It is hard to deny that Latrell Sprewell has been the most valuable Knick this season, especially looking at how the team started out with him sidelined due to injury.  Yet on the verge of the All-Star reserves being announced Sprewell is looking towards teammate Allan Houston to get the nod rather than himself.

"The record should hurt us, but Allan's been great," Sprewell said. "He's one guy who definitely deserves to be there. He had a great first half. [Kurt's] played well but I don't know if it's going to happen."

While Sprewell lobbies for the player he wanted traded not that long ago, his coach Don Cheaney is pushing hard for Kurt Thomas to be selected as a center.

"Because of the circumstances in the East, with the absence of centers, I'd be disappointed if he didn't [make it]," Chaney said of Thomas. "Allan is in a tough field because the number of 2-guards, but I think he'll get consideration. But I think Kurt has an excellent chance because a lot of centers in the league are hurt."

"It would be a great accomplishment but that's not the most important thing for me now," Thomas said.