprising.  Both have players have played their entire careers with these teams and now will probably never leave.

Pierce and Nowitzki had another year on their contract but had opt out clauses.  They both used it.  By opting out and re-resigning they can install a no trade policy.

Jackson made a guest appearance on The Basketball Jones podcast June 11th.  During his NBA conversation with J.E. Skeets and Tas Melas, Scoop suggested a previously unheard free agency strategy the Bulls should consider.

Instead of spending all their cash this summer on Bosh, James, Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki or any other player who will want a hefty salary…wait.  Why wait, because next year Carmelo Anthony will be a free agent.  Melo is perfect for the Bulls.

He has played with Chauncey Billups for the last few years, so he can handle playing with a pure point guard.  Actually,  his game has elevated the last few years because of Bullups presence.  With Derrick Rose’s athletic ability and mature skill set for only being in the league for two years, Mello would blossom to yet another level.

The Bulls hired defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau to be their head coach.  I think he would love to have a player of Melo’s size and physicality on the defensive end.  He isn’t a great defender, but he gives effort in blocking shots and disrupting the passing lane.

Jackson said the Bulls should get a mid-range salary cap guy and save the money for Mello.  This of course was before they traded Kirk Hinrich to make more room in the budget.

I like the idea.  The only problem I have with it is, next year will be looked at as a wasted season.  They only have four players on the roster for next season , so they have to sign someone.  What are they going to do,  sign an entire roster of one year rookies and veterans?  This isn’t a good idea.

Although, I agree with Scoops idea, I don’t see how next season wouldn’t be looked at as a waste.  Unless, they signed one guy at mid-range price like Carlos Boozer or David Lee, then sign one year deals.  I don’t know,  it seems kind of jello-based.

The Chicago organization and the fans want something metal based and they want it now.  There are plenty of good player available, we should shop now.  The Melo plan should only be used if nothing happens this season.  Still, Melo would have to wait for a deal because the Bulls would probably hire a new general manager first.

 Hinrich, a solid back up point guard, has a $9 million contract for next seson.  At this time, the Bulls have $20 million to spend.  If they could unleash Hinrich’s contract they would have around $30 million, which would be enough to sign two of the guys listed above.

This is a good move for the Bulls.  Hinrich has been a good player for the Bulls, but he is an over paid role player.  If the Bulls could get a D-Wade or Chris Bosh on top of getting Lebron,  adios Hinrich.

10 Two Way Tie Between- Rudy Gay and John Salmons

Salmons was traded away by the Bulls at the February trade deadline in order to dump off contracts.  He went to Milwaukee and helped them earn a six seed in the playoffs.  Before he came they were on the outside looking in.  Rudy Gay is a young talented player with limited leadership skills.  Gay is on the verge of becoming a superstar but needs to play on a team besides the Memphis Grizzlies where he is the main attraction, because he shouldn’t be on any team.  Both players are respectable second options and great role players.

9 Amare Stoudemire

The Suns power forward has little defense but is absolute dynamite on offense.  He can put up 30 points any night but if he is playing someone else who can score in the post, he can give up 30 points any night as well.

8 Joe Johnson

He is one of the best shooters in the game now.  He adds instant offense.  The problem is he choked in the playoffs.  His Atlanta Hawks got swept by the Orlando Magic and he put up little fight.  Johnson showed lack of heart, lack of concern to the fans and a lack of being a go to guy.

7 Carlos Boozer

Boozer is a double-double guy.  He can easily get 10 rebounds and 15-to-20 against anybody.  His defense is average but seems to always be in the right place at the right time for lose balls or blocks.  What he lacks in stats compared to some of the others on the lists, he adds in leadership.

6 Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk is a great player and possibly the best 7 foot shooter ever to grace the NBA.  Again,  he would add instant scoring and knows how to rebound the ball.  He is in the last stage of his career, I give him five productive years.  Also,  he is a second option, not a number one.  If he became a Bull, he would have to realize his position on the team.

5 Ray Allen

Allen is the second best three point shooter in history behind Reggie Miller.  He would be great for the Bull’s offense because he never stops running.  The downfall is, he will be 35 by the time next season starts.

4 Dwyane Wade

He is the second best two guard in the league behind Kobe Bryant.  I love Wade’s game and he brings the most energy to the court out of the ten guys on the court.  He can do everything: score, defend and all the intangibles in the middle.  He moved up the list because of his comments towards the Chicago Bulls.  I don’t think there is any chance he will be a Bull.

3 David Lee-Brad Miller-and a shooter (Kyle Korver, JJ Redick, Mike Miller)

Lee is a solid power forward.  He can score down low, hit a 15 foot jumper and rebound.  He plays solid help defense and again,  is always around the basket for offensive rebounds.  Brad Miller is old and for the most part washed up, but he has veteran leadership and in his old age still put up 10 points and five rebounds as a third stringer.  The Bulls desperately need a shooter.  Korver, Redick and Miller are the best shooters available.  Chicago should combo the three together to make use of their money.

2 Lebron James

James is the most athletic player in the league, no doubt about it.  He puts up video game numbers every night and would bring an incredible level of excitement around the United Center.  I will not be mad if James comes to the Bulls, that is for sure, but I think his superstardom could hurt the team.  Derrick Rose is a great point guard all ready and could develop into one of the best to ever play for the Bulls.  I question if the addition of James would hurt Rose’s development and the Chicago Bulls become the Chicago Lebrons.  He is great, but he has never won a championship.

1 Chris Bosh

From a team perspective, he is the best fit for the Bulls.  We need low post scoring, experience and a second option.   Bosh will give 20-to-22 points a night and could teach Joakiim Noah some post moves.  He isn’t the best defender in the paint, but he is average, enough to get by in the NBA.  His skill set is exactly what the Bulls need.

The MVP year ended by getting swept in the first round by the eighth seeded Golden State Warriors in one of the biggest upset series in league history.

The Mavericks have followed the failure ever since then; 2008 was a first round exit, 2009 beat in the semifinals and were took out in the first round this season as well.

It isn’t like the Mavericks are going into the playoffs in the seven or eight seeds; they’re advancing to the post season in the one through three seeds.

The Mavericks super star Dirk Nowitzki is the number six option in the top ten free agent options for the Chicago Bulls.

He is a great talent.  Besides Larry Bird, he is the best seven foot three point shooter to ever grace the NBA.  On any night, Dirk can put up 40 points.  Since the 2000-2001 season, he has averaged more than 21 points a game.

During these playoff blunders, Dirk’s numbers stay the same.  Actually his points per game go up.  He doesn’t crack under pressure, but his team does.  Is this his lack of captain leadership?  One blunder maybe not, but with four consecutive early exits, the question has to be asked.

With Dirk on the court, he does draw an instant double team for most teams in the NBA.  This would work great for the Bulls.  Other players could cut to the basket without being blanketed or a big man would be left alone in the low paint.

His offensive game would open up the Chicago play book because of the big man who can hit a jump shot from anywhere on the court.  He can also run the floor, which would fit in perfectly with the Bulls since they’re all lean and athletic.

Nowitzki does lack defense, but like I said with Amare Stoudemire, the Bulls have Noah and the perimeter guys know how to play help defense.  Nowitzki does play some D, more than Stoudemire, just at a low level compared to others in the league.

Stated at the beginning of the post, the question is his leadership.  In Dallas, he has played with some solid players.  This year they had, Hall of Fame bound Jason Kidd, last year’s sixth man of the year Jason Terry, a motivated Caron Butler, and the high energy Shawn Marion.

If he came to Chicago,  Dirk would have budding superstars in Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, a decent third scoring option in Luol Deng and a couple of great guys to have come off the bench in Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson.

His Dallas rosters have been better.  The only thing in Chicago’s roster favor is their heart and desire.  They play harder than the Mavericks, just don’t have their talent.

Can Dirk lead them to a championship?  He hasn’t been able to with a better roster and great coaches. He played for Don Nelson, who was voted to be a top ten coach of all time.  Avery Johnson, who is a coach all the teams without a coach want and Rick Carlisle who has been to the playoffs in seven of his eight seasons as a head coach.

The Bulls don’t have a coach at the current time and the open market doesn’t have any super attractive guys.  Johnson could come to Chicago,  maybe that would bring Dirk.

Nowitzki has proved he is a great player whether it be one on one or in a 3 on 1 transition fast break with his teammates, but he hasn’t proved he can make his team better.

What if, he wasn’t the number one guy?  If Dirk came to the Bulls and was a number two option behind Rose, he would be golden.  The pressure of leading the team would be on the point guard and the star Chicago has named as their own.

All Dirk would have to do is shoot the rock.

This would make him a great choice.  Dirk has the offensive game the Bulls desperately need but he hasn’t helped his team get to the promise land.  This is why he doesn’t make the top five.

Click in tomorrow for # 5 in the top ten summer free agent options for the Chicago Bulls.

EAST

Cleveland Cavaliers VS Chicago Bulls- Cavs in 5

I would love for the Bulls to win more than one game or even take the series, but it will not happen.  Lebron James is just too much for the Bulls to handle.  The Bulls played a great game, but still lost game 2.  Enough said,  I’m going to pout in silence…..

Boston Celtics VS Miami Heat (three old men VS a young superstar)- Boston Celtics (old men) 4-3

This is going to be a great series.  Dwayne Wade is a superstar and will win one or two games by himself.  If he gets any help at all they will win one more and could possibly take the series.  Kevin Garnett is not the same KG we know and love, plus he is out for game two because of his elbow.  The Boston Celtics have a champion swagger.  Paul Pierce will not give up for anybody and Rajon Rondo has become a great basketball player.  I think the Celtics have too much for Wade to win the series.

Atlanta Hawks VS Milwaukee Bucks- Hawks sweep

Atlanta has a balanced scoring attack.  They have perimeter shooters in Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford.  They have physical players who will take it inside Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.  Plus,  they have the most underrated player in the NBA, Joe Johnson.  He can shoot, defend, rebound and is a good teammate.  Andrew Bogut is out for the Bucks.  With him in the lineup the Bucks could have won a few games, but not without him.  John Salmons and Brandon Jennings won’t give the team enough to get them past the Hawks.

Orlando Magic VS Charlotte Bobcats- Magic sweep

Dwight Howard is a beast.  Charlotte’s Tyson Chandler is not going to contain Howard.  The Magic are the best three point shooting team in the history of the NBA. Enough said.

WEST

LA Lakers VS Oklahoma City Thunder- Lakers in 6

Kobe or Ron Artest against Kevin Durant is the best one-on-one match-up in the first round.  Kobe is a solid defender and Artest is one of the best in the game.  Durant is the best scorer in the game.  This should be fun to watch.  The Lakers are just too good.  They have a great veteran team who are going to teach the young Thunder lessons.  The Thunder are a good team and will find enough scoring to get a couple games, but Kobe and company will win the series.

Denver Nuggets VS Utah Jazz- Nuggets in 6

The Jazz are banged up.  The Nuggets have something to prove.  They were at one time the number two seed in the west but fell to fourth after a bad stretch of loses.  Kenyon Martin is back to add physical inside play.  The Nuggets will miss George Karl but they will find a way to win the series in six games.

Phoenix Suns VS Portland Trailblazers- Suns in 6

I wanted to give the series to Portland, but, I can’t do it with Brandon Roy on the IR.  Roy is the difference maker.  Portland has a good team, but I think Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash will take care of business.

Dallas Mavericks VS San Antonio Spurs- Dallas in 5

The boring Spurs are done.  They can’t stay healthy and Tim Duncan is not even a shell of his former self.  Dallas is rolling.  Dirk is playing at an MVP level and Jason Kidd is playing like he is 24 instead of 37.  Kidd is still the best passer in the game and can add 15-to-20 points any given night.  Plus, Caron Butler and Brendan Hayword have come from Washington and added key pieces the Mavericks were missing.

The biggest event is the Boston Celtic’s Kevin Garnett getting banned from game two in his team’s series against the Miami Heat.  In game one, teammate Paul Pierce fell to the court and laid in pain.  Miami Heat’s Quentin Richardson stood over him and said some words.  With 40 seconds left in the game, Garnett came to protect Pierce, elbowing Richardson in the face.  KG is not allowed to enter the arena for game two and Richardson has to pay a $25,000 fine.

I like Garnett supporting his wounded teammate.  I like the NBA being the authority they wish to be and give the suspension and the fine.  What was Q doing?  If you knock down somebody and feel proud of it, cool, but it was wrong of him to further humiliate Pierce.  Richardson is a good player but why did he have to be ignorant?  Guess it was his 15 seconds of fame in his first playoff game since 2004 when he was with the Phoenix Suns.

Ron Artest VS Kevin Durant is the must see one-on-one match up in the first round.  Artest is arguably the best man defender in the league.  He is pesky and very seldom leaves his man; seldom as in never.  Durant is the best scorer in the league,  well at least to the points per game stat.  He became the youngest player in NBA history to win the scoring crown by scoring 30 ppg this season.

In game 1, Durant was held way below his averages.  Instead of 30 points, he was held to 24.  Six points isn’t much but he didn’t get those 24 from his scoring ability.  Nine of those points came from his 9-of-11 from the free throw line.  Durant averaged 47% from the field but was 7-of-24 in game one.  Artest and Kobe Bryant blanketed him.  Durant couldn’t even get rebounds, his eight a game, fell to two.  Without Durant, the Thunder are destined to be swept.  Lakers won game one, 87-79.

This is the biggest surprise.  The Portland Trailblazers beat the Suns without Brandon Roy.  With Roy in the lineup, the Blazers have the young talent possessing the ability to beat the Suns.  The Trailblazers should not beat the Suns without him.  Roy brings 22 pppg and 5 rebounds and assists to the box score every game.  The Blazers did not let the loss of their leader effect them.

Andre Miller, not know for his scoring, dropped 31 points and eight assists.  LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points and Marcus Camby gradded 17 rebounds.  If they continue to play like this,  the Suns may find themselves booted in the first round.  Once Roy was put on the Injured Reserve list,  the Suns were the huge favorite.  They better come to play because Portland is hungry for a playoff series win.

The Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Bobcats 98-89, not a big surprise.  The thing for me, was Stephen Jackson.  Jackson is known as a pure scorer who lacks dedication.  He hyper extended his knee against the Magic in game one.  Instead of giving up or saying, man, I can’t play.  He said, “No Chance in Hell, I’m not going to play in game two.”

This is awesome for the Bobcats.  He is one of their main leaders.  He has a reputation.  A statement like this, might change the outcome of a few games in the series.  The Magic will still win, but Jackson’s approach could make the series interesting.

Milwaukee Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings is amazing.  In game one against the Atlanta Hawks he dropped 34 points.  The problem is, he didn’t have much help against the balanced attack of the Hawks.  Joe Johnson scored 22, Mike Bibby 19, Jamal Crawford 17, Al Horford 15, and both Josh Smith and Marvin Williams had 12.  John Salmons will have to score more than 16 without Andrew Bogut in the lineup.

One more thing.  The Dallas Mavericks are going to be awfully tough to beat.  Jason Kidd, Caron Butler and Dirk Nowitzki are rolling.  They beat the Spurs only by six, 100-94, but the aging Spurs had no defensive answers for the three stars scoring.

A month ago,  I would have been a genius to be a betting man on some NBA odds.  The Bulls were in sixth place and only two games behind the five seeded Miami Heat.  Derrick Rose had just played in the All-Star game and Joakim Noah was the second leading rebounder in the league behind Dwight Howard.

Then the Bulls fall apart and crush my hopes of high school kids considering me on the same level of brilliance as the guys seen on Sports Center .  Noah missed the first three weeks of March and the tail end of February. Rose and Luol Deng then took turns getting injured and later missed three or four games at the same time.

Chicago went on a ten game losing streak, falling from sixth to ninth real fast.  When Acie Law, Jannero Pargo and Ronald Murray are the Bulls starting backcourt, the odds of winning are not in their favor.

The trades right before the NBA deadline could have been a factor too.  The free agent market for the summer of 2010 is one of the best in the last few years.  Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Lebron James are the three biggest names but other players such as Andre Iguodala, David Lee, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson, Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Redd and Manu Ginobilli will all be free agents.

With this said,  the Bulls got rid of two big contracts for expiring ones in attempts to stock up money to pay a major talent.  Hopefully someone will still want to be a Bull after their poor showing at the end of this season.

In the eyes of Bulls management, John Salmons was a bust.  He was very inconsistent.  One night he would score 25 and the next night he would score 5.  The Bulls traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks for the expiring contracts of Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander.

Salmons is averaging 20 points a game as a Buck and has led them to a 16-4 record.  Before he joined the team, they were not in playoff consideration.   Now the Bucks are in 5th place in the Eastern Conference and are arguably the hottest team in the league.

The Tyrus Thomas trade to the Charlotte Bobcats for Law and Murray.  Although, I don’t think they should start, both of them are quality backup guards.  They both are quick, athletic and can put the ball in the basket.  Plus, the Bobcats gave us a first round pick.  I am more than satisfied with the trade and don’t think it hurt the team at all.

Immediately after the trade, the Bulls won four out of five games and looked as if they were preparing for a deep playoff run.  Then they went on the ten game skid.  They looked horrible.  Even before injuries took Deng and Rose out of the lineup, they still looked like a high school jv team.

They are only half a game behind the Toronto Raptors for the eight spot.  Even if the Bulls make the cut,  the season is still a disappointment.  Last year’s playoff series against the Celtics had them on the up and coming list for this season.  The roster is young and extremely talented.

Chicago shows signs of being a good team but then play garbage ball and act like they don’t want to play.  The Bulls have a solid nucleus (Rose, Noah, Deng, Taj Gibson) to make a deep playoff run.  They could possibly by pass the Raptors and make it, but deep run, it isn’t going to happen.

Being a Chicago fan, I had high hopes but have been let down.  It’s sad to say,  the fifth seed prediction now seems like a dream, when it seemed like a premonition a month ago.

It is considerably harder to chose these All Stars, because the West has more stars.  I like to argue and put my guys in the game, but this year, most of them were originally selected.  Shame on West’s Head Coach George Karl thinking the same.  He picked a solid back up squad that on paper could dominate the East’s reserves if the bench teams played a pick up game.

However, there are a few players who will be in the bleachers or on their couch who should be participants.  It happens every year.  Lets start with an interesting development.

Chris Paul- Paul is arguably the best point guard in the game.  He can score, dish, rebound and defend.  There isn’t an aspect of the game he doesn’t perform on a nightly basis.  Unfortunately for him,  he had to have surgery yesterday on his left knee.  I DID AGREE His replacement is………..

Chauncey Billups- Billups was a player I was going to write about being a snub.  Billups is a supreme floor general.  He is the coach on the court, guiding the talents of Carmelo Anthony and Nene to help the team win.  Not only does he find the open man but if you challenge him, he will hit a 3 pointer in your face.  Billup’s nickname “MR. Clutch” is self explanatory.  He is a winner and a huge reason why the Denver Nuggets have moved to the top of the Western Conference.  Billups is in the league’s top 25 with 19 points a game with the help of  41%  shooting from beyond the arch.  Also, he dishes out 6 assists per game for 12th in the NBA.   I AGREE I was originally going to put him in for……

Deron Williams- Williams is a good player.  Most people would probably put him past good.  I know a lot of people who say he is in the top 15 players in the league.  He is not that good.  I like his game but I like others better.  Williams does led the Utah Jazz to a 30-18 record for 4th in the west.  This is why he is selected.  He, like Billups, is a floor general.  He gets the ball where it needs to be.  Williams is 4th in the league with 9 assists per game and in the top 25 with 19 ppg.  The only problem is, his teammates do everything else.  He isn’t the team like a few others I really want to put ahead of him.  The problem with the other players is, they don’t produce wins like Williams.  Tyreke Evans is scoring 20 ppg and contributing 5 assists.  In his rookie year, he took over the Sacramento Kings when former stud Kevin Martin was injured.  Monta Ellis is a machine.  He is 6th in the league with 26 ppg and adds 5 assists.  On most nights, he is the only reason the Golden State Warriors stay competitive.  Evans and Ellis just can’t get the W’s, both of their teams have the Utah’s record, just flip flopped.  With this said…….AGREE…..BUT DON’T WANT TO

Pau Gasol- In the past, Gasol has been a definite All Star.  This year,  his game isn’t at that level.  He demands double teams and can grab a rebound from the other side of the court.  He can go inside and outside with the ball and is a defensive presence in the paint.  He cannot stay healthy.  The Lakers are winning games without him.  If he was on another team,  I’m sure it wouldn’t be the same story but the cards lie how they fell.  Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum have better stats and are quickly becoming as important as Gasol on the Lakers.  How does Gasol rate on an All Star team if their are players on his team who should be in before him.  DISAGREE He would be replaced with…..

Chris Kaman- Kaman is quickly becoming the best center in the west.  I chose him to be a starter.  He is dominant on the offensive side of the ball.  Kaman has great footwork and moves his body well around the basket and without the ball.  When he has the ball, cutters and wings on the 3 point line do not have to wait long before Kaman hits them up with a pass.  The Los Angeles Clippers are a low post liability without him.  Marcus Camby is getting up there in age and needs Kaman there to anchor him.  Even with Camby, one of the leagues leading defensive and rebounding players in the league for the last 8 years, Kaman still gets 9 boards and 20 points a game.    SHOULD BE

Now it is easy….no more debate.   These players have put up good numbers and have been helping their team win and improve.  They should be on everybody’s list.

Kevin Durant- “Durantula” will be a starter within the next couple of years.  “Melo” will need to continue video game numbers if he doesn’t want to lose his spot.  Durant is a one man scoring nightmare for the opponent.  He has the perfect form in his jump shot, he can boom it any big man’s face or will finish a lay-up with style if their is decent defensive pressure.  He has turned the Sonics/ Thunder into a playoff contending team.  Durant is an ultimate team player making everyone better.  He is currently tied with “Melo” for the league scoring lead with 27.9 points.  He is also in the top 25 in steals with almost 2 a game and grabs 7 boards.  AGREE

Dirk Nowitzki- There isn’t any need to explain Dirk’s abilities.  He is clutch on all levels.  He should have been named a starter over Tim Duncan.  At the beginning of the season, most NBA columnists thought the Mavericks were going to miss the playoffs or be a bottom seed.  With role playing help of Jason Kidd and Jason Terry, Dirk has took the Mavericks to the next level as they sit in 3rd place in the west with a 31-18 record.  His 25 ppg puts him in 7th place and grabs 8 rebounds a game.   AGREE

Brandon Roy- Roy is a stud.  With the addition of Andre Miller he has got to move with the ball for open shots, but he is still the go to player.  He definitely has the Kobe Bryant killer look.  Roy has taken control of a once faltering franchise and turned it into a contender.  Instead of an easy win,  opponents know they will have to fight for everything, especially the win.  Roy is 9th in the league with 23 ppg and also averages 5 rebounds and assists a game.  AGREE

Zach Randolph- Besides his attitude and his ability to quit playing in the middle of a game, Randolph has always had All Star techniques and stats.  He is a dominant offensive big man.  He knows how to get defenders off their feet and out of position.  He is finally becoming the player he could have been in Portland.  The Memphis Grizzlies should be happy they took a chance with Randolph.  For the first time in a few years, they may have a playoff caliber team.  Randolph is a big reason why.  He is averaging a double-double with 20 pts and 11 rebounds putting him in 11th and 4th in the league.  AGREE

IF YOU DON’T AGREE WITH ME OR GEORGE KARL, SEND A COMMENT, LET US KNOW WHO YOUR ALL STAR RESERVES WOULD BE

In his 2nd year in the NBA, Rose is the first Chicago Bull to be named to the team since Michael Jordan in 1998.  In case you can not do math,  it has been 12 YEARS.

Rose came into the league last year as the number one draft pick and showed he was worth it.  At the end of the year, he won the Rookie of the Year award.  He also helped his team push the Boston Celtics to a tough competitive 7 game series in the playoffs.

This year, Rose picked up from exactly where he left off.  Contributing 20 points a game, Rose is a scoring point guard but is contributes to the team in every aspect of the game.  He plays defense and averages 6 assists a game.  His jump shot is developing and it seems his court vision is hitting x-ray level.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/01/derrick-roses-all-star-highlights.html

Having Rose named to the All Star team should be exhilarating for all Bulls fans.  This means the team is getting recognized.  Also,  the selection means the Bulls have a key piece to building a champion.

Boston’s Rajon Rondo, Atlanta Hawk’s Al Horford and the Charlotte Bobcat’s Gerald Wallace join Rose as first year selections to the East All Star team.  Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Boston’s Paul Pierce and Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh complete the Eastern Conference’s roster.

Dallas Maverick’s Dirk Nowitzki will be the hometown hero of the game since it is in Dallas.  Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant, Memphis Grizzlies Zach Randolph and Utah Jazz’s point guard Deron Williams are the first year participants for the Western Conference.  Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol, New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul and Portland Trailblazer Brandon Roy were selected as well.