IFWT-Amare

For some this is good news, for others not so much.  It depends on how you feel about Amare Stoudemire.  Either way he’ll be back really soon.  Read more after the jump.

Shay Marie

Stoudemire has been sidelined since March 7 with a right knee injury.  On March 11 he underwent a procedure to clean out debris in his knee but now he may finally be ready to return.

According to ESPN New York:

New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson has targeted Game 3 of the Knicks-Pacers series as the date for Amar’e Stoudemire’s return.

He has been ruled out of the first two games of the Knicks-Pacers series but may play in Game 3 next Saturday.

Woodson said Stoudemire will scrimmage with his teammates on Thursday. If his knee responds well, he will scrimmage again on Friday.

“If he feels fine after Friday, then I think we will play him Saturday,” Woodson said.

Many people have been skeptical as to whether or not Amare will fit into the Knicks lineup.  Knicks finished the regular season 17-6 before Amare returned and eliminated the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs without him.  While he was on the team he seemed to have improved on his post presence on offense but seemed lost on defense.

Woodson said the 6-foot-11 Stoudemire could help the Knicks on the interior against a Pacers team that holds a size advantage over New York.  “If he’s right he can help us a lot. There’s no doubt,” Woodson said.  He also said he’ll be able to have multiple big men on the floor, something they’ll definitely need against the Pacers.

Woodson says Stoudemire won’t take up Kenyon’s minutes but will use the minutes of injured Steve Novak.