Stoudemire Returns To Knicks Tonight As They Host The Portland Trailblazers.
According to multiple NBA league sources (Chris Broussard™), the 11-year veteran Amar’e Stoudemire will finally make his 2013 season debut tonight at the Garden when the team hosts the Blazers for the first game of the New Year.
Just 3 days before the 2012-2013 season started, Stat re-injured his surgically repaired left knee with a rupturing a popliteal cyst. In his two year tenure with the Knicks, he’s averaged nearly 20 points a game but with the recent emergence of league MVP Carmelo Anthony’s coming of age in the city that never sleeps, Amar’e will now see his starter role changed to 6-man as he’ll have a reduction in minutes.
Stoudemire has stated he’s open to any role and contribute in any fashion to the team’s success but we’re curious how a former 6-time all-star will feel in May when he’s on the bench in the final minutes of the 4th quarter with Tyson Chandler and Melo handling the front-court side of the things for the team.
The Knicks are off to their best start in over 20 years with a 21-9 record only second in the east to the defending world champion Miami Heat and have been the story of the NBA all year with the team’s success. The team comes down to how effective Amar’e can be off the bench for the 2nd unit with J.R. Smith and Steve Novak to give the team an instant boost of offense when Jason Kidd and Melo are on the bench.
If Stat contributes effectively how he would with “normal” minutes, the Knicks could be the team to watch out for come playoff time and the worst fear of the entire NBA.
OS REWIND: Amar’e Stoudemire Holds Court
OS REWIND: Amar’e Stoudemire’s “Dream” Training With Hakeem Olajuwon