Amar’e Stoudemire sidelined for few weeks with ruptured cyst in left knee – NBA News
The New York Knicks have not had the best of pre-season. After struggling with a list of injuries to key players throughout the last season, which most likely cost them a better positioning in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have received the news that their star forward, Amar’e Stoudemire, has a ruptured cyst in his knee and will not be able to play the first few games of the regular season.
Al Iannazzone for Newsday broke the news, saying that an MRI on Stoudemire’s knee has revealed the ruptured cyst, which will likely have him missing two to three weeks of action.
“Amare Stoudemire went home this morning to get his left knee re-evaluated. MRI revealed a ruptured popliteal cyst. Amare will be out approximately 2-3 weeks,” tweeted Iannazzone.
Although the injury itself is nothing serious and will not require surgery, such injuries are often a sign of arthritis or other damage. If that is the case, that would be a more chronic problem for both Stoudemire and the Knicks. On the other hand, Coach Mike Woodson will now have to decide what team to start for the first few games in the coming season.
With Stoudemire out of the first few games next season, Woodson will need a replacement at the four spot. Marcus Camby is the likely replacement but he is at a stage in his career where he cannot handle extended minutes of play. Kurt Thomas is the other option for Woodson but he might make the Knicks front court too weak and open to attack.
Woodson could also move Carmelo Anthony to the four spot, and go with a smaller line-up till Stoudemire returns. Anthony played the four spot for the U.S Men’s team at this year’s London Olympics, and shined brightly in that positioned as he was one of the most successful players of the Olympics. However, he likes to play the small forward in the Knicks line-up and convincing him to move to the four would be a difficult job.
The Knicks have not even started their season and injury troubles are already starting to cause problems for them, just like last season. Hopefully, Stoudemire is able to return quickly without any complications and the Knicks are able to stay healthy as a team, so that their offseason acquisitions do not go to waste and they are able to make a deep run in the playoffs.
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