REBOUND FAST: With the Knicks thin in the frontcourt and in need of a jolt, Amar’e Stoudemire should make his return tomorrow, Kevin Kernan writes, even for a few minutes, to avoid more scenes like this one — Marcus Camby alone in the middle during Friday’s loss in Sacramento. (Getty Images)
This is about strength of symbolism as much as it is about strength of Amar’e Stoudemire’s left knee.
This is about the hope of a New Year coming together on the Garden floor tomorrow night. That is why Stoudemire needs to play against the Trail Blazers.
The Knicks need his presence now. This is the perfect way for the Knicks to start the New Year.
Stoudemire practiced with the team yesterday, his first team practice since October.
“I was able to move how I want to, with a little bit of restriction, but not much,’’ he said.
That’s good enough.
It does not matter how effective the 6-foot-11 forward is or how many minutes he plays, all that matters is he gets on the court tomorrow night and begins to establish himself once more, the final stage in this longest of journeys back. He’s big, and the undermanned Knicks need a big body.
“If the next two days go well and I continue to improve, then that will be a great day to start playing,” Stoudemire said.
No one expects miracles, but provided Stoudemire comes through today’s practice OK, it is time to test the knee in a game and see what adjustments he has to make.
Stoudemire ran up and down the floor with his team. When he went strong baseline and scored, you could see smiles on the faces of all his teammates.
Carmelo Anthony, who did not practice because of a swollen knee, and the Knicks have worked overtime to earn their 21-9 record. They could use an emotional and physical lift. Seeing Stoudemire in uniform at the start of the New Year will do that.
Mike Woodson wants Stoudemire back, though he will continue to be Coach Cautious.
“The guy is a player,’’ Woodson said. “He’s had a great career up until this point, so he is going to bring a plus to our ballclub, regardless if he is 100 or 70 or 80 percent. I don’t know where he is going to be when he gets back.’’
Considering how undermanned the Knicks are, having Stoudemire back will be a plus even though he does not have the strength in the knee he once had. An exhibition season goes about eight games, so Stoudemire likely will need that much game action just to feel his way to his new future. The Knicks will need time to figure it all out.
Stoudemire could use the emotional lift of the New Year’s crowd welcoming him back as well.
“It will be great if I could go on [Jan. 1], but I can’t determine how I will feel [today] or the following day,’’ he said.
He is trying to get to the “80 percent’’ level.
“I’m not quite there yet,’’ he said. “We’re pretty banged up as a team, so we need bodies on the court right now. So if I’ve got to sacrifice my health a little bit for the betterment of the team, then I will.’’
There you have it. Stoudemire knows the team needs him. He knows no one expects miracles from him, but it is time to begin the comeback. Mentally, he’s been ready to play for a long time.
“I’ve been ready to play since the start of the season,’’ he said. “I’ve trained extremely hard, the hardest I’ve ever trained this past summer. I came into camp in the best shape I’ve ever been in, so I’ve been ready to play. But I have to make sure I stay patient for the longevity of the team because the most important months are March and April and going into the postseason.’’
True, but the Knicks need help now. They need another big man to take the stress off the frontcourt.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot?
Amar’e needs to come back tomorrow night. This is the perfect way to start a New Year for the Knicks, a New Year of Great Expectations.
The time is now, Amar’e. You’re needed.