In professional sports, the All-Star game is supposed to be a fun and relaxing break in season play that is highlighted by the greatest competitors in the game going at it on one field, court, or rink. If there’s one thing that the NBA does right compared to the other professional sports, it is the All-Star Weekend.

Critics have never had as much to criticize about the Knicks as they do right now. Lenny Wilkens "resigned" as the head coach, and Isiah Thomas' management ideas have not succeeded at all. The Knicks have dropped to fourth place and are truly an organization in despair.

It was three days before Christmas last year when Isiah Thomas took over as president of the New York Knicks. The Knicks were 10-18 last season when he took the reigns, and since then the Knicks have gone 42-40.

In that span, the Knicks lost 11 players to trades, 4 to free agency, while they acquired 14 players and changed head coaches. A lot of action and changes, but when it all comes to rest and the clouds clear away, have the changes been for the better or for the worse?

It’s been pretty smooth sailing for the Knicks so far this season. Their record is currently .500 and they stand atop the Atlantic Division. Somehow, the Knicks have found their way into the weakest division in the NBA again, and not only are they in first; they are also currently the number three seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Not bad.

Two preseason games have both resulted in two commanding wins for the New York Knicks. And in both games it’s been the Knick defense and athleticism that have led the team to victory, which is probably more shocking then them being 2-0. Fans knew the Knicks were going to be fun to watch and that there would be a lot more dunks and transition baskets, but never did anyone think that Jamal Crawford and Trevor Ariza would bring shutdown defense to the team as well.