The All-Star Game lives in two states: It’s either back or ruined forever. No in between.

My column on Chris Paul’s abrupt retirement and the 21 years of mastery that preceded it:

On Chris Paul, master of the minuscule: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Your weekly notebook:

Chris Paul announces his retirement on Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DUtPyqHiax...

James Harden is already causing frenzies. Jose Alvarado provides a specific type of insurance. And a second-draft candidate went to the perfect place. This week’s around-the-NBA notebook: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

The NBA choosing Jared McCain as the final participant for a celebrity 3-point shooting contest that includes Druski before the Friday celebrity game is one of the great decisions in league history.

Jose Alvarado in his third game with the Knicks (in only 19 minutes played): • 26 points • 8-13 FGs • 8-13 3Ps • 3 rebounds • 4 assists • 5 steals • +35

Jose Alvarado clearly doesn't understand that it takes time to adjust.

The Knicks have TWENTY-FOUR assists at halftime.

Doesn’t matter who’s wearing the jerseys. The Pacers and Knicks are incapable of playing a normal basketball game.

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, fielding five burning questions about the Knicks with @jledwardsiii.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...

The NBA — nay, the universe — needs a Hornets-Pistons first-round series.

Got together with @fredkatz.bsky.social to talk about the state of the Knicks as the “second half” of the season is upon us: — trade deadline thoughts — what’s changed most? — any stock into two bad Detroit losses? — has our preseason prediction changed? Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Knicks had Nuggets, then Pistons, then Celtics and won two of the three. They're playing impressive ball. Nine out of 10 overall now.

Gotta say, this is a heck of a debut for Jose Alvarado.

Tanking in the NBA has never been this shameless.

The Bulls and Hornets amended the Coby White trade after a physical showed White had a left calf injury and would have to miss time, league sources tell @theathletic.com. Hornets are now sending two second-rounders (2031 NYK, 2031 DEN) to Chicago instead of three.

Want thoughts on your team’s deadline? They’re in here:

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, discussing Jose Alvarado and what's next for the Knicks with @jonathanmacri.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...

Some organizations changed directions. Some forged down the same path. With the trade deadline behind us, here is a look at what each team's approach to the week indicates about its future: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

It happened again. Knicks received the draft rights to Latavious Williams, the 48th pick in the 2010 draft, as part of the Jose Alvarado trade, league sources say. As usual with NY, these draft rights are completely useless for team building. The Knicks' favorite bit continues

One miniature trade from yesterday that you probably didn't notice could signal something important about the Thunder. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

BREAKING: Knicks guard Miles “Deuce” McBride will undergo surgery Friday on a core muscle injury, more commonly referred to as a sports hernia, and could be sidelined until the playoffs, league sources tell @jledwardsiii.bsky.social and myself. Story coming soon.

More importantly, I just assume this means they're trying to get a draft rights guy from the 1992 second round.

There is a reason the Guerschon Yabusele for Dalen Terry trade isn't official yet. Knicks, who have a bunch of second-round picks, are still searching the market to see if they can add. Want to leave open the option of looping the Yabu deal into another trade.

The Mavericks had no other choice than to start over. Column on the Anthony Davis trade, which brings Dallas flexibility and, more importantly, closure: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

What a win for the Knicks. Denver is awesome, even without Gordon. Second night of a back-to-back. Jokic has a 30-point triple-double. Murray goes for 39. And Knicks pull out their eighth straight win in double-overtime.

Incredible atmosphere at MSG tonight. One of the best of the season.

Does Polymarket take bets on what Mitchell Robinson's Facebook status is gonna be after that Jokic crossover?

Mitchell Robinson is something else. Just full-on swatted Nikola Jokic on a 3-pointer. And after he crossed up Jokic and threw down a dunk.

Initial reaction to the Wizards landing Anthony Davis: Why not? Still a great player when healthy. And got him in the door without losing a core piece or important draft pick. Will be very interesting to see how they approach his extension eligibility this summer.

Here is a FREE PREVIEW from today's episode of Katz and Shoot, in which @jledwardsiii.bsky.social and I discuss the Knicks' lead-up to the trade deadline. Especially if you've been on the fence about subscribing to the show, give this a listen: www.patreon.com/posts/free-p...

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, talking about the Knicks' six-game winning streak and previewing the trade deadline with @jledwardsiii.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...

Landry Shamet is on the shortlist of most important minimum players in the NBA.

Knicks have adjusted pick-and-roll coverages with KAT during this winning streak. Lots more icing. Always in some type of drop. He's been good at it. So it's probably no coincidence Brown's first TO tonight comes after a PnR where both KAT and OG follow the ball handler.

Your All-Star reserves ... East: Jalen Duren, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Johnson, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, Scottie Barnes West: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, Deni Avdija, Devin Booker, Chet Holmgren

There are few joys in life like listening to Eric Collins when the Hornets are absolutely rolling.

Paul George has been suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti drug program, the league announced.

Programming note: I am out sick, which means there will be no Friday notebook this week. Also won’t be able to record the previously scheduled episode of Katz and Shoot. Will make up the missed episode to my podcast subscribers with an additional episode in the weeks upcoming.

Five teams to watch at the trade deadline: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, talking deadline anxiety, that insane ending in Philadelphia, Mitchell Robinson's importance and more with @sbondynba.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...

Truly one of the silliest endings you'll ever see

Even acknowledging that the Knicks just won a game by 54, the third quarter against the Sixers is the best period they've played in weeks. Pick any area of the game — they dominated it.

NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, picking All-Star reserves with @byjayking.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/148870...

The Knicks offense has gotten away from its mantra. The Rockets are procrastinating swiftly. And Royce O’Neale is sharing from the chest. This week’s around-the-NBA notebook: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Chet Holmgren has become one of the NBA's top defenders. Here are his secrets, as told by Holmgren himself in an exclusive film session with The Athletic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

The Knicks are winning by 56 points.

You can say it's the Nets, but the Knicks needed this one — a wire-to-wire smackdown of a team they should smack down.

The Knicks look like the Knicks again.