Sam Smith: Luol Deng heads for second All-Star Game as veteran

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January 24, 2013 -- The NBA announced today that Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah and forward Luol Deng have been selected as reserves for the 2013 Eastern Conference All-Star Team.

For Deng this marks his second straight All-Star appearance. He was also selected last year as a reserve for the Eastern Conference. In his ninth season with the Bulls, he is averaging 17.4 ppg (team-high), 6.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.08 spg, 39.8 mpg (career-high; ranks first in the NBA) and shooting .442 from the field, .340 from downtown and .818 from the free throw line. Deng has led Chicago in scoring 12 times and has posted a team-high 13 games with 20 or more points.

Noah, in his sixth season with the Bulls, is averaging 12.2 ppg (career-high), 10.9 rpg, 4.0 apg (career-high), 2.08 bpg (career-high), 1.33 spg (career-high) in 38.3 mpg (career-high). He is shooting .453 from the field and .769 from the free throw line (career-high). On the season, he currently has 20 double-doubles (fourth in East and nine in the NBA) and 14 games with five-plus assists.

“I’m extremely excited to be recognized as an All-Star for the first time,” said Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah. “It’s more of a team honor than an individual honor, because it would not have been possible without my teammates and coaches. I look forward to representing my teammates and the Bulls organization during All-Star Weekend.”

For the Bulls this marks the seventh time that two or more players have been selected to the All-Star team in the same year. Last season, Derrick Rose stared for the East, while Luol Deng came off the bench. The 62nd NBA All-Star Game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston, Tex. on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 (7:00 p.m. CT).

All stats below as of January 20, 2013



