As we've observed before, it doesn't seem to matter who even plays for the Knicks at this point. Since Woodson has become coach it hasn't mattered who suits up, whoever it is will play big and get it done.
Yesterday was Stoudemire's second day back-the first on Friday a bad Knicks loss to the lowly Cavaliers had resurrected the old questions if Stoudemire and Anthony work together. In that game Anthony fell back form his torrid pace of 33 points per game in April to a bad shooting night with just 12 points.
However, yesterday the Knicks showed that yet they can win with Stoudemire and Anthony as Carmello broke out again for 39 points off torrid 14 of 32 point shooting and 10 rebounds. In this game all five Knicks were in double figures. Stoudemire had 22 points off of 9 of 13 points and 12 rebounds in the Knicks 113-112 thriller of a victory over the Hawks in Atlanta.
Landry Fields had 18, Baron Davis had one of his best games since Lin went down with 13 points and 10 assists. Shumpert again played well with 11 points.
Chandler didn't play and as usual no matter who plays or who doesn't the Knicks didn't miss a beat. While it's a bummer that we-likely-lost Lin for the year, this is the team we expected now-Lin was a windfall. While they won't be the favorite obviously to beat either the Bulls or Heat I don't think either team is excited to play them-they certainly wont take them lightly.
At this point it's pretty safe to presume interim coach Woodson will be back next year as his team improved to 16-6 under him. Still can't help but wonder what might have happened if Lin and Stoudemire had stayed healthy. Stoudemire is back of course but is he at 100%? If not how long will it take him to get there?
But with the Woodson Knicks you gotta believe.
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