Wild cards: Paul Pierce (Boston) and David Lee (New York)
Three Celtics? I don't quite believe it, either, but I couldn't omit Pierce just because the fans ignored the injuries to vote in KG. The twofold truth is that I, too, always want to see KG at All-Star Weekend and that Pierce -- as we've been saying ever since his NBA Finals MVP performance in 2008 -- hovers at a new level of clutch even if his stats get more modest every season. The latest example: Pierce is quietly shooting almost 47 percent on 3-pointers. There's no way the coaches leave him off and I concur.
The last spot, for me, came down to three: Charlotte's Jackson, Chicago's Derrick Rose with a late push (ahead of teammate Joakim Noah in the race to be the Bulls' first All-Star since Michael Jordan in 1998) and New York's Lee. Give me another day and I'm fairly sure I'd find a way to squeeze both Jackson and Wallace in from the Bobcats.
Yet Lee wins out because he's suddenly so much more than a double-double guy for a team that's legitimately competing for the final playoff spot in the East instead of just dribbling out the clock to free agency. One trusted scout told me this week that he sees Lee, having emerged as a virtual point forward for the Knicks, as the most improved player in the league.
Although his numbers are often dismissed as a byproduct of Mike D'Antoni's system, New York is actually playing at a slightly slower pace this season, which cuts down on his statistical opportunities. Lee is averaging 19.1 points to go with his 11.2 rebounds because his jumper gets more reliable every season and because D'Antoni -- with no Steve Nash at Madison Square Garden -- is running a lot of his offense through him.
I say:David Lee, New York (17-24)
19.1 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.4 APG
Always known as a great rebounder, Lee has developed his offensive game quite a bit over the last two years under Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni. He's become one of the best pick-and-roll big men in the league and has expanded his shooting range to where he can knock down a 15-footer with consistency. He's averaging career highs in points and assists, is again among the league leaders in double-doubles, and ranks third in the East (behind just James and Bosh) in efficiency. Defense is still an issue and the Knicks have the same record as they did at this point last season, but they're within reach of a playoff spot.
Yes he should be....
the numbers are enough
19 ppg with 11 rebounds
He is the main reason why we are even in the playoff race....he is the Knicks mvp so from that standpoint he deserves to be an allstar....he has also improved every year offensively. If Lee's defense was good then this would not even be a question but he should be in the all star game.
I voted for him.
WHAT PLAYOFF RACE? 17-25 Record, .405 Winning percentage and the same record as last season. There is no way he gets in, Derrick Rose and someone within the top 8 gets it. These are the facts, sorry to break it to you like that. Keep dreaming!
again inflated digits, poor defense, and a losing record
some one please explain to me why this guy should be an all star
wow he has a jumper
yeahhh
so does every other all star who has a team pushing for the playoffs
gtf of here
]WHAT PLAYOFF RACE? 17-25 Record, .405 Winning percentage and the same record as last season. There is no way he gets in, Derrick Rose and someone within the top 8 gets it. These are the facts, sorry to break it to you like that. Keep dreaming!
This one.
Do a little bit of math and use your imagination before you get antsy.
<table class="genStatTable mainStandings" border="1" bordercolor="#cccccc" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="11" class="confTitle">
</td> </tr> <tr class="title"> <td class="name">Eastern</td> <td>W</td> <td>L</td> <td>PCT</td> <td>GB</td> <td>CONF</td> <td>DIV</td> <td>HOME</td> <td>ROAD</td> <td>L 10</td> <td>STREAK</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">Cleveland<sup class="super">1</sup></td> <td>34</td> <td>11</td> <td>0.756</td> <td>0.0</td> <td>18-6</td> <td>5-1</td> <td>17-3</td> <td>17-8</td> <td>7-3</td> <td>W 4</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="team">Boston<sup class="super">2</sup></td> <td>28</td> <td>13</td> <td>0.683</td> <td>4.0</td> <td>19-8</td> <td>8-1</td> <td>12-7</td> <td>16-6</td> <td>5-5</td> <td>W 1</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">Atlanta<sup class="super">3</sup></td> <td>28</td> <td>14</td> <td>0.667</td> <td>4.5</td> <td>16-10</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>18-5</td> <td>10-9</td> <td>7-3</td> <td>W 2</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="team">Orlando<sup class="super">4</sup></td> <td>29</td> <td>15</td> <td>0.659</td> <td>4.5</td> <td>19-9</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>16-4</td> <td>13-11</td> <td>5-5</td> <td>W 3</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">Miami<sup class="super">5</sup></td> <td>23</td> <td>20</td> <td>0.535</td> <td>10.0</td> <td>14-8</td> <td>6-4</td> <td>13-10</td> <td>10-10</td> <td>6-4</td> <td>W 2</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="team">Toronto<sup class="super">6</sup></td> <td>22</td> <td>22</td> <td>0.500</td> <td>11.5</td> <td>15-15</td> <td>3-3</td> <td>14-6</td> <td>8-16</td> <td>6-4</td> <td>W 1</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">Charlotte<sup class="super">7</sup></td> <td>21</td> <td>21</td> <td>0.500</td> <td>11.5</td> <td>15-16</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>18-5</td> <td>3-16</td> <td>7-3</td> <td>L 2</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="team">Chicago<sup class="super">8</sup></td> <td>20</td> <td>22</td> <td>0.476</td> <td>12.5</td> <td>13-12</td> <td>6-3</td> <td>14-7</td> <td>6-15</td> <td>6-4</td> <td>W 2</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">Milwaukee</td> <td>18</td> <td>24</td> <td>0.429</td> <td>14.5</td> <td>10-12</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>13-7</td> <td>5-17</td> <td>4-6</td> <td>W 1</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="team">New York</td> <td>17</td> <td>25</td> <td>0.405</td> <td>15.5</td> <td>12-16</td> <td>3-4</td> <td>10-12</td> <td>7-13</td> <td>5-5</td> <td>L 1</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">Detroit</td> <td>15</td> <td>28</td> <td>0.349</td> <td>18.0</td> <td>11-14</td> <td>1-6</td> <td>11-11</td> <td>4-17</td> <td>4-6</td> <td>L 2</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="team">Philadelphia</td> <td>15</td> <td>28</td> <td>0.349</td> <td>18.0</td> <td>8-15</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>7-14</td> <td>8-14</td> <td>5-5</td> <td>W 2</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">Indiana</td> <td>15</td> <td>29</td> <td>0.341</td> <td>18.5</td> <td>11-16</td> <td>1-3</td> <td>10-11</td> <td>5-18</td> <td>4-6</td> <td>L 1</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="team">Washington</td> <td>14</td> <td>28</td> <td>0.333</td> <td>18.5</td> <td>10-16</td> <td>2-6</td> <td>8-13</td> <td>6-15</td> <td>3-7</td> <td>L 2</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="team">New Jersey</td> <td>3</td> <td>40</td> <td>0.070</td> <td>30.0</td> <td>3-21</td> <td>1-7</td> <td>2-17</td> <td>1-23</td> <td>0-10</td> <td>L 11</td></tr></tbody></table>
Any one of the highlighted teams could go on a winning or losing streak substantial enough to get them in to or out of the race for 8th spot. There's still half a season left. Depending on timing absolutely ANY of those teams could find themselves in the post season.
That playoff race.hboy:
There's been plenty of conversation about it.
David Lee has been one of the Knicks most consistent players for last 3 seasons in a row, although the Knicks are not a winning team....should David Lee become a All-Star in his 5th season?
Yes.....No......or Why?
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LOL. Don't remind us.Crazy8s, we lost by 50 today do you think we are in the playoff race? ****ing Idiot!
LOL. Don't remind us.
To avoid any bickering between us fellow Knick fans, I think we can agree that we are TECHNICALLY in the playoff race and are mathematically in the picture. However, we have really hit the wall as of recent. Chemistry is 0, Hughes is complaining, everything just seems kind of falling apart. I think it's fair to say you are both right. We are technically a contender for the 8 spot, but mentally we are out of it. Out of sync, out of wack. Whatever you want to call it...We lost by 50...holy ****