After enduring trade speculations and the possibility of a team rebuild at the beginning of the season, the Chicago Bulls have successfully orchestrated a remarkable comeback. Despite Zach Lavine’s foot injury, the Bulls have navigated through their season exceptionally well, winning six of their last nine games without their star player.
Much credit goes to coach Billy Donovan, who implemented a faster pace and a system that prioritizes ball movement. Consequently, the Bulls have risen to the occasion, with standout individual performances from players like DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic.
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As fan voting for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game officially opened on Tuesday, let’s take a brief look at how DeRozan, White, and Vucevic have performed, aiming to secure a spot in Indianapolis.
DeMar DeRozan
Stats: 22.2 PTS, 5.2 AST, 3.6 REB, 44.1 FG%
Number of career All-Star selections: 6
DEMAR DEROZAN 360 PASS.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 15, 2023
Chances of DeMar DeRozan becoming a 2024 All-Star are considered moderate. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future in Chicago, DeRozan has been a driving force behind the Bulls’ unexpected resurgence.
Under Donovan’s emphasis on a faster pace and increased ball movement, DeRozan has taken on the role of orchestrating the Bulls’ offense. Leading the team with an average of 5.2 assists per game, he has also improved his three-point accuracy to a career-best 36.8 percent. Although his field goal efficiency has seen a slight decline, his impressive 22.2 points per game average remains noteworthy.
Securing an All-Star spot may be challenging for DeRozan due to the competitive talent in both the frontcourt and backcourt of the Eastern Conference. However, if he continues to propel Chicago to a winning record, his All-Star candidacy could receive a significant boost.
Coby White
Stats: 17.5 PTS, 4.9 AST, 4.0 REB, 45.2 FG%
Number of All-Star selections in his career: 0
Likelihood of making the 2024 All-Star team: Not high
Coby White with the "hammer" by Embiid!
He also has 20 PTS after 3 quarters and his 6th straight game with 20+
(Via @_MarcusD3_)pic.twitter.com/qasjBGtm15
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 19, 2023
Coby White has recently garnered attention not only from loyal Bulls fans but also from fans across the league.
Despite a rough start, White discovered a newfound strength within himself and underwent a remarkable transformation in the absence of LaVine. He became more assertive, stepping into the void left by the All-Star and posting impressive averages of 25.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.0 rebounds in the last nine games. His proficiency in outside shooting has been particularly deadly, with a 48.2 percent success rate on 9.4 attempts.
If there’s a Bulls player who truly deserves an All-Star nod in the 2023-24 season, it’s Coby White. Unfortunately, the conference is crowded with talented guards vying for All-Star spots, but it will be intriguing to see if White can secure a spot with his consistently stellar performance.
Nikola Vucevic
Stats: 16.7 PTS, 10.5 REB, 3.5 AST, 45.3 FG%
Number of career All-Star selections: 2
Chances to be a 2024 All-Star: Low
Vooch with the footwork!@NBCSChicago | @NikolaVucevic pic.twitter.com/6bgd2zqDfC
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 13, 2023
Fresh off securing a three-year, $60 million extension with the Bulls, Nikola Vucevic is delivering on his commitment as anticipated. He’s maintaining a statistical performance comparable to last season, averaging 16.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. However, an essential aspect this season is his efficiency, with a field goal percentage of 45.3%, the lowest since his rookie year, and a dismal 27.9% from beyond the arc.
In the competitive Eastern Conference with formidable frontcourt players, it seems unlikely that Vucevic will be in serious consideration. His current season stats fall short compared to his numbers from his last All-Star appearance in 2021, making it challenging for him to secure a spot in Indianapolis.
