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Thibodeau said Deng "should almost be a lock" for All-Star, said most coaches take team record into consideration.

"I think coaches will look at what a guy brings to the team overall," Thibodeau said. "Have they done it consistently? And then some guys it’s a buildup too. I thought two years ago Luol deserved to make it and didn’t but then he made it last year." Thibodeau said there are plenty of worthy candidates for Eastern Conference reserves, which will be announced Jan. 24 after coaches vote. But he thinks Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer deserve strong consideration.