Amare Stoudemire Returns To Practice, Will Play Tuesday
New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire returned to practice Monday after taking a leave of absence to be with his family after the death of his 35-year-old brother Hazell Stoudemire.
Hazell died in a car crash a week ago Monday in Lake Wales, Florida. He was driving at a high rate of speed in a Cadillac Escalade and slammed into the back of a tractor trailer at around 1:45 a.m. ET. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Hazell was not wearing a seatbelt and died on impact.
Stoudemire has been away from the team for seven days but said he watched Jeremy Lin tear up opponents over the last four games.
“The only positive for us during that whole week was we were watching the basketball games and we were watching Linsanity,” Stoudemire said, according to ESPN. “My family was getting a kick out of it. That’s the only smiles they really had all week. It was great to see that. It’s been a tough week.”
Stoudemire seemed happy to be back practicing with his team and is no doubt ready to help keep the current five-game win streak alive.
“It’s great to see the team is playing well. That’s a positive for me right now. The team is doing a phenomenal job,” Stoudemire continued. “Just couldn’t wait to get back and join this and continue the success. Other than that, that’s the only positive right now.”
It has been a point of intrigue to see how the team would do once Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup mixed with the stellar play of Lin. The Knicks should play even better once they are at full strength and push their way into contention.
“Lin is finding guys out there. He’s playing totally unselfish. He’s taking what the defense gives him. He’s studying, which is what you want from your point guard, a guy who wants to be that facilitator and get guys involved and get guys open shots. He’s passing the ball right on the numbers where guys can catch and shoot. That brings up high-percentage shooting,” Stoudemire said “This is what we’ve been talking about all year. It’s finally happened.”
Stoudemire is averaging 18.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field this season. The Knicks (13-15) will take on the Toronto Raptors (9-20) Tuesday night.
FEATURED PARTNERS
- What's The Most Liked Photo On Instagram?
- The Tries Really Hard Girl Meme
- Frances Bean Says Courtney Love Should Be Banned From Twitter
- Metta World Peace -- Sued for Stiffing Ex-Employee
- Ex-NBA Star Jayson Williams -- Released from Rikers Island
- 'Blazing Saddles' Star Alex Karras Sues NFL -- I Have Dementia
- Weekend Buzz, Presented By Five Pics from Catrinel Menghia’s New, Wet Hot Lingerie Photoshoot
- Top 10 Signs She’s Lost All Interest in You
- Greatest Obituary Ever Reads, ‘He Enjoyed Booze, Guns, Cars and Younger Women Until the Day He Died’