Gavin Schall here, the host of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Jalen Brunson’s All-Star Case: Can He Secure a Starting Spot?
Jan 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after a basket during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta/Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
As the NBA All-Star starters are set to be announced tonight, the buzz around Jalen Brunson’s candidacy is reaching a fever pitch. The New York Knicks guard has been making waves this season, and his potential to secure a starting spot in the All-Star game is a hot topic among fans and analysts alike.
Brunson’s journey to potential All-Star starter status has been impressive. In the latest fan voting returns, he sits in fourth place among Eastern Conference guards. While this puts him just outside the starting lineup, there’s still a chance for him to climb the ranks before the final tally.
The All-Star selection process has evolved over the years. It’s no longer just about fan votes. The current system weighs fan votes at 50%, with player and media votes each accounting for 25%. This change gives players like Brunson, who might not have the biggest fan bases but are respected by their peers and the media, a fighting chance.
Last year, Brunson finished tied for second overall in the guard category, despite being fifth in fan voting. He came in third in player voting and second in media voting, showcasing the respect he commands within the league and among basketball journalists.
This year, Brunson’s case for a starting spot is even stronger. The Knicks are currently sitting pretty at third in the Eastern Conference with a 29-16 record. Team success often plays a significant role in All-Star voting, and Brunson’s leadership has been crucial to New York’s impressive season.
Statistically, Brunson is having a stellar year. He’s putting up impressive numbers and has had several standout performances that catch the eye of voters. His ability to lead the Knicks to victory in high-pressure situations has not gone unnoticed.
The competition for the guard spots is fierce. Donovan Mitchell seems likely to secure one of the starting positions, leaving Brunson to compete with players like LaMelo Ball and Damian Lillard for the second spot. While Ball leads all East guards in fan voting, his team’s poor record might hurt his chances with players and media.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Jalen Brunson’s All-Star candidacy, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
• Karl-Anthony Towns’ strong position for an All-Star starting spot
• The new All-Star Game format and its potential impact
• Analysis of Brunson’s statistical case compared to other guard candidates
Nov 27, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the first half against the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Listen, it might not happen. LaMelo Ball currently leads the Eastern backcourt by a billion fan votes, giving him a substantial leg up in the race to be an All-Star starter. But that’s only half the accounting. He’ll have to do better than last year’s seventh-place voting among both media and players to snag himself a spot as a starter, or else his selection falls to the mercy of coaches who have historically valued winning.
But Ball undoubtedly is better than he was last year, or the year before, or even the year before that, when he did make the All-Star game as a reserve in just his second season. Health is a major reason; Ball played just 58 games in those two non-All-Star seasons, and he’s played half that many this year alone.
Is better enough? The progression isn’t linear; Ball has skipped into a whole new chart entirely, leaving behind the constraints of a two-dimensional line graph for a multi-dimensional view. That can confuse people, and confusion breeds distrust. He inspires a special dislike in people who consider themselves real basketball fans. They take the game Seriously and expect Ball to do the same.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Must Read Mike Shearer of Basketball Poetry takes a look at who actually deserves to be in the 24-man All-Star game based on their season to this point.
Analysis Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau emphasizes disciplined play, stating, “You can’t just randomly run around and do things,” highlighting the importance of structured team strategies and execution on the court. Read more.
Ranking In the 2024-25 midseason report card, the Knicks received grades assessing their performance so far, providing insights into areas of strength and needed improvements. See the grades. (Bleacher Report)
Honor Two Knicks players have been named as 2025 NBA All-Star starters, spotlighting their exceptional performances and contributions to the team this season. Meet the stars. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball Thursday Preview: Injury Updates, Streaming Options, and Key Matchups
Jan 19, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after greeting court-side friends following the victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The NBA slate for Thursday features nine games, including an early start in Paris between the Spurs and Pacers. As we look ahead to the action, there are several key injury updates and streaming options to consider.
In the Spurs-Pacers matchup, Jeremy Sochan is the only player currently on the injury report, with indications he may return. For the Pacers, Aaron Nesmith’s recent return impacts the minutes distribution for players like Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell. Keep an eye on Stephon Castle as a potential streaming option for the Spurs.
The Blazers-Magic game has a lengthy injury list. For Portland, Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons are questionable, while Matisse Thybulle is out. On the Magic side, Jalen Suggs is out, Goga Bitadze is doubtful, and Franz Wagner is questionable to return. This game presents numerous streaming opportunities, with Robert Williams and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as intriguing options.
Jimmy Butler Suspended
In an unsurprising turn of events, Jimmy Butler has been suspended for two games for missing a team flight. This situation continues to be frustrating for the Miami Heat and fantasy managers alike. With Butler out, look for increased opportunities for players like Caleb Martin and Nikola Jović.
Injury Updates and Streaming Options
As we approach Thursday’s games, it’s crucial to stay updated on injury reports and be prepared for early lineup locks, especially with the Paris game starting at 2 PM Eastern.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Thursday’s NBA action, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
3peat (ICYMI)
Mikal Bridges And The New York Knicks ANNIHILATE The Memphis Grizzlies
The New York Knicks decimated the Memphis Grizzlies with a commanding 143-106 victory, showcasing their ridiculously high two-way ceiling. Mikal Bridges delivered an exceptional performance, locking down Ja Morant on one end and showing the full breadth of his offensive game on the other. OG Anunoby’s defensive prowess and Karl-Anthony Towns’ strong second-half performance were pivotal, while the Knicks’ bench players, including Precious Achiuwa and Deuce McBride, contributed significantly to the win in their best collective performance of the season. Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe break down the Knicks’ most complete game of the season highlighting key moments and player contributions that could redefine their year.
The Knicks DEMOLISH the Kings In One Of Their Best Offensive Games This Season
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks 143-120 win over the Kings, one where the Knicks’ offense reached some of its highest highs of this season. Josh Hart notched yet another triple-double, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges both cooked on the same night, and Jalen Brunson showed his floor general chops with another brilliant passing night.
Jalen Brunson And Karl-Anthony Towns Are All-Star Starters! Are They Top 15 Players In The League?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe celebrate the Knicks having two All-Star starters for the first time in 50 years! They breakdown the vote and some surprising finishes for the other Knicks before asking a very important question. Are Brunson and KAT both Top 15 players in the league?
