It looks like Amare Stoudemire might have returned to game action too quickly.
After an impressive season debut Thursday that was nearly six months after knee surgery, Stoudemire felt the condition of his knees regress in the next two games Saturday and Monday.
In Monday’s loss to New Jersey, Stoudemire did not have any lift in his step or jump and said he could not get his knees to feel loose Sunday or Monday. He went scoreless on six shots in 14 minutes, foul- ing more than he rebounded Monday.
“We’re not going to put him on the court when he is not fluid or doesn’t feel good or he’s laboring,” D’Antoni said of the decision to hold him out tonight against Milwaukee. “That doesn’t do anybody any good. He’s too important to the franchise to do that.”
The Suns are doing the right thing. Stoudemire’s long-term health is much more important than what he can bring to the Suns’ championship run this season. Phoenix has him locked in for several years so there’s no sense in pushing him. Besides, he’s obviously not that effective when his knees hurt.
