New York Knicks fans were optimistic about Amar’e Stoudemire heading into the 2012-2013 season after his abysmal and lackluster performance last season.
Out of a possible 66 games, he played and started in 47 games and not to mention his postseason incident that shall remain nameless for the moment. His production was meh-ish at best; especially after a less than phenomenal showing last season with 17.5 points on 48.3% shooting, 7.8 rebounds, and 1 block per game. If one just glances at his line, it doesn’t seem that horrible, but then another glaring fact comes into play: 17/7 for a nearly $19 million dollar contracted 6’10″ power forward isn’t necessarily the greatest thing to commend.
As aforementioned, Stoudemire wasn’t healthy last season in the least, and he missed a total of 19 games. The root of his injuries was a bulging disk and health — as with any player in a professional sports — is of the utmost importance.
Of course there was the fire extinguisher incident that had pundits shaking their head as Stoudemire, a seasoned veteran, shouldn’t be having rookie-like emotional outbursts like that.
Fast forward through the summer and we see a revitalized Amar’e; one that seemed to be determined and focused on working on is post game with Hakeem Olajuwon.Olajuwon spoke candidly on Stoudemire and how he was a perfect student picking up on moves rather quickly.
Knicks fans — as seen on social media — were celebrating in deluded splendor that this might be the Knicks year, but Stoudemire would squash their party.
The Knicks don’t have a power forward in Stoudemire, they have a glass power forward.
Stoudemire’s physical fragility is similar to a dozen eggs, one wrong turn, tumble, swipe…
CREEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!
It’s rehabilitation time for Stoudemire once again, and at some point the New York Knicks have to become proactive and realize this is becoming a pattern with their beloved star.
The news of the power forward’s ruptured cyst in his knee should have made it rounds by now, and the initial report is that Stoudemire will miss two-three weeks (and it’s been noted he’s seeking a second opinion), but this could easily transform into four-to-five weeks of missed time — or more — for the player. Although, that may be a best case scenario for New York as it ould give Coach Woodson the ability to play ‘Melo at the four and watch the effectiveness of that role blossom.
That may prove to be a cup of fine lemonade from a lemony situation, but Stat’s health is something that needs to be addressed, although I’m unsure what they would do with the fragile power forward.
A deeper issue from this injury — which some to be sweeping under the rug — is this is a setback for the Knicks as this preseason time was to be used to build team chemistry and gel considering Amar’e spent a considerable amount of time improving this off-season.
I can hear a chorus of moans from Knicks fans declaring I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill, but my little tink-tinks, I know — deep down – you have these very thoughts. Maybe that huge contract in the summer of 2010 for Stoudemire’s services is looking a little bleak in terms of production.
Back to his injury as I’m sure there are questions on what a “ruptured cyst” in a knee actually is, all that you — the fan — needs to know is that a ruptured cyst is indicative of an arthritic knee.
Point blank.
The same knee that kept Amar’e out of training camp the first few weeks, and now will result him missing the rest of the training camp and the first few games of the regular season.
I know it’s easy to blame his back troubles last season on the condensed season, but the truth is nearly EVER team had the same issue with injuries, so that excuse doesn’t fly.
The cold, hard truth is that the Knicks best chance at making a run this season was the cohesion of Melo and Amar’e; with that offering an offensive one-two punch with their talented stars.
With that being said, that can still happen, but it needs to start with a concentrated effort from Coach Woodson, ‘Melo, and the rest of the New York Knicks.
If it be Amar’e starting, or coming off of the bench, the Knicks needs 110% from the power forward and unless he’s healthy, Amar’e is a non-mutha-fuggin’-factor.
It’s questionable if Amar’e can stay healthy for an entire season as his health is under fire.
The duration of this season will tell us more about Mr. Stoudemire and if he really is a ‘Glass Power Forward.’
