Mike Woodson pleased with Amar’e’s production off bench in Knicks winning streak

Since Amar'e' Stoudemire returned to the Knicks in a New Years' Day loss to the Portland Trailblazers–after missing the whole season recovering from his knee surgery–they have gone 10-6 and have ascended to first place in the Atlantic Division

When the Knicks got off to the hot start they did this season in winning their first six games, there was much talk about how and where the injured Amar'e Stoudemire would fit into the team's plans once he regained his healthy. Already thriving without him, Mike Woodson's squad didn't appear to need someone else on the floor of Stoudemire's ability.

However, the power forward fit right in when he rejoined the Knicks after his knee injury subsided, easing his way into the starting lineup. In fact, he has scored in double-figures in 13 of the 16 games he has played so far and shown that he is about as healthy as possible and will be a force to be reckoned with for the Knicks going down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.

Obviously, with the type of production that Amar'e has provided since his season debut just over a month ago, Knicks coach Mike Woodson is certain to be pleased. Clearly worried before his star forward's return how he would fit into the complex puzzle of players he has before him, Woodson should be–and has to be–ecstatic at how everything has worked out so far in terms of his team winning games.

The Knicks appear more formidable than ever now that they have finally figured how to work Amar'e and Melo together in a cohesive and effective way, which makes them about as good as any Eastern Conference team to compete with the defending champion Miami Heat. Looks like Woodson had nothing to worry about in the first place.

About Josh Burton

I'm a New York native who has been a Nets season ticket holder, in both New Jersey and now Brooklyn, since birth. Northwestern University (Medill School of Journalism) '18

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