Amar’e Stoudemire still can’t get on the court after left-knee surgery, but he can get out to the Rockaways and aid the Hurricane Sandy-ravaged peninsula — perhaps the hardest-hit community in New York City.
On Saturday, Stoudemire spent part of the day giving out food, clothing and blankets in several of the Rockaway and Far Rockaway enclaves.
And the Knicks power forward couldn’t believe one young girl’s reaction to his presence.
“New Yorkers persevere,’’ Stoudemire told The Post in an emailed message. “I just said for them to keep their head up and I hope things get better for them. It was funny. One girl actually said that I should keep my head up and feel better soon. I couldn’t believe with all of the loss someone experiences, she was thinking about the Knicks and my knee.’’
Rockaway’s fabled boardwalk no longer exists, crushed into the streets by the ocean surge.
“The whole area was devastated by Sandy and I wanted to help out the best I could,’’ Stoudemire said. “We had a lot of people come out to see us. I think people appreciated that we made our way out there to let them know that they were in our thoughts. We met with people in a couple of communities and checked out some of the hardest-hit areas. I am glad I could bring attention to the people still in need of help in the Rockaways and other parts of New York.’’
Yesterday, Stoudemire, who hasn’t spoken to the media since he played his last preseason game
Oct. 19, at the invite of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, taped a segment for a public service announcement for the Empire State Relief Fund.
* J.R. Smith is no longer complaining about his sixth-man role. Smith has been tearing it up the past three games, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the 4-0 Knicks, who play in Orlando tomorrow.
“I’m loving it right now,’’ Smith said. “I’m playing my game with confidence. Coach [Mike Woodson] is giving me a lot of opportunities, so I love it.’’
Smith looks as if he will be a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, something he once scoffed at.
“It’s still early,’’ Smith said. “Jamal [Crawford] is still the front-runner with the Clippers.’’
Smith said his sore Achilles, which held him to just one preseason game, is better.