(670 The Score) The Bulls’ Zach LaVine was fifth among Eastern Conference guards in the initial All-Star fan voting returns, which were released Thursday.
All-Star starters are chosen by a combination of fan (50%), media (25%) and player (25%) voting. In the early balloting, LaVine drew 486,547 votes from fans, trailing the Wizards’ Bradley Beal, the Nets’ Kyrie Irving, the Nets’ James Harden and the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown. All-Star starter voting is comprised of two guards and three frontcourt players in each conference.
LaVine, 25, is averaging a career-high 26.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 50.8% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range in 20 games. LaVine was the only Bulls player among the top 10 guards or frontcourt players in the voting.
Coaches select the All-Star reserves. Despite health and safety concerns amid the pandemic, the NBA and the players’ union are nearing an agreement to hold the All-Star Game in Atlanta on March 7, according to ESPN.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.