I thought it was interesting, b/c with 2 post scorers sharing the ball, I don't think neither Curry or Randolf will even average 20 a game and we're going to have to see how their defense will hold up. Also, with Marbury claiming to take a backseat, and proclaiming to average 12 assists a game, I think he's in for a rude awakening, b/c if we're going to continue pounding the ball in the post, he's not going to average close to that, b/c there's going to be a lot of pounding down low, plus Crawford and Collins are better at feeding the post anyway, so I don't think Marbury has much of a shot to make the all star game. Which leaves David Lee and Jamal Crawford, and I actually think both kind of have a shot to make it, more so Lee, if he really is trying to work on that jump shot. If that's the case, and he retained his athleticism, I see no reason why he can't be a 15-11 player this season, which is very much so, all star production. Therefore, ironically, I think he has the best shot to make the all star team.

However, I think Crawford could also have a shot, b/c if he can somehow improve his shot selection this season, which may be a lot to ask for, and play a little defense, then he'll be having a party this season, b/c he's going to become a major scoring threat, especially with Curry and Randolf being doubled. Plus, his assists should rise. Notice I'm saying SHOULD, b/c he has all the talent to do this. Unfortunately, he's been Mr. Plataeu, but maybe this will be his season. I guess we'll have to see.

I think Lee has the best shot though.

I have a different take. I don't think the net effect of Zach and Curry dropping a point or 2 is gonna mean that they won't be considered for the All Star team. The WIN/LOSS record is going to play a bigger factor. If we come out strong, then those 2 being the most prominent players on the roster will be the beneficiaries of that and I think they'll get serious consideration.

Already Zach's presence brings more attention to the duo. There's some anticipation building to see how they work out. If they both score close to 20 a game and we're winning, they'll likely get in. Curry being so efficient with the shots he gets, he won't need a lot of them to get enough points. 8 trips to the line every game helps as well. If he can improve his FT%, that right there could get him over the top.

Let's also remember that Zach scores most of his points away from the basket. He's making a lot of short jumpers half hooks and flips while on the move. Steph may very well get more assists, cuz all those passes he made to Frye that he didn't shoot or convert will be going to Zach and Q will get more open looks too. I don't know about 12 asts, but he should go up.

Lee should also benefit from having Zach, cuz last year when he was out there with the second unit, there wasn't much focus to the offense. Now teams will be slightly distracted by Zach and Lee will have more freedom to do what he does. So he could sneak in there.

It's a tough call, but I still feel like it will be Zach and Curry.

If nobody makes it and the knicks bust ass and it shows in the win column then it doesn't matter. Spreading the wealth is what's gonna make it work anyway.

For the sake of the poll? Crawford. That would be really nice if he can finally emerge as a consistant threat.

Enyspree, without a question, I would rather have all players playing solidly, creating a winning record, as opposed to having a couple of all stars but no wins.

Nixluva, great post and points, and I hope you're right. We gotto see how Curry does on the boards though. If he plays similar to last year, I can totally see Zach and/or Lee making it before him, but if Curry can improve his rebounding and defense, he's a shoe in.

Akrud, it might not be a scoring competition, but who do you think makes it. Lee who gets 15-12 or Curry who gets 25-7. I think it goes to Curry.

Again though, I'm just basing this on production. Again, as eny said, and as I agreed with, I'd rather everyone just play solidly and smart bball and play hard all the time, and we get a lot more wins, then just have a couple of all stars, without anything to show in the wins column.

Curry or Zack are the two likely choices and I pick Zack. Zack had some problems with the law, but most people say that the kid is committed to improving his game and becoming a dominant player. I think by the middle of the season, it will be clear that Zack is our best young player.

Barring injury or trade, these 9 are most likely going to be on the Eastern Conference All Star Team:

Jason Kidd
Vince Carter
Dwyane Wade
LeBron James
Gilbert Arenas
Chris Bosh
Jermaine O'Neal
Dwight Howard
Shaquille O'Neal (Hate it all you want, it's still going to happen)

That leaves 3 spots remaining on the 12 player team.

I think that Billups, Redd and Joe Johnson are the most obvious choices to round out the team. Johnson and Billups both made the team last year and Redd would have if not injured.

Players left out:

Paul Pierce
Ray Allen
Richard Hamilton
Caron Butler
Luol Deng
Antawn Jamison
Rashard Lewis
Emeka Okafor
Ben Gordon
Kirk Hinrich
Al Jefferson
Richard Jefferson
Jason Richardson
Gerald Wallace

There are 7-8 former all stars in that group, including 3 players from what most people consider to be one of the better Eastern Conference teams, the Bulls. Even their team performance wouldn't necessarily guarantee one of them a spot.

As for the Knicks. Marbury isn't making it. Lee isn't going to be considered over guys like Butler and Deng, who may not even make the team. Crawford isn't making it over Allen or Hamilton among others.

That leaves Randolph and Curry. I think Randolph's numbers last year were an aberration. He was on a really bad and young team where he could launch as many shots as he wanted. I think his numbers go back to around 18/8. Curry's will also come back to around 17/6.

I take a complete player like Okafor ahead of either of them if the East needs a big man. I also think that Al Jefferson is going to break out after having a very good second half last year (20/10 over the last 20 games). His team added an offensive star in Allen but he's strictly a perimeter player which can only help open space for Jefferson in the paint.

The bottom line is that there are too many really deserving players, players who have made all star teams in the past, to seriously consider any of those Knicks players.

With KG in the east, barring injury or trade, there's no chance the Knicks send a player to the all star game.

Not that they had a chance even without KG being in Boston.

If Curry rebounded and played D he would be an all-star this year. His offense is already clearly all-star caliber at his position. His lack of commitment to those two items are the only things that hold him back.