Not gonna lie, I was surprised when I read this. I wouldn’t think Stat would be ok with riding the pine, but it’s great to see that he’s being a team player!
Amar’e Stoudemire would accept a role as the New York Knicks’ sixth man if asked, two sources with knowledge of Stoudemire’s thinking told ESPNNewYork.com.
“All he cares about right now is helping the team and winning,” said one source, who has been around Stoudemire regularly in recent weeks. “He’d be fine with coming off the bench if that’s what they want.”
Stoudemire hasn’t spoken with reporters since suffering a left knee injury in the preseason. He’s been rehabilitating his knee following arthroscopic surgery for the past four weeks and is expected to miss at least another two weeks.
There has been speculation about what role Stoudemire will play once he returns.
Many believe Stoudemire would be a better fit coming off the bench for coach Mike Woodson’s team. Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony have had a tough time developing cohesion on offense — the Knicks have a losing record while the two stars are in the same starting lineup.
Both Anthony and Stoudemire are effective operating in isolation around the elbow, which is just one reason why they haven’t had success while sharing the floor together.
Additionally, Stoudemire and Knicks starting center Tyson Chandler are seen by some as a bad match when paired together.
Chandler is the Knicks’ primary screener on the pick-and-roll, a role Stoudemire has thrived throughout his career.
A source close to Stoudemire who has visited with the veteran power forward recently said Stoudemire wants to help the Knicks, who were 9-4 entering play Wednesday, and doesn’t want to affect any chemistry the team has established.
“He just wants to win,” the source says. “He sees how well they’re playing and just wants to help. He’ll be fine with whatever they want to do.”
(STORY CONTINUES…)
WRITTEN BY Ian Begley | Special to ESPNNewYork.com & FULL STORY HERE
