GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Amar'e Stoudemire says there aren't any medical limitations on how much he can play right now.
The veteran forward said his playing time is decided by Mike Woodson. And the proud Stoudemire clearly would like to play more, starting Wednesday night at home against Portland.
“From a doctor’s standpoint, there hasn’t been limitations since the first week of the season,” Stoudemire said when asked if he wanted to throw out any minutes limitations in an effort to help the New York Knicks make the playoffs. “So we can’t keep saying limitations -- that’s a coach’s decision at the end of the day.
“I feel great,” he continued. “I am ready to play. But it’s up to him if he wants to play me or not.”
After missing seven games with an ankle injury, Stoudemire played four minutes and scored two points in a loss to Miami last Saturday. During Monday’s 101-98 loss in Milwaukee, Stoudemire played 17 minutes and had seven points and four rebounds.
Earlier in the season, the Knicks wanted to limit minutes for Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin in an effort to keep them fresh for the playoffs.
Stoudemire averages 18.9 minutes, 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 53.9% shooting on the season.
Stoudemire was asked if he is getting back to where he was before injuring his ankle.
“I feel great man,” Stoudemire said following Knicks practice after Woodson had already spoken with reporters. “It don’t take much for me. I have been playing at a high level my entire career. I know what it takes to get back to the top of the game.
“I know what it takes to feel confident,” he continued. “That’s never going to go away. It’s just a matter of how the coach is going to play me. I am available if they need me. If not, then we go with that.”
Woodson typically likes to play Carmelo Anthony at power forward and Tyson Chandler at center. Still, Stoudemire says he has let Woodson know that he wants to play more.
“Yeah, I talk to Coach all the time about it,” Stoudemire said. “He knows I am ready. He knows how hard I train. He watches me in the weight room and also on the basketball court. The whole training staff knows, the Knicks organization knows how hard I train.
“I am ready to play. But it depends on how the game is played.”