HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

During the media session for the 2011 NBA All-Stars, New York Knicks power forward Amar’e Stoudemire was predictably questioned quite a bit about the potential of having Carmelo Anthony added as a teammate. Stoudemire’s desire for the team to bring in Melo was clear, but he cautioned reporters by saying he isn’t involved in the process.

"We’re great friends," said Stoudemire. "So anytime, you know, two friends can team up, it’s always fun. But you never know what may happen."

The Denver Nuggets apparently have a deal with the New Jersey Nets if Anthony agrees to an extend-and-trade deal with them, but currently that is viewed as unlikely. If it does happen, or if Anthony isn’t moved at all, Stoudemire thinks the Knicks will be okay.

"We’re playing well right now. We definitely could improve. Again, I’m not the GM so it’s kind of hard for me to really try and sort this thing out, but I think from the standpoint of us as players we have to put it on ourselves to get better. Unless something happens, it’s really on us to make that next step."

While the talk of Anthony never seems to end, Stoudemire says it’s not a distraction.

"It’s not frustrating at all to be honest with you, because it’s really up to us as players to play hard and try to win. So it really doesn’t bother me at all. It may be frustrating for Carmelo with all this talk and his team is trying to get over the hump, but hopefully it will end soon."

And he thinks they have managed just fine in 2010-11.

"So far I think we have exceeded expectations from the start of the season. We feel that we could have played better, we lost a few games that we could have won, and so we’re going into the second half of the season, after the break, and we feel like we have a great chance to make something happen."

When asked if there were benefits to not doing a deal, Stoudemire became quieter.

"Yeah, I mean, that will obviously be a sense of security for the guys that are involved in the rumors, but again, you never know what may happen here in the near future. We’ll see."

It was clear from the tone of voice Stoudemire is excited by the prospect of Anthony joining him in New York, and much less excited by the idea of the Knicks maintaining the status quo.

Then he was asked if he had talked to Anthony about a trade, which players can do without it being considered tampering.

"I haven’t talked to him. We talked a little bit at a NBA Cares event just about the actual All-Star Game, the weekend, but we haven’t talked about being teammates or anything like that.

"I’m not a recruiter; I’m just an average basketball player."

He does have some advice for his friend about dealing with the media crush accompanying these types of rumors on a daily basis. Stoudemire went through the same thing in this very setting last year as a member of the Phoenix Suns.

{AUTHOR_BOX}"Yeah, I went through it, and it’s just a matter of staying professional. He’s doing a good job of maintaining his composure and playing hard for his teammates. And so he’s on the right track."

Stoudemire is without a doubt the face of the New York Knicks. He’s their leader and their best player as well as the highest paid. Management talks to him, but he says they don’t ask for his approval.

"We always discuss opportunities and how we can improve as a team. But again, I can only speak from a player’s standpoint on how we can up the intensity or how we can play better basketball. That’s my role, is to keep guys motivated throughout. And so with all these rumors, I make sure guys just keep their head on it and remain professional, keep working hard in practice. That way we can still win despite all the rumors."

If no deal does get done, it will be a bit of a disappointment, but the Knicks should be just fine.

"You can always turn any situation into a positive. If we don’t make a move I’m pretty sure the guys that are involved in the talks will have motivation to continue to improve and get better, to show the world that they don’t deserve to be traded. And if we did make a move and if Carmelo were to come to New York, there’s a challenge of us regaining that chemistry and our style of play. And then get to the playoffs."

Now 28 years of age, Stoudemire is still young but would like to see the Knicks get to contender status sooner rather than later.

"Absolutely. We definitely want to contend moreso now than later, ’cause right now there is a chance in New York that we can build something great."

But it’s not all serious for Stoudemire. After all, this is All-Star Weekend and he should be allowed to have a little fun.

"I can’t play for 20 more years; I only got about 19 left," Stoudemire joked.

There is little question Stoudemire whole-heartedly endorses the acquisition of Anthony and it sounds like it’s of little consequence to him the cost to the team in players or future flexibility. This won’t be the last time we hear Stoudemire talking about New York possibly acquiring Carmelo Anthony.
 

Check out Jason Fleming’s weekly NBA chat Mondays at 8pm Eastern, and follow him on Twitter!