To Mike, Amare’s fit for ‘4’
CHICAGO — Carmelo Anthony has flourished in his new role but apparently he shouldn’t get too comfortable playing power forward.
Mike Woodson made it clear that when Amar’e Stoudemire returns from a back injury, he will immediately step into the starting lineup. Stoudemire missed his eighth straight game Tuesday night with a bulging disc in his back and is not expected to play on Wednesday in Milwaukee.
His status for Friday’s home game against Washington is uncertain, but there are encouraging signs that Stoudemire is making progress, including his participation in Tuesday’s morning practice.
“I’ve got to think the doctors and Amar’e are on the same page in terms of where he is,” Woodson said before Tuesday night’s loss to the Bulls. “And when they tell me he’s ready to go, he’ll be right back in the starting lineup, playing the way I expect him to play.”
In theory, a healthy Stoudemire should enhance the odds of the Knicks not only securing a playoff berth, but also of advancing past the first round. However, Stoudemire and Anthony have yet to prove they can successfully coexist on the court. The Knicks are 29-28 overall but just 16-20 when Anthony and Stoudemire both play. That includes a six-game losing streak that ultimately led to Mike D’antoni stepping down as coach.
Stoudemire continued his media boycott on Tuesday, even though he’ll still engage the Knicks’ traveling beat writers in casual conversation, he says he’s not ready to answer questions about his injury and/or status. In the meantime, Stou- demire is working with Knicks trainer Dave Hancock, and the intensity of their sessions has increased. Stoudemire is now able to run and dunk.
“He’s still working out, taking it a day at a time,” Woodson said. “He looks pretty good. Again, I think it’s going to be up to Amar’e and the doctors when he decides to make his move.
“Until he tells me he’s ready to play, I got to continue to go to guys that are in uniform. When he tells me, I’m going to welcome him back with open arms big time.”
FOR THE RECORD
Anthony said that Woodson’s record “speaks for itself” when asked if the Knicks’ interim coach is making a compelling case to drop that tag.
“He’s doing a great job of ... due to circumstances of what happened with the coaching change,” Anthony said. “He’s responded well. I think at this point all he’s really concerned about is winning basketball games and he’s been doing that so that kinda speaks for itself.”
The Knicks are 11-4 since Woodson replaced D’antoni. When D’antoni stepped down, Garden chairman James Dolan said the club would re-evaluate its coaching options after the season. Woodson has put himself in position to return and could enhance his odds by winning one or two playoff games.
However, the Knicks may also explore Phil Jackson, and according to sources, they’re also interested in Kentucky’s John Calipari.
When asked if he wants to have a say in who coaches the team, Anthony replied: “I don’t know, man. As far as right now, me and Mike or nobody else has talked about that. When the season is over I’m pretty sure that will be discussed.”