Stoudemire Injury to Test Knicks
Added on Mar 11, 2013 by Scott in
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Amar’e Stoudemire’s fading career took another hit over the weekend when it was learned the Knicks forward will miss up to six weeks after arthroscopic surgery to clean out debris in his knees. This marks the second such procedure in the last six months. The first “debridement” on his left knee caused him to be sidelined for the first 30 games of the season. His availability for the remainder of the season is in serious jeopardy.
Stoudemire was already playing on a 30-minute per game cap, a number dictated by team doctors to limit wear and tear on his damaged knees. Despite the strict limitations, the 30-year-old began to feel soreness on Saturday. An MRI later revealed the need for surgery.
The loss of Stoudemire will be a huge one for the Knicks title aspirations. They are currently clinging to the number two seed in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of the Pacers, and 8 ½ games behind the red hot Heat. Needless to say, holding their position won’t be easy, especially with leading scorer Carmelo Anthony dealing with his own knee ailment.
Present concerns aside, this latest setback could affect Stoudemire’s future with the Knicks. He is scheduled to earn $45 million over the final two years of his contract, which expires in 2015. The odds of trading him are remote considering his salary and health, so crossing fingers that he can recover is their only alternative.
Stoudemire’s absence leaves a low post void in the Knicks offense. He had settled into a quality sixth man role, averaging 14.2 points and five rebounds in 29 appearances. Rasheed Wallace could’ve picked up the slack, but he too is done for the rest of the season with a broken foot.
Veteran Kenyon Martin will get the nod for now, although head coach Mike Woodson might turn to a smaller attack by sliding J.R. Smith into the starting lineup.
Source: ESPN.com
