With the New York Knicks having dropped a few big games in the last week to the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, the Knicks could probably use a boost.
The Knicks might be getting one from the returning Amar'e Stoudemire, and it could come as soon as New Year's Day.
A recent report says that Stoudemire, who has not played during the regular season after undergoing surgery, is targeting New Year's Day as a possible return date.
Stoudemire, who has had a history of knee issues, underwent surgery during the preseason in late October to remove a ruptured cyst in his left knee.
According to a story from Complex.com, Stoudemire said that he thinks Jan.1 is a "possibility" for him to return to the court. However, the six-time NBA All-Star said that he didn't necessarily think he would be ready to start for the team as he has in his past two seasons in New York.
"Obviously, coming back from an injury, you have to slowly build your way up to get back to where you once were," he said this week, "so there's no pressure right now of starting. I think it's more so about continuing to win-keep that momentum going and keep guys positive and feeling energetic about the game."
Without Stoudemire, the Knicks have actually amassed a 20-8 record, second best in the Eastern Conference and tops in the Atlantic Division. Some say that part of the reason for the Knicks' success in Stoudemire's absence has been that Carmelo Anthony, the team's superstar and leading scorer, has shifted into Stoudemire's normal role of power forward, a role which has allowed him greater room for scoring and taught him to play more physically.
While there have been those who have feared that the superstar power forward's return could potentially disrupt the winning chemistry that the Knicks have developed in his absence with his return to the starting lineup, Stoudemire has recently indicated that he is willing to accept a role coming off the bench for the Knicks upon his return.
If he does, then on paper, the Knicks will have one of the deepest reserves crop in the league, with Stoudemire leading a bench containing sparkplug J.R. Smith, sharpshooter Steve Novak, the up-and-coming Chris Copeland and Pablo Prigioni.
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