Knicks: 3 East All-Star favorites Jalen Brunson is outplaying

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts late in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on January 04, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 117-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

2: LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ball is in the top 10 with a reported 445,696 votes. He’s behind DeMar DeRozan, who has 835,117 votes, so he won’t catch up to DeRozan before voting ends next weekend.

This isn’t a knock against Ball because he’s one of the best young players in the NBA, although he’s also on one of the worst teams in the NBA. He’s averaging 24 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 41.9% from the field and 37.2% from three, but he’s played in only 20 games.

Ball sprained his ankle during the preseason and didn’t make his regular season debut until Nov. 11 but he played in only three games before he injured his left ankle again and sat out for another month. In games played without Ball this season, the Hornets are 6-18 but in games with him, Charlotte is 5-15. The Hornets’ roster construction isn’t a reflection of Ball, but it’s hard to say that a player that has spent more time on the sidelines than in the game so far this season deserves to be an All-Star over Brunson.

LaMelo has a strong young following though, so much so that the younger generation associates him with the nickname Melo, not Carmelo Anthony. That should tell you all that you need to know.

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