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Can the Chicago Bulls head into All-Star Weekend with a win?

By Luke Askew

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 2: Wayne Selden #14 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 2, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 2: Wayne Selden #14 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 2, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA All-Star Weekend is right around the corner. Can the Chicago Bulls head into the break with a win at home against the Memphis Grizzlies?

The Chicago Bulls have been playing some of the best basketball of their disappointing season ever since trading for Otto Porter Jr. Their floor spacing has been incredible (in relativity to how it was before), individuals have stepped up and it finally looks like the team is playing with a sense of urgency.

Tonight, the Memphis Grizzlies, a team in search of an identity, will come to the United Center to take on the (lightly) surging Bulls. This will be the first matchup between the Bulls and Grizz post-Justin Holiday trade.

The Holiday trade wasn’t nearly as emotional for any individuals as the Bobby Portis trade was, so don’t expect the same type of fireworks when Holiday returns to the United Center as a visitor. Still, though, players always love to prove something to their former teams. That’s why I’m expecting Wayne Selden Jr. (the player the Bulls got in return for Holiday) to have a big game.

Selden’s had a solid run during his short time with the Bulls. He’s a young, athletic wing who defends, stretches the floor and works hard. He’s exactly the type of player the Bulls needed prior to dealing for him.

At the time of the trade, it looked like the Grizzlies were trying to make a playoff push. They started the season looking like a fringe playoff team, but they were clearly missing some necessary pieces.

Enter a veteran three-and-D wing (Justin Holiday) to help them make their push.

After a rough couple months, though, the Grizz have (basically) fallen out of playoff contention. They’re starting to look like a team that’s ready to embark on a rebuilding journey, not a team that’s ready to reach for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. In hindsight, Wayne Selden Jr. would’ve been a perfect piece for their team, and they’ll find out exactly why tonight.

Before getting traded this season, Selden was only averaging 14.2 minutes per game. He wasn’t getting a fair shot. Now, for the Bulls, the former Kansas Jayhawk is averaging just shy of 22 minutes per game and is finally getting an opportunity to show the league what he’s got. He’ll likely come out firing against his former team.

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This game doesn’t hold a lot of importance in terms of gearing up for the playoffs, but as both teams look forward to All-Star Weekend, it would sure be nice to enter the break on a high note. If Selden can step up in a major way, the Bulls have a good chance of coming out on top.

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