The starters for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game were announced on Thursday night. The Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan is one of the five Eastern Conference starters, making it his third time that he’s been named an All-Star starter- and the fifth time overall that he’s been selected to the All-Star Game.
Well, the news of DeRozan being named a starter was announced on the Bulls’ team plane, by another player that will likely be part of the game.
Zach LaVine played the part of captain on the Bulls’ flight, announcing that DeRozan is an All-Star starter.
Zach broke the news of DeMar's All-Star announcement on our team plane ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AFcW9ShWrm
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 28, 2022
“Attention, attention, attention. This is your captain speaking from Flight 8, Flight LaVine. We’re heading on our way to San Antonio with a big announcement of our boy, DeMar DeRozan, with his fifth All-Star selection this year. All-Star starter. Give it up to our boy, Deebo. Congrats, dog! Congrats! Congrats!”
That’s a great teammate.
LaVine came up just short in the vote for starters, finishing third — but second in the players’ voting — behind DeRozan and the Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young.
Here’s the East guards voting breakdown between fans, players and media. DeMar DeRozan was 1st among East guards in all three voting groups. Zach LaVine was 2nd in players but 3rd in fan and media voting. pic.twitter.com/Y0JOo7e6Zt
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) January 28, 2022
DeRozan has played at an MVP level — as has LaVine — in his first season with the Bulls (after some experts called him the worst signing of the offseason). The midrange monster is averaging 26.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, to go with a 23.43 Player Efficiency Rating. He also made buzzer-beating threes for the win in consecutive days.
Despite dealing with numerous injuries and COVID-led absences, the Bulls have a terrific record of 30-17 — 0.5 games back of the Miami Heat for the East’s top seed — thanks largely to the fantastic seasons from DeRozan and LaVine.
[Photo Credit: Chicago Bulls on Twitter]
