By MARC BERMAN

There’s been a debate in some circles about whether it’s good or bad if the Knicks make the playoffs this season. Let’s end it right now. It’s silly, misguided and overthinking the world. I can’t stand such chatter. There is no debate. Patrick Ewing isn’t coming out of college this June.

As Mike D’Antoni said, if they don’t make the playoffs, they won’t have a chance to post an landmark upset over Boston or Cleveland and take over the city.

Is it that thrilling for the Knicks to have the 12th seed in the lottery with less than a 1 percent chance of winning it. Fact is, the odds are overwhelming they would stay at 12. And I’m told there isn’t much of a difference between 12 and 16 in this weak draft.

So let’s end the silliness. The Knicks moved into a virtual tie with MIlwaukee tonight for eighth place before a roaring Garden. They’ve won seven of 10. They are ahead of the Nets. They ripped the Hawks in the second half, with Nate Robinson going bonkers in the fourth quarter with 20 points. Enjoy the win. Enjoy this playoff hunt. Hope it ends with a playoff berth and first-round matchup against the Celtics.

That’s a lot more fun that watching the lottery on television, watching the Knicks win the 12th pick in the draft.

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It’s a shame the coaches weren’t voting for All-Star reserves this afternoon with the Knicks tied for the eighth seed. That would’ve helped David Lee’s cause. The ballots were due couple of days ago. We had 12 yes votes for Dave, 10 no votes as of early this morning. At 20-25, with the improvement from last season, the Knicks’ record would not have impeded him as much. They are three wins away from their total from last season and could get there before the All-Star Break. As for my no vote, a true-blue All-Star to me is someone who can carry a team on its back in the final minute and win a game. Lee has never done that. The Philly example was emblematic of his four seasons, his inability to carry a team to a win in the clutch. Plus, he’s only had these gaudy numbers for half a season. Let him do it a whole season first. If he has the same numbers next year on a winning team, he’s got my vote.