NBA All-Star Game 2012: The Top 5 Knicks All-Star Appearances of All Time

The NBA's annual All-Star weekend is underway, and the New York Knicks have nothing short of their fair share of representatives in the weekend's events.

Even without the presence of captain Amar'e Stoudemire and defensive stalwart Tyson Chandler, the Knicks will have stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Landry Fields and Jeremy Lin out there to fly the blue and orange flag, and even Knicks legend Allan Houston will have a chance to strut his stuff.

These aren't the first instances of Knicks in the All-Star weekend though, as the Knicks have had a number of great performances in the weekend since the All-Star game's creation back in 1951.

From Walt Frazier's All-Star Game MVP in 1975, to Nate Robinson's three dunk contest victories in the late 00's, there have been a number of outstanding feats by Knicks in the NBA's marquee weekend, so without further ado let's go through the top five. 

5. Amar'e Stoudemire Becomes the First Knick Starter Since Patrick Ewing

Last year, Amar'e Stoudemire famously proclaimed upon arrival in New York that the Knicks were "back," and one way in which the Knicks were back was in the NBA All-Star game.

David Lee had appeared in the game recently, but not since Patrick Ewing 20 years earlier did the Knicks have a starter in the game.

That all changed in 2011.

In a season in which he was a serious MVP candidate, Amar'e received a whopping 1,674,995 votes to lead him to an appearance in LA.

Stoudemire was the joint-leading scorer for the East in the game—along with LeBron James—scoring 29 in 28 minutes.

Unfortunately Amar'e hasn't quite made the cut for the All-Star roster in 2012, but instead teammate Carmelo Anthony will be replacing him alongside James, as a forward for the Eastern Conference.

4. Willis Reed's MVP in 1970

So much time has passed since Willis Reed's All-Star game MVP in 1970 that I can't even find a photo of Reed celebrating his award.

This shouldn't diminish his achievement, though, as Reed is one of only two Knicks ever to have won the award, with the other being his teammate Walt Frazier.

Reed will forever be remembered for his 10 years of service holding down the paint for the Knicks and, of course, his injury-defying performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, but his All-Star MVP is yet another great achievement to add to the list.

3. Patrick Ewing's Stretch of 11 Appearances in 12 Years

Patrick Ewing is arguably the greatest player ever to put on a Knick jersey, and his All-Star resume lends itself greatly to that sentiment.

Ewing was an All-Star in 11 of his 17 seasons in the NBA (all in a span of 12 years), and it is this stretch, rather than any one performance, that lands Ewing the No. 3 spot on this list.

Ewing's physical style of play was symbolic of '90s Eastern Conference basketball and in particular his New York Knicks, allowing him to be chosen to play in the All-Star Game so many times.

No. 33 even managed to start a few All-Star games during his career, a testament to his popularity around the league.

2. Walt "Clyde" Frazier's MVP in 1975

As the second of only two Knicks to ever win the NBA All-Star Game MVP award, Walt "Clyde" Frazier fittingly makes the No. 2 spot on this list.

The legendary point guard (and now broadcaster) made the game seven times in his 13-year career, with no better appearance than his MVP showing in 1975.

Frazier finished the game with a stat line of 30 points, five rebounds and two assists, and it is this superior stat line that puts him ahead of Willis Reed, who amassed only 21 points, 11 rebounds and zero assists..

1. Nate Robinson's Three Dunk Contest Victories

For a man standing at 5'9", it's pretty amazing just to be able to dunk on a regulation-sized NBA rim. To be able to get off a flashy dunk on that same rim is pretty shocking too, but to win the Slam Dunk Contest not once, but a record three times is just insane.

And that's why Nate Robinson ranks No. 1 on this list.

As a player during the lost era of Knicks basketball, Robinson's performances were a rare bright spot for the 'Bockers.

Despite not being a great player in general play, Robinson's three dunk contest victories were arguably the greatest of all time, for nothing else but the size disadvantage he had compared to the other contestants.

This year, Iman Shumpert was in the running to try and start his campaign to eventually overtake Nate Robinson in terms of dunk contest victories, but an injury has kept him out of the competition.