New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson’s playing rotations have been criticized during the teams recent struggles. After Carmelo Anthony left Monday nights game with an injured knee, Amar’e Stoudemire brought the Knicks back from 22 points down, logging 22 points in 31 minutes to lead the Knicks to a much needed win. Many believe the former All-Star deserves more playing time, more from NBA.com’s Morning Shootaround: “According to a source close to the Knicks, Stoudemire is “ready” and “healthy” to play more minutes to help the team. “He’s in tip-top shape,” the source told ESPNNewYork.com. “He wants to play; whatever it takes for [the Knicks] to win.””- More from NBA.com: “If Stoudemire’s body is ready, it would be important to increase his minutes now, to better prepare him for increased playing time in the postseason. That’s usually what happens during this critical period of the season, as coaches shorten their rotation to focus on their best players.”
- The Houston Rockets made a move Tuesday that might improve their chances of holding off the Los Angeles Lakers for the 8th seed in the West. Who would have guessed it would be bringing back former castoff Aaron Brooks? More from Yahoo! Sports: “Brooks will sign the contract on Tuesday. The deal includes a team option for next season. Brooks agreed to a buyout with the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Because Brooks was released before the midnight March 1 deadline, he is eligible to be on the postseason roster for another team. Brooks signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract with the Kings over the summer. He’s averaged eight points in just 21 minutes a game this season.
The NBA’s transition overseas appears to be happening a little quicker than expected. According to NBA.com eight NBA teams have already been booked to play preseason games internationally: “The NBA is going overseas for eight preseason games in October, with stops in Europe, Asia and South America:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder will open the proceedings by playing Turkish team Fenerbahce on Oct. 5 in Istanbul.
- The Philadelphia 76ers follow a day later against Uxue Bilbao in Spain. The Thunder and 76ers then meet on Oct. 8 in Manchester, England.
- The Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers will meet on Oct. 10 in Manila, Philippines, and again on Oct. 13 in Taipei, Taiwan.
- Also in Asia, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers will play each other on Oct. 15 in Beijing and then again three days later in Shanghai.
- In South America, the Chicago Bulls will play the Washington Wizards on Oct. 12 in Rio de Janeiro.