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          New York Knicks

          Amar'e feels like 'everything is back'

          • Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff WriterNov 23, 2014, 04:36 PM ET
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              Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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          This season, Amar’e Stoudemire said he planned on reminding people how good he can be when healthy.

          In his past three games, Stoudemire has shown flashes of vintage Amar’e, averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and shooting 17-of-21.

          During Saturday’s much-needed 91-83 win over the lowly Sixers, Stoudemire made 5 of 6 shots and had 16 points and 11 rebounds in just 20 minutes.

          Perhaps he found the Fountain of Youth in those red wine baths he’s been taking.

          “I feel great,” Stoudemire said after the win over the Sixers. “To feel this explosive and energetic and quick, everything is back. I feel blessed to be able to say that once again.”

          It’s been a long road back for Stoudemire, who has done all he can to return from surgeries on both knees. This season, Stoudemire is averaging 12 points, 7.4 rebounds and 54.8 percent shooting in 22.8 minutes per game.

          With the Knicks monitoring his health and minutes, Stoudemire has sat out just one of the Knicks’ first 14 games.

          Last season, Stoudemire played in 65 games, averaging 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. But Stoudemire came on strong at the end, averaging 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in March.

          He looks like he is picking up where he left off last season.

          Knicks coach Derek Fisher says his big man has been able to adapt to the triangle pretty well so far.

          “I think Amar'e has been effective all season long, in a sense, but I think he understands where his opportunities come from within the system,” Fisher said. “He is taking advantage of those, being aggressive and rebounding the ball.”

          Carmelo Anthony is certainly appreciative of Stoudemire’s efforts to regain his old form.

          “I think he’s getting more comfortable with himself, his body, knowing what he can do out there on the basketball court and taking advantage of the mismatches and the situations,” Anthony said. “He’s our go-to post player. We need a bucket at times, we’re definitely going to him.”

          There’s a lot of season left to play, but Stoudemire’s contract year is off to a good start.

          “It took me a little longer [than expected],” Stoudemire told reporters when asked how long he thought it would take to get back to feeling healthy and playing his game again.

          “Those two years previously were extremely tough to go through. But I knew hard work and dedication to the game of basketball -- staying focused, it’ll all pan out.

          "So far, feeling great. Going to do everything I can to keep that feeling.”