Young Knicks expect to lean heavily on Stoudemire

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Exactly who will be in the Knicks' starting lineup Wednesday in Toronto remains a mystery. Coach Mike D'Antoni said he needs one more practice before he makes a decision.

The Knicks had seven players - Amar'e Stoudemire, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Raymond Felton, Toney Douglas, Wilson Chandler and Landry Fields - practicing with the first team Monday. The big mystery spot is at shooting guard, where the coaching staff seems to be debating whether to go with a Felton-Douglas backcourt or have Chandler or Fields start at the position and use Douglas off the bench.

One thing does seem to be certain as the Knicks prepare to open their most eagerly anticipated season in years: They are going to be relying heavily on five-time All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire to lead their young team, both on and off the court.

Stoudemire, 27, is the oldest player on the team. Of the seven potential starters, only he and Felton have more than three years of NBA experience.

Entering the season with a new team, a new contract and new role as a leader could be a lot of pressure for some players. Stoudemire, however, said he isn't feeling it.

"For me, personally, this team hasn't made the playoffs in nine or 10 years, so anything better than what they've done might be a success," Stoudemire said.

The Knicks actually last made the playoffs in 2004, when they were swept by the Nets in the first round. They haven't won a playoff series since 2000, when they beat the Raptors and the Heat. Nevertheless, Stoudemire is correct in his belief that the bar for improvement is pretty low.

Stoudemire said he also doesn't feel any pressure in being a leader. One reason is that he has played with so many "great leaders" and believes he has learned something from each of them.

"There was Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Shaquille O'Neal, Anfernee Hardaway. Tom Gugliotta was a great, great leader," Stoudemire said. "I can take a positive from each. From some players, you take the work ethic. From other players, you would take the way they voiced their opinion inside the timeouts. From others, it's how they came back from injuries. They all helped me."

Now Stoudemire is looking to help younger players. D'Antoni is banking on his leadership - and his scoring ability.

Said D'Antoni: "Everything will flow through him. Voice-wise, leadership-wise and obviously basketball. We'll need him [to produce] at least 75 nights out of 82."