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2010-07-09 10:51:10
Amar’e Stoudemire continued to feel right at home in New York City on Sunday. In fact, he was right behind home plate, in front-row seats provided by Joba Chamberlain for a few innings of the Yankees’ game against Toronto.
For a player who has not officially been offered a free-agent contract by the Knicks, Stoudemire has been quite the busy power forward. He reportedly had breakfast Sunday with Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni to repair a relationship that had deteriorated at the end of D’Antoni’s time in Phoenix.
He was also reported to be attending the team owner James Dolan’s Fourth of July party before meeting with the entire Knicks brain trust on Monday.
On the way out of the Broadway musical “Rock of Ages” on Saturday night, Stoudemire told reporters that he was actively trying to recruit for the Knicks as well — discussing potential paths to New York with Denver’s Carmelo Anthony and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.
But what if LeBron James and Chris Bosh should wake up one morning this week and decide they, too, want to play for the Knicks? The Knicks will lose Stoudemire’s number in a hurry and he will be off to Chicago to sample the deep-dish pizza, or Miami to meet with Pat Riley’s tailor.
The barnstorming of New York has been a smart tactical strategy for Stoudemire, his visibility helping to create fan excitement and build contract momentum. The Knicks are said to be his first choice, primarily because they seem more eager to give him a maximum contract than other suitors, who have expressed concerns about his past knee and eye surgeries.
Chamberlain said he became acquainted with Stoudemire at a charity event and the two struck up a friendship.
“I think basketball growing up was probably my favorite sport,” he said. “I always played it back home and every down time I had in between baseball and school. I try to go to as much basketball as I can during spring training and here.”
As for Stoudemire signing with the Knicks, he said: “You have to understand what you’re getting into. There’s a lot of advantages that come with it and there’s obviously a lot of other things that come along with playing here. It’s the best place to play.”
Once again, though: If C.C. Sabathia’s buddy James also comes to that unlikely conclusion, and has his choice of power forwards to choose from, Stoudemire’s New York state of mind will be short-lived.
