Mike Woodson abandoned Jason Kidd and Amar’e Stoudemire last night, and they’re not assured of getting back into the Knicks coach’s rotation.
In the Knicks’ 85-75 season-saving Game 5 win at the Garden, Woodson benched Kidd and Stoudemire for the entire second half. Kidd played a total of just 5:20, Stoudemire only 6:34.
“I’m the coach. Coaching is a feel,” Woodson said. “It’s not always what players want. At the end of the day, it’s about winning.”
Kidd’s benching was the more surprising. He’s been woeful offensively, establishing an NBA record by going scoreless in eight straight playoff games (among players who logged at least 15 minutes each game). The streak is at nine straight games, as Kidd missed his only shot — a contested layup in transition. The 40-year-old legend is 0-for-17 in the nine games.
A day earlier, Woodson had declared, “I would never kick J-Kidd to the curb. … We all still believe in Kidd.”
Twenty-four hours later, though, Woodson sat him, with Raymond Felton logging 24 minutes in the second half.
Kidd was not seen in the postgame locker room. Neither was Stoudemire.
“I’m sure Kidd and Amar’e wanted to play,” Woodson said, “but I don’t think they’re going to complain about anything.”
Stoudemire, who returned from knee surgery in Game 3, didn’t take a shot last night, finishing with two free throws for two points as well as two rebounds, a foul and a turnover. After his turnover, he argued with a ref instead of getting back on defense.
Stoudemire was on a 10-to-12-minute restriction. Chris Copeland, who scored 13 points, played 20 minutes off the bench.