The 2020 NBA All-Star Game will be in the Windy City and the Chicago Bulls could have a first-time nod on their hands with Otto Porter Jr.
The Chicago Bulls have anything but an embarrassment of riches on the wing this coming season. In fact, with the latest injury to a player for the Bulls that can play on the wing, the reliance on the underrated and dynamic former Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter Jr. could be greater than ever before.
Entering the 2018-19 regular season, the Bulls wanted to keep then recently signed forward Jabari Parker as their starting small forward. That was a plan that was never going to work and went down in flames quickly.
The Bulls moved on from that failed Parker experiment at the last trade deadline by sending him and power forward Bobby Portis off to the Wizards for the return of Porter Jr.
He made an immediate impact by contributing for the Bulls on both ends of the floor and connecting the gaping void that existed between the franchises two primary players, shooting guard Zach LaVine and power forward Lauri Markkanen. He even shot better than 48 percent from three-point range in 15 games in a Bulls uniform last season.
This summer was about getting right for what could be a full healthy regular season for Porter Jr. during the 2019-20 campaign. He had an easier time down the stretch last season as head coach Jim Boylen rested most of the Bulls better players in the last two months.
However, there are key areas that Porter Jr. could improve in his first full season with the Bulls. He will naturally get more offensive touches and be able to spread the ball around with a more well-rounded lineup than he had with the Wizards last season. After John Wall went down with his torn Achilles tendon last season, Porter Jr. and star shooting guard Bradley Beal were left out on an island.
Hence Porter Jr. averaged about five more points per game, one more assist, and his true shooting went up by about six percent. He might not continue on the torrent pace he was on from behind the arc last season, but getting more touches definitely won’t hurt his basic stat line.
Averaging around 18-20 points per game to go along with 6-7 rebounds and 3-4 assists could put Porter Jr. in the realm of potential All-Star selection. Given the lack of star wing depth in the Eastern Conference this season, it wouldn’t be the most difficult All-Star voting for Porter Jr. that he ever saw.
Recent signed Miami Heat small forward Jimmy Butler is the set in stone best wing in the East. Beyond him, all Porter Jr. would have to compete with at the position is Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers and Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks. Get past those two, and we could be looking at a first-time All-Star nod for Porter Jr.
What also helps Porter Jr. in his push for an appearance in the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2020 is the fact that it will be held at the home of the Bulls at the United Center in Chicago. The hometown fans should be highly anticipating appearances potentially from Porter Jr., Markkanen, and LaVine.
If nothing else, we should expect an appearance from LaVine in the Slam Dunk Contest and possibly second-year center Wendell Carter Jr. in the Rising Stars Challenge. Markkanen participated in the Rising Stars Challenge for the last two years.
The last time the Bulls had an All-Star selection was with Butler back during the 2016-17 campaign. That was also the last season for “Jimmy Buckets” in the Windy City before he was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in summer 2017. But the return of a small forward from the Bulls to the All-Star Game would be a welcome sight for this fan base.