Gasol to replace teammate Butler at All-Star Game

With Jimmy Butler out of Sunday's All-Star Game with a left knee injury, the NBA announced Tuesday that his Chicago Bulls teammate Pau Gasol will replace him on the Eastern Conference roster.

The replacement selection becomes Gasol's sixth career All-Star appearance.

While All-Star cases could be made for Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets and Reggie Jackson of the Detroit Pistons, the loss of Butler left the midseason classic without a Bull, a team that remains in playoff position despite being losers of 12 of their last 17 games.

Gasol is averaging 17 points, 10.9 rebounds, and two blocks per game in his 15th NBA season. The 35-year-old Spaniard was not shy last month that he felt he deserved a trip to Toronto.