Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro believes that center Joakim Noah should be a candidate to make the All-Star team.
Noah is averaging 10.5 points and 12.4 rebounds, third-best in the NBA.
"He's been strong," Del Negro said. "He's one of the top rebounders in the league with his energy and his length. He's around that basket, and he's been pretty consistent the whole year."
Del Negro was then asked if he'd begin pushing for his young center to make the Eastern Conference squad.
"No question," the coach said. "Everyone will talk about his rebounding, but he's made strides with his offense. He works hard. He puts the time in. He's building on that, working before practice, after, after shootarounds.
"When you work at things, you usually get better and he's seeing that. He's gaining confidence with that."
Noah seemed embarrassed by the talk.
"I don't think about it at all," he said. "That's not why I go out there and play the games; it's not for individual accolades. It's definitely flattering, humbling, but at the same time that's not why we go out there and play the game."