Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine wrongfully snubbed of All Star bid

It seemed like destiny, but Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine was left out of the 2020 All Star Game.

It only would have been right to see one Chicago Bulls player represented at this year’s All Star Game. After all, the weekend’s festivities are being held at the United Center in downtown Chicago.

Leading up to the final days of voting, guard Zach Lavine was hovering around sixth place in terms of guards. What he was accomplishing over the last few weeks was nothing short of impressive.

Thursday night, the remainder of this year’s All Star rosters were announced. Sadly, LaVine was not voted in as a reserve by the league’s coaches.

The Eastern Conference starters are as follows:

Guard Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics

Guard Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Forward Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

Center Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Whether as a reserve or a starter, those five guys make sense. You can put up a strong argument for each one. Now, as for the reserves, that’s another story. Check them out:

Forward Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Forward Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Guard Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Guard Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Guard Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

Forward Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers

Forward Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

The two biggest snubs, to me, are both LaVine and former Bulls guard Derrick Rose. It seems almost impossible that neither are in this game, especially considering it’s held in Chicago. Both Rose and LaVine are having career years, yet don’t get the honor of being called an All Star.

Real quick, let’s look at the numbers LaVine is putting up on a per-36 minute basis. 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 49.8 percent field goals, 38.0 percent three-point field goals.

If you compare that to both Lowry and Sabonis, for example, LaVine is a clear winner. Sure, they both play for winning teams, but one could argue that LaVine is far more deserving.

Instead of seeing LaVine compete with the league’s top talents and on one of the bigger stages, fans should hope he indeed decides to participate in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest. He was invited, but has not made his decision yet.