During his time with the New York Knicks, Amar’e Stoudemire was surrounded by a variety of talented shooters, including J.R. Smith, Mike Bibby, Steve Novak, and Jeremy Lin. Stoudemire, known for his dominance in the paint, was the team’s best interior player, and coach Mike D’Antoni designed the offense to give him room to operate. The strategy was simple—surround Stoudemire with shooters so that opposing defenses couldn’t collapse on him. One of those shooters was Carmelo Anthony, arguably the Knicks’ most prolific scorer during Stoudemire’s tenure. It’s no surprise that Amar’e Stoudemire chooses Melo in clutch situations, reflecting his confidence in Anthony’s scoring ability.
Despite the talent around him, Stoudemire’s time with the Knicks was not as successful as many had hoped. He played just over four seasons in New York, reaching the playoffs three times, but never advancing past the second round. By 2015, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, marking the end of an era that had begun with high expectations. However, Amar’e Stoudemire chooses Melo as his top shooter whenever the stakes were high.
Recently, Stoudemire reflected on his time with the Knicks during an appearance on “Garden Party,” a New York Knicks podcast. When asked to name his favorite shooter on the team, he didn’t hesitate to mention Steve Novak and Carmelo Anthony. He said, “Novak was one of my favorite shooters on the Knicks. I’m giving the ball to Melo [Anthony]. Anytime the clock was running low, if it was not me, I’m giving the ball to Melo.” Amar’e Stoudemire choosing Melo in these situations was a recurring theme throughout his Knicks career.
The acknowledgment of Anthony as his go-to shooter wasn’t a surprise to Knicks fans. Anthony’s ability to hit clutch shots was well-known, and he had carried the team through many tough moments. Stoudemire’s respect for his former teammate was evident in his comments, but when asked if he’d give the ball to Jeremy Lin in a critical moment, his response was straightforward: “Nah, I can’t give it to Jeremy Lin. I’m going with Melo for sure.” Once again, Amar’e Stoudemire chose Melo as his most trusted teammate.
Jeremy Lin, though, had a brief but memorable stint with the Knicks, especially during a two-week stretch in February 2012, which became known as “Linsanity.” During this period, Lin, an unheralded and previously unknown guard, electrified fans with his performances. Coach Mike D’Antoni, recognizing Lin’s hot hand, began running plays designed specifically for him, even over more established players like Anthony and Stoudemire.
Despite the magic of “Linsanity,” Stoudemire remained clear that in a clutch situation, his first choice was always Carmelo Anthony. Lin’s meteoric rise was short-lived, and though he had some incredible moments, Stoudemire didn’t see him as the player to turn to when the game was on the line. Lin’s 2011-2012 season with the Knicks was a whirlwind, but his time in the spotlight eventually faded.
One particular game, however, sticks out in Stoudemire’s memory, and it’s one that even the most casual basketball fans remember. On February 14, 2012, the Knicks faced off against the Toronto Raptors, with Stoudemire sitting on the sidelines nursing a knee injury that had plagued him throughout the season. At this point, “Linsanity” was in full swing, and the expectations for Lin were sky-high.
With two minutes left in the game, the Knicks trailed by five points. The fans, both in the arena and watching from home, were eager to see if Lin could deliver yet another magical moment. He didn’t disappoint. Lin hit a floater to cut the lead, then nailed a free throw to tie the game. In the final seconds, Lin took control of the ball once more, dribbling down the clock before launching a deep three-pointer that found nothing but net. It was the game-winner, and the Knicks bench erupted in celebration.
OTD: 10 years ago, Jeremy Lin broke hearts in Toronto after he knocked down the game winner vs. the Raptors! 🔥(🎥: @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/DvZtWkE8OI— theScore (@theScore) February 14, 2022
Stoudemire, watching from the bench, was part of that celebration, recognizing the magnitude of Lin’s shot. Carmelo Anthony was injured and not on the court, so Lin stepped up in his absence. The play could have easily gone to another veteran, but it was Lin’s night, and he capitalized on the moment.
While Jeremy Lin’s time with the Knicks was brief, and his career didn’t maintain the same level of stardom that “Linsanity” promised, his impact during that short stretch was undeniable. But for Amar’e Stoudemire, when it came to choosing a player to trust in clutch moments, his decision was clear—Amar’e Stoudemire chooses Melo over Lin.
Amar’e Stoudemire’s stance on choosing Carmelo Anthony over Jeremy Lin speaks to the trust veteran players build over the course of a career. While “Linsanity” was a special time for Knicks fans, Stoudemire’s loyalty to Anthony, a proven scorer, reveals how much weight experience carries in the world of professional sports. It’s a fascinating look at how fleeting moments of brilliance can be outshined by consistent greatness.
Stoudemire’s reluctance to trust Jeremy Lin in the clutch is understandable, given Lin’s brief stint of excellence compared to Carmelo Anthony’s sustained track record. But there’s a beauty in Lin’s story—an underdog who, even for just a few weeks, took over the basketball world. Moments like Lin’s game-winner in Toronto show that sometimes the best stories in sports come from the least expected sources.
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