Tension is rising with the New York Knicks. As the losses mount, players start speaking out. Carmelo Anthony has already raised a challenge to his fellow teammates to start stepping up and playing to his level. Now, Amar'e Stoudemire is speaking out over comments that he is too injured to play.
According to head coach Mike Woodson, the Knicks have lost another big man for "awhile." Tyson Chandler is already out with injury and according to the coach, so is Stoudemire after the center had swelling in his surgically repaired knee. However, Stoudemire disagrees with his coach. While he is not making the road trip to Milwaukee, the big mane is letting everyone know he is ok.
Stoudemire took to Twitter to say," Fans, IM NOT INJURED, just want u to know I'm ONLY stay'n bk bc of 6 games n 9 days w bk2bks! Body & Knees feel great." Ok, so what is Woodson talking about then? The head coach told reporters that both Chandler and Stoudemire's statuses were up in the air.
"Amar'e's going to be out a while," Woodson said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "I don't know, but he won't play tomorrow. Kenyon [Martin] is out as well. Hopefully, Tyson feels good after tonight, will be able to get back in uniform. For us to get out of this hole, it's going to take a total team effort, and hopefully we'll eventually get everybody back."
The Knicks do not need drama. The team is 7-17 after starting the year off in disappointing fashion. They are coming off a late-game blowup against the Washington Wizards to lose by one point. Woodson's job is in question after he mismanaged the game in the fourth quarter. Not making any excuses, Woodson knows the loss falls on him.
"Bad coaching," said Woodson. "We made a lot of bad mistakes coming down the stretch. It happens [sometimes]. And I don't mean that in just a blow-off way."
The Knicks are certainly hoping that Stoudemire is right about not missing too much time. Martin is guaranteed out at least two weeks after straining his abdominal muscle. Pablo Prigioni is out with a fractured two. Raymond Felton has a strained hamstring. Chandler is likely to return soon rather than later. He is participating in 3-on-3 drills and is expected back within the next two weeks. Stoudemire is needed, plain and simple.