New York Knicks president Phil Jackson weighed in on each player on his roster, including forward Amar'e Stoudemire. Jackson described why Stoudemire is a "key" to New York's success this season, and also in what areas the veteran needs to improve.
New York didn't bring in any big-name additions this summer, leaving Carmelo Anthony as the only scorer and superstar on the roster again. Jackson believes one key to New York being more successful than last season is Stoudemire, whom Jackson thinks can help Anthony shoulder the scoring load.
"One of the keys to the season will be the play of Amar'e Stoudemire," Jackson said Wednesday, via ESPN. "Although his tender knees will require his playing time and his practice time to be carefully monitored, we hope he'll be able to play four rotations of eight minutes per game. That's because Stoudemire can still be a potent scorer. He can get to the middle when he's in the low post, and in screen-rolls, he's a threat to either screen-and-pop or drive to the hoop."
Jackson said the other part of Stoudemire being a key to the team's success is improving on defense.
"Playing adequate defense is a real challenge for him and he's also got to improve his rebounding," Jackson said. "The preseason will also discover whether Amar'e is more effective playing the 4 or the 5 positions."
Stoudemire averaged 11.9 points in just over 20 minutes per game last season, showing he can still be effective despite playing on restricted minutes. The key for Stoudemire this season - like always, as of late - will be staying healthy. He said he feels young again heading into the season, and first-year coach Derek Fisher said he didn't anticipate putting any minute restrictions on Stoudemire, leading to the possibility New York fans see a version of the player who the Knicks paid almost $100 million for in 2010.
