Stat back! Finally! Knicks coach Mike Woodson said that Amar’e Stoudemire will play “10-15 minutes” in game 3 against the Pacers. Let’s get this W! #KnicksTape
More details and Amare’s comments after the jump…
Via Jared Zwerling at ESPN:
The New York Knicks have established a playing-time plan for Amar’e Stoudemire, stating that the power forward will play between 10 and 15 minutes Saturday in his return from knee surgery.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson acknowledged earlier this week that Stoudemire, who hasn’t played since March 7 while recovering from right knee debridement, could play in Game 3 of New York’s Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers.
Woodson laid out a more detailed plan Thursday after Stoudemire did not experience any setbacks during his recovery.
“It won’t be very many minutes,” Woodson said. “I’m thinking somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes, if that.”
Stoudemire doesn’t care how much he plays — he just wants to help the team any way he can.
“It’s whatever. It’s a matter of will,” Stoudemire said. “I can play whatever the coaching staff wants me to play. … Any time you get on the court, you have a chance to make an impact on the game. So if I’m able to play for Game 3, however time coach Woodson puts me in for, I’m going to definitely contribute.”
Stoudemire also believes he can be the same dominant player during the time he’s in the game.
“Despite injuries, I still have to work and definitely work toward becoming that great player again,” he said. “So as I continue to practice and get in better shape and improve, I should be able to play at a high level.”
(Story Continues…)
