The big renovation of Madison Square Garden is expected to be finished by the 2011-2012 season. We'll see new seats, more spacious concourses, and new lighting and displays within a few years (Other ideas from the suggestion box: "Bulletproof casing around the courtside seats"-James Dolan. "Ice cream and cake stand near the home bench"- Anonymous). Howard Beck of The Times reports that a new-look Garden could buy New York its first All Star Game since 1998.

Garden executives have already made an unofficial pitch to N.B.A. Commissioner David Stern, who has embraced the prospect.

"I would say it’s a very live possibility," Stern said Wednesday in a telephone interview.

The Garden has to file an application, and there will be competition from other N.B.A. cities, notably Orlando, Fla., which is building a new arena. But New York is likely to emerge as the favorite, given the Garden’s history, the lure of Manhattan and Stern’s enthusiasm for its bid.

It'd be pretty righteous, indeed, to have the All Stars back in town. Who knows where the Knicks will be in five years, though. What if we still don't have any All-Stars on the roster? We'd never hear the end of it. Time to strike preemptively and get a leg up on the competition...

For your consideration: All Star 2012

Gallinari's future career averages of 46.3 ppg, 24.0 rpg, and .847 %3PG* certainly warrant a spot on the East team, so get 'em in early and often. Rock the vote!

(*Actual career statistics may vary)