The New York Knicks are 18-6 this year, sitting on top of the Eastern Conference. They finally look like the team they should have been for the last few years, and they have done it without Amar’e Stoudemire seeing the floor.
Now that Stoudemire is returning from his knee injury, there are questions as to whether he would help or hurt the team by joining the starting lineup.
As the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but Stoudemire has too much talent and he is getting paid too much money just to sit on the bench.
There have been questions ever since Stoudemire joined the Knicks as to whether or not the team was a good fit for him. If he returns and the Knicks start struggling, I imagine he will be gone before the trade deadline.
For now though, he says he is willing to take on any role the Knicks want to give him.
"You guys know me, ever since I've been here I've been all about winning and been a total team player," Stoudemire said. "Whatever it takes to win, that's the goal."
Being a team player will probably mean coming off the bench and leading what should be a pretty good second unit along with J.R. Smith.
I am sure the Knicks and head coach Mike Woodson are hoping that Stoudemire accepts this new role and thrives in it, but I have my doubts.
Amar’e had the perfect role as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Mike D’Antoni had drawn up a perfect scheme that revolved around him and Steve Nash and ever since he left Phoenix, he has not been the same. I doubt he will ever find the same magic in New York.
With two months until the trade deadline, I imagine the Knicks will at least consider moving Stoudemire for a big man that plays a little bit better defense and can gel alongside Carmelo Anthony. If no one is interested, then we may see Stoudemire coming off the Knicks’ bench for the rest of the year.
Image: Yahoo! Sports
