Knicks coach Mike Woodson admitted Amar’e Stoudemire was “rusty a little bit’’ in his season debut Thursday in Chicago.
The question is how long will it take for Stoudemire to shake off the rust, given Woodson’s bizarre power-forward platoon system with Kenyon Martin and a current 10-minute cap.
“They got to be patient with me and we got to make it work,’’ Woodson said. “The bottom line is, we need him in a uniform helping us. It will come.”
What’s certain is Stoudemire and Martin will rotate in back-to-back games as they did Wednesday and Thursday against the Bucks and Bulls.
Martin played against Milwaukee and Stoudemire played 10:40 in Chicago, where he scored five points but committed four fouls and three turnovers. His first play of the season was bouncing the ball off his foot on a post move — pure rust.
“I totally understand [the platoon],’’ Stoudemire said. “I hope you guys do too, so you don’t keep asking. With a couple of days off, both of us can play.’’
And what about a day between games?
“Not sure,’’ Stoudemire said. “It’s up to the coaching staff. I’m sure with a day off we’d be able to play and be ready to go.’’
Martin, who has chronic ankle issues, may not be as understanding. He said he didn’t mind the babying in preseason but said he’d “press the issue’’ if it continues in the regular season. Plus, Martin got in for just four minutes in the season opener.
Stoudemire, meanwhile, felt his first game went well as he scored on two nice low-post baskets in the second half, but had to be yanked because of his cap just as he was getting in a groove.
“I felt great, felt really good,” Stoudemire said. “I was very pleased with how I felt [Thursday] as far as my body. Just going to continue to keep building and getting better.
“It’s an adjustment period. It takes time to get used to the in-and-out play. My teammates have been very supportive to keep encouraging me and looking for me when I’m there.’’
Woodson is showing a lot of trust in rookie shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., who had a confident game in Chicago, playing 26:50. He took 13 shots and made four, but was 2 of 6 from the 3-point line. He finished with 10 points. Hardaway was on the floor down the stretch, even on the final possession over Andrea Bargnani. Hardaway was 2-for-2 in the season opener.
“I’m getting really good shots, trying to mix it up, going to the basket,’’ Hardaway said. “I’m trying to make plays. Do what I can do to help the team win. But defense is the key part of my game I’m trying to get better at.’’
Although Carmelo Anthony said on TNT Thursday — and earlier in training camp on MSG Network — he wanted to “retire” a Knick, he wouldn’t repeat the sentiment after the loss to the Bulls, when he missed a potential game-winner.
“C’ mon, man, I just got finished playing a game,’’ Anthony said. “I said what I said. I believe that. That’s my goal. That’s what I want to do.’’