their play-off horoscope.
The Knicks put in a decidedly average performance in the play-offs, last season, after Stoudemire pulled up with a back injury. The news that the near-7ft power forward has another back condition bodes ill for the 25-25 New York.
Stoudemire has a bulging disc (hernia) in his spine. The good news is that he will not require surgery to correct the ailment. The American was reportedly expecting to play on Monday, before an MRI scan forced
him onto the bench.
He was pulled off the boards on Saturday during the Knicks 101-79 win over the Detroit Pistons, after complaining of tightness in his back. He missed training the following morning to attend the hospital.
Knicks coach, Mike Woodson, seemed to intimate that New York will struggle badly without Stoudemire. “He's a big piece of our puzzle. We rely on Amar'e to do a lot of things, scoring and rebounding and playing defence for us."
Stoudemire, who is notable for wearing goggles to protect his eyes, following surgery for a detached retina in 2009, was a first round pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2002 Draft. He joined the Knicks in 2010.
New York are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference – a position that rewards the holder with a play-off spot, if they can hold onto it. The Knicks are in the midst of an injury crisis, however, making their league standing almost untenable.
Jared Jeffries and Jeremy Lin both have knee injuries, leaving Woodson with a playable roster that includes Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, Landry Fields, Iman Shumpert, Josh Harrellson, and Baron Davis.
For those looking for NBA betting tips it would be worth following NBA online to see how the season transpires.
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