Knicks: Stoudemire Era Has Ended

Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Knicks are preparing for the unofficial second half of the season to begin and they will be doing it without Amar’e Stoudemire.

The team made it official on Monday, February 16^th as president Phil Jackson said, “Amar’e’s period as a Knickerbocker has come to pass, at his request. His time here should be marked by recognizing his effort – it was 100-percent.”

“As we move forward in structuring this team, we will look for players that exhibit his desire to win,” Jackson continued.

Stoudemire finished his Knick career averaging 17.3 points per game and 6.7 rebounds over five seasons.

From 2011-2013 Stoudemire brought the Knicks to three consecutive playoff appearances although getting out of the first round only once.

“I feel truly blessed to have been able to play for the incredible New York fans, Mr. Dolan, my coaches, teammates and the entire Knicks organization for the past five years,” Stoudemire said. “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to contribute positively on the court and in the community. Although I leave the Knicks with a heavy heart, I wish the organization the best of luck. Once a Knick always a Knick.”

Some fans or members of the media may feel that Stoudemire’s time with the Knicks was a bust and a waste of time. The Knicks lost out on other star free agents in the summer of 2010 so they were in a tough spot to sign a big time player that brings some star power to NY. Was Stoudemire worth 100 million dollars over five years when everyone knew his knees were already giving him trouble? Probably not, but it was worth the risk and the spark that he brought back to Madison Square Garden. There were playoff appearances that the city of New York hasn’t been use to, and made the team and franchise more attractive to Carmelo Anthony.

It is time for Stoudemire to move on and give him the opportunity to chase down an NBA title for at least one more time. Father time is ticking so he might not be sure when his next playoff run may come next. It looks like he will be teaming up with Dirk Nowitzki and former Knicks Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton on the Dallas Mavericks and will help their second unit make a push in the very tough western conference playoffs.

The Knicks next move will to try to dump another player or two before the February 19^th trade deadline, or trade for a star without giving up all our picks that are lined up in the upcoming years. Till then, Carmelo Anthony and crew will ride out the rest of the season and hope the balls bounce the right way in the lottery and draft Jahlil Okafor first overall.