D'Antoni expects Melo, Amar'e for 3-peat
Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony talk during their preseason game against the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden. (Dec. 21, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
GREENBURGH, N.Y -- Mike D'Antoni expects Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire to play every game of the Knicks' back-to-back-to-back that starts Thursday night, and doesn't know when to expect Baron Davis to play.
Anthony returned Tuesday after missing two games to rest his sprained right ankle, left wrist and right thumb and scored 25 points to help the Knicks beat the Pistons. In that game, Stoudemire sprained his right ankle when he tripped over a jump rope that was on the court during post-halftime warm-ups.
Stoudemire was limited during the Knicks' non-contact practice Wednesday and Anthony did everything. D'Antoni said he's preparing as if he will have the two All-Star forwards Thursday night against the Bulls, Friday at Boston and Saturday versus the Nets.
"The plan going in is we're playing all three and winning all three," D'Antoni said. "Now we'll see how it goes."
Stoudemire already said he would be able to play in all three games, and didn't seem concerned about his ankle. Following the Pistons game, Anthony said he wasn't sure about playing in all three.
Neither player was available after practice, but D'Antoni said the Knicks would do what's best for the player. "We'll just listen to their bodies and listen to the medical staff and if somebody's minutes have got to cut down or if they have to miss because they're hurt then that's what we'll do," D'Antoni said. "Everybody will be ready to play all three games as long as they can play."
When Davis can play remains unclear.
He continues to rehab a herniated disc, and originally D'Antoni said the point guard would "ramp up" his work Wednesday. However, D'Antoni said Wednesday if the Knicks had a contact practice Davis would not have been able to participate.
D'Antoni hasn't said Davis has had a setback. But Davis has gone from possibly playing last week, to possibly this week and to now possibly next week, but D'Antoni is unsure.
"I really don't know," D'Antoni said. "I don't know the timetable. I don't know if he'll be ready next week. I don't know if he'll be ready tomorrow, I don't know if it's a month. Just don't know."
With Davis' situation unsettled, much like the overall point guard position, the Knicks could pursue Ramon Sessions. The Cavaliers guard is available and previously has drawn interest from the Knicks.
The Knicks also have interest in former Nuggets J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin, two players who signed to play China and aren't available until their respective teams' seasons are over. The China Basketball Association schedules its last games for Feb. 15.
"I think those are things you monitor," D'Antoni said. "I think those are things you keep your eye on."
Notes & quotes: D'Antoni knows a win over Detroit doesn't mean his job security is on solid ground. "The only thing last night proved is I can get one good night's sleep this week," he said. "Other than that we're still 8-13 and the posse is after me. I'm running as fast as I can run. Hopefully I can turn the posse into a parade. That's what I'm going to try to do. That's my focus and I'm working as hard as I can work them."
