Whenever a star player goes out with an injury and the team is on a roll, it’s always tough for a coach to figure out how to ease him back into the rotation. Knicks Coach Mike Woodson had to deal with that earlier in the season when the Knicks got off to a hot start while Amar’e Stoudemire was out. Woodson’s solution was to bring him off the bench which seemed fine with Amar’e.
As Stoudemire works his way back from knee surgery, Woodson is faced with having to figure out what to do with him should New York reach the second round (which seems quite likely). Woodson says that if Amar’e is healthy, he’ll play.
Amar’e Stoudemire, who had knee surgery March 11, said he could be ready in the second round. If he is, Mike Woodson said he “absolutely” will play. Woodson said he’s not worried about a disruption of the chemistry the Knicks have built in winning 19 of 21. “Not at all,” he said. “You guys worry about that. I don’t. I really don’t. He’s a big piece to our puzzle.”
H/T: Newsday
