Knicks All-Star Aspirations
Changes to All-Star voting format could actually add emphasis to skill rather than popularity
Earlier this month, the NBA announced there would be major changes the All-Star voting format, essentially reducing the power of the fan vote. NBA fans will no longer be the sole voters, as the NBA is now allowing players and select media members each to comprise of 50 percent of the vote (25 percent each). So a Zaza Pachulia scenario from last year’s All Star voting will rightfully no longer be able to happen (it was kinda funny).
With fresh, Latvian blood in the Knicks organization, there’s a bit of anticipation for the voting results. Both Knicks fans and Kristaps himself want to see the unicorn in the All-Star Game.
If we’re being completely honest with ourselves, Carmelo and Kristaps are the only two Knicks that have a shot at making the Eastern All-Star roster. As if his opinion even mattered, Derrick Rose has already stated he has no interest in playing in the All-Star Game. And while Ron Baker has provided All-Star worthy celly’s, he still needs a haircut before he receives All-Star consideration.
So, with the NBA All-Star polls officially open, let’s discuss how the Knicks have faired with All-Star selections in the past, statistic requirements, and every other factor that plays into securing a spot on the Eastern Conference roster.
Knicks All-Star History
Since the 2000–01 season, the Knicks have had six players selected to the NBA All-Star Game. During the 2000–01 season, Knicks LEGEND Latrell Sprewell and some other guy named Allan Houston represented the Knickbockers in Washington, D.C. This is the first of only two occasions in the past 16 years where the Knicks have had two players voted to the All-Star Game. The next Knick player to be represented? David Lee in the 2009–2010 season. The following season, Amar’e Stoudemire was the lone Knicks representative.
And then the ‘Melo trade happened. Since being shipped away from Denver and cranky George Karl, ‘Melo has been the lone Knick represented in five consecutive All-Star games, aside from the 2012–13 season where he was joined by ex-Knick, tiny-legs Tyson Chandler. While it’s respectable to have ‘Melo voted in each year, this season may be the Knicks’ best shot to have a player other than Carmelo Anthony voted into the All-Star Game.
Statistical Criteria
Picking a consensus starting five for the 2017 All-Star Game is going to be extremely tedious; there’s so many worthy applicants! Carmelo Anthony is going to make the 2017 All-Star Game. There’s no doubt his skill-level has diminished over the years, most notably this year where he’s just looked flat-out bad in a few games. I’m going to go ahead and assume that when NBA fans are making their selections, points per game is generally the first criteria that comes to mind. While Anthony’s struggled mightily this season, he’s still fourth in the Eastern Conference with 22.3 points per game, ahead of 2016 All-Stars Paul George and Kevin Love, who are averaging 22.3 points per game and 21.7 PPG, respectively.
Let’s get to the point here; every year it seems there are a few newcomers voted in the All-Star Game. Last season, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green, Isaiah Thomas, and Andre Drummond were the four greenhorns initiated into All-Star rosters. In the East this year, there are a few guys extremely worthy of making their first appearance in an All-Star game; Kemba Walker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and our beloved Kristaps Porzingis. Add Kemba Walker to the likes of Kyle Lowry, John Wall, Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving for point guards battling for a spot on the Eastern Conference roster.
Averaging 22.4 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, Walker has the third highest PER score in this group of PGs alone (22.3). He deserves to be an All-Star. Giannis, averaging 22.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, six assists, 2.1 steals and two blocks, leads the Bucks in the five major categories and while he technically plays PG, he’ll have the luxury of being voted in as a front-court player. Another extremely worthy newcomer.
And then we have Kristaps Porzingis. Through the first 18 games, Porzingis had the third best Real Plus-Minus (2.34) of power forwards and centers in the Eastern Conference. That number has since slipped to 2.07, which is the fifth best of power forwards in the East. As expected, Porzingis has plateaued a bit in the middle of his sophomore campaign. But, even in the midst of this “plateau,” he’s still averaging 20 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. He’s seemingly gained massive amounts of respect from around the league from Kevin Durant and Kobe, among others.
If these two see the potential in Porzingis, I can’t wait to see how NBA players chose to use their votes. Kristaps will likely be competing with 2016 All Star Paul Millsap for a reserve spot. Here’s how the two compare:
Pretty similar stat-lines. Should be interesting to see if fans, media members, and players recognize the leaps and bounds Kristaps has made individually as a player and the impact he’s made on the Knicks or if consistently underrated Paul Millsap gets the recognition once again. My gut feeling tells me Kristaps is an All-Star snub this year, but he’s definitely got the stats to push him in as a reserve.
Polls are open, so vote vote vote! We know what happens when we don’t; millennials are blamed for the impeding doom of planet earth itself...so uh go Knicks!
— Brendan Duball, senior writer
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