Pau Gasol will replace Jimmy Butler on All-Star team

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Pau Gasol missed making the All-Star team by just 360 votes. So, when teammate and All-Star forward Jimmy Butler went down with a knee injury, it made sense for Gasol to be the next man up on the Eastern Conference All-Stars for Sunday’s game (7 p.m., TNT).

The NBA named Gasol a reserve on Tuesday to replace Butler, who is out three to four weeks with a knee strain.

Gasol, who is averaging 17 points and 10.9 rebounds for the Bulls this season, expressed his displeasure with being left off the team initially.

“The way it is now it’s all like point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards in the starting lineups so it’s kind of unfair for the bigger guys that work hard and play well to not have the same type of shot,” Gasol said. “It is a game that people want to see those flashy guys.”

It’ll be the sixth All-Star appearance for the 35-year-old center.