Amar'e Stoudemire wants more playing time to help him find a rhythm off the bench for the New York Knicks. The forward whose balky knees have put him on a minutes restriction told ESPN New York's Ian Begley that he'd like to have longer periods of playing time to optimize his utility.
Amar’e Stoudemire frustrated over restricted playing time
The New York Knicks big man wants to get into a rhythm but says he can’t under his minutes restrictions.
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
“It’s making me look like my game is gone or that I don’t have game anymore because when you play five minutes, it’s just tough to really get in a rhythm,” Stoudemire said.
“By the time you get up and down and get adjusted to the speed of the game, it’s already three minutes, and then in two minutes you’re out of there. And if you miss a shot, it feels [like] the world is collapsing on you because you’re expected to do so much and somewhat win the game in five minutes and it’s tough.”
All along, the Knicks and their medical staff have put a minutes restriction on Stoudemire, but it was expected to be more in the 20-minutes per game range. In his six games played of New York’s nine outings -- Stoudemire is also being completely held out of some games -- the forward is averaging just 10.5 minutes per game.
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Stoudemire, who is averaging 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, is shooting just 38 percent from the field and isn’t cracking coach Mike Woodson’s rotation long enough to find comfort. Woodson did offer that he could give the veteran forward more run during practice to help him find a rhythm.
Stoudemire underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees last season and in July underwent another procedure.
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