Amar’e Stoudemire had maintained that he was not likely to make his season debut during the Knicks current three-game road trip, but now it appears the new year will also see Stoudemire make his first appearance for the Knicks when they take on Portland on January 1st at The Garden. Stoudemire suffered some lingering soreness in his knees after his two D-League practices last week, and still insists he wants to be 100 percent healthy when he gets back on court, but it’s looking good that he’ll be back in the new year.
“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. I just want to make sure I’m 100 percent, 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.”
“[It] 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.”
