According to multiple NBA league sources (Chris Broussard™), star PF, Amar’e Stoudemire is planning his return to the New York Knicks lineup on Christmas day against the showtime Los Angeles Lakers. In the off-season, he had knee debridement surgery which team doctors initially expected him to be out the first 8 weeks of the season; but on the weekend before the Knicks season started, we learned Stoudemire re-injured his surgically repaired left knee after receiving a 2nd opinion that advised him to sit out until he was completely healthy.
Earlier today, Amar’e practiced in morning shoot-arounds with the Knicks for the first time this season as he did some running/shooting/lateral drills to see where he was with the rehab process. This is a great sign for you Knicks fans with Stat back on the court to say the least as the team has managed to go 10-4 starting the season tied for 2nd place in the east with new cross-town rival, the Brooklyn Nets.
In his two seasons with the Knicks, he’s averaged 21 as sources around the team have been hinting at a 6th man role upon his return as they’ve been playing well with the front court of Carmelo Anthony & Tyson Chandler. If Stat comes back and dominates second units like we all expect, the Knicks could be a scary team for the entire NBA if they finally click with the team actually focused on playing defense the first time since the 90s.
Jason Kidd who’s been out dealing with back spasms, will be looking for a return to the team next week; while Iman Shumpert who tore his ALC in the playoffs last season against the Heat, will be looking for a 2013 return.
OS REWIND: Amar’e Stoudemire Holds Court
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