The New York Knicks are predicting a championship this upcoming season, but in order to reach that goal they need everyone on the roster healthy. The team loaded up on free agents in the offseason in order to compete with the likes of the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers. However, a single injury could derail that plan. As the preseason continues on, one of those key pieces is not healthy and teammates are frustrated.
As of now, Amar'e Stoudemire is not healthy. He is predicted to miss at least three preseason games as he works his way back from an offseason knee surgery. This comes after he played just 29 regular-season games last year after having two separate knee procedures. That all tops off the microfracture surgery he had in 2005. Carmelo Anthony is frustrated his teammate is not on the court, noting that Stoudemire was a big reason he came to play for the Knicks.
As a friend, it's hard for me to sit back and act like it doesn't bother me because I know how hard of a worker he is [and] I know the time that he puts in the gym to train and rehab," Anthony said, via ESPN.com. "To see him go forward and then take some steps back every time, it's just sad."
When Anthony signed with the Knicks, there were plenty of questions regarding whether he and Stoudemire could coexist on the court together. However, that question has yet to really be answered considering Anthony has yet to play with Stoudemire at 100 percent health. He questions whether he ever will.
"Yeah, I think about it. I think about [it] sometimes," Anthony said. "He was one of the reasons why I wanted to come to New York. So for me not to have that chance, the opportunity to get a full season in and get a rhythm going with him -- it's not something I thought would happen."
Stoudemire insists that he is getting better every day and could possibly be healthy by the start of the season. The Knicks open the season Oct. 30 and the forward is hopeful he will be there.
"I'm still getting stronger, still getting the legs strong enough to withstand the pressure of playing, but progress has been great so far," Stoudemire said.
Anthony insists the team needs Stoudemire healthy despite the statistics showing the two do not play well together. The Knicks are 2-11 in the postseason when both players are on the court. When Stoudemire is healthy, he is a force on the court. Last season he averaged 14 points and five rebounds. Anthony understands how important he will be to a postseason run.
"It's another weapon that we need," Anthony said. "We could have used him last season at certain points. For him to get a fresh start off of this season, we need him. He's a big key to this team's success."
