http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2366370


Stoudemire having knee pain, '50-50' on return
ESPN.com news services

After sounding optimistic about a March return to the court, Phoenix Suns superstar Amare Stoudemire is hedging his bets about a return at all.

Amare Stoudemire
Stoudemire

"It's still 50-50," Stoudemire told The Arizona Republic, sounding more discouraged than at any point of his rehabilitation process from an October microfracture procedure on his left knee.

"If I'm not ready, then I'm not ready. Right now, I'm not ready," he told the paper.

Stoudemire has had fluid buildup behind the kneecap, stunting his comeback for the past two weeks.

There's even been thoughts of not returning at all this season, "because every time I play ball one day, the next day I feel a lot of pain, a lot of discomfort" in the right knee, he told The Republic.

"I figured I'd be ready by now," Stoudemire told the paper. "My right knee is hurting more than my left. I think it's just from overcompensating -- a little fluid buildup that's in there. I'm just trying to get that out and get back. Once I get the rest and the treatment, it goes away. Then I have three strong days and it comes back. I haven't played a five-on-five game yet so I haven't put it to the test."

After being cleared by the Suns medical staff, it's now up to Stoudemire to decide when he feels he is able to play games.

"I'm medically cleared as far as the healing process and as far as everything healing up correctly, but as far as pain level and discomfort level in my mind, I'm not really cleared yet," Stoudemire, who said his right knee feels tight and stiff and hurts when his leg is extended, told the paper.

"If it was up to my left knee right now, I probably would've played last week."

Stoudemire said he still feels he has two weeks to a month to come back and will not make a decision until he has four to six consecutive days of "feeling great."

If I were the Suns and Amare,i would sit out as long as i can, he was having a promising year last year and i would sitout until he is 100% sure/definate that he'll be able to return to how he was....

if he cant comeback with his explosiveness than.....he better develop a consistent jumper ala kurt thomas

Posted by Bonn1997:

The same man (Colangelo) who gave Marbury that huge contract gave Amare a $72 mil contract extension when he was having knee problems.

he and the suns are not worried, they know they can pick up the phone and call the knicks... I can see it now.
phone rings:

suns: hey MR Thomas
IT: Hey!
Suns: yea, uh we were thinking of moving in another direction with our personell, I mean diaw is much better than we thought and we have other needs to fill, we have a damaged, cough, I mean damn good player in amare who is available, you know we need to cut some cost..
IT: (as he pushes annucha off of his lap) Oh really? what are you thinking about?
Suns: um, how about frye, lee, both first round picks you have this year, and jalens expiring deal. sounds fair huh? I mean amare is young and great, and.....
IT: what about the knee?
Suns: oh the knee, oh that is nothing big, amare will be just fine, Ok , well gotta go, we will fax the paper work over right away...
IT: Hold on a minute, you must think I am crazy!! thought I was going to let you get away with that huh?
suns:( biting their nails and sweating)
IT: YOU must let me throw in our 2008 unprotected first round pick.....
Suns: whew. oh thanks IT, I mean you really took it easy on us this time.. By the way, how is steph doing?

Click.....

typical NY knicks transaction...
IT

Posted by bobs3304:

that was good, but it couldnt throw in the 08 pick even if he wanted...

Colangelo's also no longer the Suns' GM but the main point was good.

does stoudemire have H20 knees?

Very possibly worse Stoudamire is having the same problem 10 years younger.

I'm glad to read that Stoudamire is thinking about not returning. Trust me, it is much better that he sits out until next year.

oohah

Posted by bobs3304:

that was good, but it couldnt throw in the 08 pick even if he wanted...

why not? because in 07 it is a swap not a trade so I think IT could, and the pick we owe utah, is protected up until the late 20's..