Jan. 09--In Pau Gasol's four previous trips to the All-Star Game, he never was voted a starter by fans.
In his first season in the Eastern Conference, that appears likely to change.
With 11 days left in fan voting, the NBA released its third returns Thursday. And Gasol's lead over fourth-place Chris Bosh in the Eastern Conference frontcourt has widened.
Gasol ranks second with 527,582 votes behind the Cavaliers' LeBron James (971,299). The Knicks' Carmelo Anthony is third with 456,186, while the Heat's Bosh is well behind with 354,609.
"I'm really thankful and appreciative that the fans are voting me in and want to see me in the starting lineup, which is a huge compliment," Gasol said.
Jimmy Butler, virtually a lock to be a coach's reserve pick for his first All-Star appearance, sits fifth in the Eastern Conference backcourt voting.
Derrick Rose is sixth and likely will miss his first All-Star Game while healthy since 2009, his rookie season. Rose made the next three All-Star teams, once as a reserve and twice as a starter, and was injured the last two seasons.
Moving forward: Joakim Noah's daily regimen after more-serious-than-expected left knee surgery has been documented. Weight training. Pool work. Stretching. Ice. Cold tubs.
Though there are games in which Noah doesn't appear to move or jump well, he's encouraged.
"I still have another gear to get to," Noah said. "But overall, I'm just feeling a lot better every day."
Gasol has seen the work Noah has endured.
"It takes a little time," he said. "Meniscuses are tricky too. Some guys have to deal with that for the rest of their careers, so you really have to monitor that, see how you react to the workload. He's been doing that pretty well."
Layups: The Bulls used Thursday as a travel day and for individual workouts once the team landed in Washington. Mike Dunleavy is almost certain to miss a fourth straight game with his right ankle injury. ... The Bulls lead the NBA with 14 road victories.
