When Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce take the floor for the Eastern Conference next Sunday in Philadelphia, it will mark the first time in 11 years the Celtics have had multiple representatives in the All-Star Game.

That, of course, is a reflection of the team's impressive turnaround this season. In the simplest terms, the Celtics matter again. They are legitimate playoff contenders, and consequently, players on their team deserving of All-Star recognition are getting it.