Is there really any question of who the MVP is at the midway point? David Lee leads the team in scoring (19.9), rebounding (11.2) and field-goal percentage (55.8). He has also become the much-needed go-to player down the stretch the Knicks have been searching for over the previous two seasons and is a major reason why New York is in middle of the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. Oh, and did we mention how he’s in position to become the first Knick since 2001 to make the All-Star team when the reserves are announced next week?

Last season, Wilson Chandler was the Knicks most improved player, and through the first half of this season, he just keeps getting better. Chandler ranks just behind Danilo Gallinari for fourth on the team in scoring with 14.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 46.6 percent from the field after averaging 12.0 on 38.9 percent shooting in the first 18 games. The third-year forward also is arguably the Knicks’ best all-around defender. He’s been asked to guard all five positions and has become the team’s go-to post defender despite being just 6-feet-8 and 225 pounds.

One very positive surprise this season is the play of Danilo Gallinari. Following an injury-plagued rookie campaign, in which he played just 28 games, nobody was sure how quick it would take the Italian to reach his potential. Well, the second-year forward tied the NBA record for most 3-pointers in a season opener with seven in Miami on Oct. 28 and hasn’t stopped shooting since. He is leading the league with a 109 3-pointers made and 267 3-pointers attempted in 40 games while averaging 14.7 points per game. The fact that he has been this good this fast is a pleasant surprise for the Knicks.

While his numbers aren’t eye-popping, Jeffries’ grit, hustle and energy make him an invaluable part of the team’s success. He is the heart of the Knicks defense, and to a man, his teammates say they rally around his effort and enthusiasm. Jeffries isn’t afraid to do the dirty work, ranking fifth in the league with 26 charges drawn. Most importantly, his play directly correlates to Knicks wins as he ranks second on the team in plus-minus with a plus-48 on the season.

With a 17-24 record, the Knicks are only a couple games out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Last season, the eighth-seeded Detroit Pistons needed 39 wins to reach the postseason, and if that’s the case again this year, then New York will have to go 22-19 the rest of the way, which is certainly possible. Mike D’Antoni’s Knicks are four games over .500 since starting the season 3-14.

The Knicks might be well-represented at All-Star Weekend in Dallas next month. Nate Robinson has already signed on to defend his dunking title and David Lee has been mentioned as a candidate to play in his first-ever All-Star game. The contestants for the Three-Point Contest and rookie-sophomore game have not been announced yet, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if Danilo Gallinari - the league’s best shooter from downtown - were to get an invite to both.

Successful teams win at home. After losing eight of their first nine at The Garden, the Knicks won six straight on their home floor during the stretch in December that turned their season around. The Knicks’ overall home record is 10-11, but they will have an opportunity to improve on that as they play their next four games at home and seven of their 11 in February in New York.

Mike D’Antoni has played an eight-man rotation in 17 of the previous 21 games so there is clearly a lot expected of the team’s three subs each night. And they have responded. Al Harrington set the franchise record with 42 points off the bench on Halloween night against Philadelphia and Nate Robinson scored 41 in a reserve role in Atlanta on New Year’s Day. As the season rolls on, New York will need consistent performances from the bench to keep the starters from wearing down.

Opponents have had a difficult time shutting down the Knicks’ pick-and-roll offense so far this season. With Chris Duhon running the point, David Lee rolling to the basket and Danilo Gallinari sitting on the three-point line, the Knicks have used this play to dominate several teams this season and will need to continue to do so as they continue their playoff run.