TORONTO — Kenyon Martin has become Amar’e Stoudemire without the $100 million contract.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson revealed his regular-season plan for his two backup power forwards, who are being treated as if they are as fragile as glass. Neither has played yet in the preseason, and Woodson revealed Monday night he doesn’t anticipate either playing both ends of back-to-back games in the regular season.
That’s no shocker regarding Stoudemire, as The Post reported after the Andrea Bargnani trade in late June keeping Stoudemire out of both ends of back-to-backs was under heavy consideration.
The Martin situation, however, continues a surprising narrative, as he’s suddenly being treated as a major injury risk because of chronic ankle pain. It’s no wonder the Knicks waited until late July before re-signing him to the veteran’s minimum. This new vision could have Stoudemire playing one game of a back-to-back and Martin the other.
“He and Amar’e both have to be managed to a point where they can’t play back-to-back games,’’ Woodson said before the Knicks faced the Raptors at AirCanada Centre. “Three, four games in five, six nights, we have to look at that closely as we go through the season. If it falls that way, they’ll have to miss a game or two. I got to have them for the long haul.’’
The government shutdown is over, but the Martin preseason shutdown is still on. Martin is getting antsy, and may not have a single preseason game under his belt going into the regular season.
Woodson wouldn’t guarantee Martin will play the preseason finale Friday at the Garden against the Bobcats. That puts into question whether Martin will be allowed to go in the season opener Oct. 30 against the Bucks. That won’t sit well with Martin, who claims his ankles are “fine.’’
“I think right now Kenyon has to continue to be patient and rehab,’’ Woodson said. “I’m not in a hurry in rushing him back right now. I know he wants to play. I’ll see Thursday to see where he is, but he won’t play Wednesday [in Green Bay, Wis.]’’
Asked what is holding Martin back, Woodson said, “Coach is holding him back. I’m going to continue to watch it closely. Until I think he’s ready. I’m not going to just throw him out there. These games don’t count. We need him for the long haul.’’
Bargnani hasn’t missed a single preseason game and Martin has yet to play one. Martin prefers to play and is trying to rationalize the extra-cautious strategy the Knicks medical staff is taking. Martin’s late-season ankle sprain healed slowly over the summer, putting the club in panic mode.
Martin vowed even if he doesn’t play in the preseason, he will be out there for the season opener.
“I’ll definitely [play] on the 30th,’’ Martin said. “I’m going to push that much harder to play. I’m not questionable. I’m fine.’’
Asked if he would play the last preseason game, Martin said, “I wanted to play the first. You got to ask Woody. He’s the coach. If it was up to me, I’ll play.
“I’m ready now,’’ Martin added on whether he’d be fit for the opener. “And it’s nine days away. I’m fine, man. If he decides to play me in one of those last preseason games, he’ll let me know. If not, the real show starts and I’m ready.’’
“I understand — I’m not a young guy. I’m not going to press the issue about playing preseason. Don’t make no sense to. I’m going to press the issue when it’s playing the regular season, because I want to play. I understand the issue. We have guys fighting for jobs and in order for them to do that, I have to take a backseat.’’
The Knicks don’t believe Martin can withstand the rigors of an 82-game schedule. Woodson appears ready to adopt the same strategy Spurs coach Gregg Popovich uses with giving time off to Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
“That’s how Pop handles his team,’’ Martin said. “You have to ask Woody. Whatever plan is in place — we have one — we’re not sharing it with people. There’s a plan in place. I’m going to stick to it and get ready for when it really counts in April, May and definitely trying to play in June. I’m not trying to burn myself and press the issue playing seven games in 10 nights.’’
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s practice in Toronto could be a big day for Stoudemire. He may be cleared to scrimmage for the first time and perhaps be cleared to play the preseason finale.