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LOS ANGELES — Amar’e Stoudemire said it’s disappointing to be missing tonight’s clash in Phoenix, but he sounded optimistic his season debut will take place when the Knicks return home and face Portland on New Year’s Day at the Garden.
Ring in the new Stoudemire.
“It’s possible,’’ Stoudemire said. “That would be awesome if I’m able to. It’s a possibility. If I keep improving, I should be ready to go.’’
But nothing is ever certain with Stoudemire’s left knee. He experienced soreness after his two D-League practices last week, ruining his potential debut on this West Coast trip. He has all but ruled out playing in Sacramento on Friday. Yesterday was the third time Stoudemire has spoken to the media since Oct. 19, when he reinjured his knee.
“I just want to make sure I’m 100 percent,’’ said Stoudemire, who underwent knee debridement surgery on Nov. 1. “That’s the main goal. I’m not quite there yet but I’m making progress. If you’re not 100 percent, there’s certain areas I want to feel great and I’m not quite there yet.’’
Debuting in Phoenix tonight was something he had hoped to do during his rehab process. Stoudemire is a former Suns superstar and received a huge standing ovation in his last trip there two years ago in his return. The Knicks didn’t play in Phoenix during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.
“That would’ve been great to play in Phoenix,’’ Stoudemire said. “Yeah, in front of my old fans and family. It would’ve been great to play. I’m not quite there yet. I got to stay patient.’’
Asked about his Phoenix reception two seasons ago, Stoudemire said, “It was awesome. I was appeciative how the fans received me. I wish I could play and give them a show.’’
Mike D’Antoni, his former coach in Phoenix and with the Knicks, admitted yesterday the team will undergo “an adjustment’’ to its style when Stoudemire returns to action. D’Antoni, now the Lakers coach, never got Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire to mesh.
The Lakers’ coaching staff was preparing for Stoudemire as recently as a few days ago. When Lakers assistant Dan D’Antoni bumped into Stoudemire in the hallway, he told him, “I was game-planning your [expletive] all week.’’
Stoudemire retorted: “It’s a lot easier now.’’
Mike D’Antoni, said Stoudemire’s game, which is similar to Anthony’s, will take some time to jell.
“It will be a little bit of an adjustment,’’ D’Antoni said. “They’ll play a little bit differently. But you can play half the game one way, half the game another way. Anytime you bring an All-Star caliber player back to your team, you’d think they can figure out a way to make it better and I think they will.’’
Anthony said on ESPN that he and Stoudemire had a long talk and Stoudemire was fine with coming off the bench when he returns to action.