Amar'e Stoudemire On WFAN: Knicks 'Need To Get Better Defensively'
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire knows Mike D'Antoni's strength. It lies in the run-and-gun offense.
But for New York to follow Dallas and be the next franchise to win an NBA title, Stoudemire says the Knicks need something more from their coach.
"I firmly believe in his offensive play. I think offensively he's a genius, but I do think we need to get better defensively," Stoudemire told WFAN's Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton Wednesday morning. "We got a tendency to lean on the offensive end ... but I do think defense is what you need to win a championship."
After watching the Mavericks take down LeBron James and the Heat, Carton started thinking, why not the Knicks?
"I agree," said Stoudemire. "But I do think they have the experience, they've been playing together for awhile. So they kind of know what it takes."
LISTEN: Amar'e Stoudemire with Boomer & Carton | Download
Before James made his infamous "Decision" last July, Stoudemire chose to bring his star power to the Big Apple.
"It's been incredible. From the start, it's been phenomenal," he said. "Since I met (James) Dolan and the front office people, they were totally ecstatic about the future of the Knicks -- and I was also. And I want to really be surrounded by a winning franchise. I definitely think Mr. Dolan is trying to make that happen."
Even with Knicks president Donnie Walsh stepping down at the end of June?
"I don't know the details of it," said Stoudemire. "From the time that I spent with Mr. Walsh, it's been great. He's been a great help my first year here in New York. I'm pretty sure I'm going to continue to call him and talk to him throughout the rest of my career."
Stoudemire added even though he and Carmelo Anthony "have an idea" about what the Knicks need, they don't want to step too much on the toes of the Knicks' front office.
"Those guys are great at what they do, so I don't want to get too involved in the decision making," he explained. "But Carmelo and I do have an idea on what (the Knicks need) to ultimately win a championship."
Can the Knicks get better defensively under D'Antoni? Sound off in the comments below...
