Knicks' plan will restrict minutes for Amar'e Stoudemire
The Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire talks to reporters after practice at the team's NBA training camp at the U.S. Military Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, in West Point, N.Y. Credit: AP / Mike Groll
There was a familiar sight at Knicks practice Tuesday with Amar'e Stoudemire standing and watching from the sideline.
That was by design, according to Derek Fisher. He said Stoudemire practiced for the first two hours and he was pulled to try and preserve him in hopes that he can play a full season. Fisher said Stoudemire, whose minutes have been restricted the past two years because of knee issues, will practice Wednesday.
"We have a great plan that we have in place for how we want to manage Amar'e, so he's available to us every night this year," Fisher said. "We think that plan that we have will work. We got to that point where we felt like it was time to pull him out."
Stoudemire, who is in the last year of his contract, hopes to play more than the 65 games he appeared in last season.
"There's no limitations as far as games played at this point," Stoudemire said. "Again, it's up to the coaching staff and the medical staff to figure out what the game plan is, but at this point, I feel great, and if the Lord's willing, I'll play 82 games."
No problem with security
J.R. Smith on getting through security at the U.S. Military Academy: "I was like, 'Hey man, I come in peace, I don't want no problems over here.' Dude had his big AK-47. Yeah, OK, if you are good with me, I am good with you."
