All eyes will be on Kobe Bryant this NBA All-Star weekend -- and for good reason since the five-time champion will retire at season's end -- but peripheral vision will be reserved for Kristaps Porzingis.

The Knicks rookie won't partake in the main event on Sunday. Apparently, finishing sixth in the frontcourt voting and boasting the fourth-best selling jersey in the NBA wasn't enough of a message for his inclusion. He will, however, be present for the Friday night's Rising Stars Challenge.

Jeff Teague Key For Knicks Playoff Push

Porzingis will face the American-born squad. He'll also be in as hot demand as any player, doing a media circuit that includes radio and TV interviews, per New York Post.

Karl-Anthony Towns can walk with NBA Rookie of the Year. NBA fans will still clamor for the Latvian international.

Kristaps Porzingis Smart To Avoid Endorsements

You would think a 1-10 slide, watching his coach Derek Fisher get fired and a 23-32 record would be enough to kill all that momentum.

But it's never easy to bring down something that's 7'3".

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