The New York Knicks are officially eliminated from the NBA Playoffs and the backlash has already begun. The team must now decide the fate of several key players as contracts get analyzed and injuries get assessed. The Knicks were hit with the injury bug big time this season and now players must consider offseason rehabbing. As Carmelo Anthony might be down with another shoulder injury, Amar'e Stoudemire is back from knee surgery. Stoudemire came back midway through the playoffs and is pretty upset with the amount of playing time he received.
Stoudemire is calling out Woodson for not playing him enough during his limited time in the postseason. He did not play the entire second half of Game 6 against the Pacers, a decision that Stoudemire believes cost the Knicks the game and ultimately the series.
"We didn't give it a chance. We need to understand exactly what my style of play is and what I bring to the table. It's something I have to sit down with Coach Woody and express to him," Stoudemire said.
Stoudemire played just 5:47 in Game 6 during the first half. He remained on the bench even after Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin fouled out of the game. While Stoudemire understands it is a coach's decision, he said it was not easy to just sit there and watch as the team lost.
Stoudemire's short lived return to playing came after he missed a good portion of the regular season due to two knee surgeries to have debris removed. He missed most of the beginning of the season, returned and then had the second surgery, missing all games after March 7. When he returned for the playoffs, he saw almost no playing time. When on the court, it was clear Stoudemire lacked explosiveness after the two surgeries.
Over the next two seasons, Stoudemire will be owed $44 million in salary. The Knicks have a lot of money invested in the injury-prone athlete. Throughout his career in New York, his stats have only gotten worse. He went from averaging 25 points per game and 8 rebounds in his first season with the team, to just 14 points per game and 5 rebounds in 2012. While it is unclear where the Knicks stand on his future with the team, his recent comments put him in on thin ice.