Why Amar'e Stoudemire's Injury Will Have a Long-Term Impact on Knicks

Just because the puzzle piece is shiny doesn’t mean it’s going to fit.

Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire are shiny puzzle pieces. But the New York Knicks’ success without Amar’e in the lineup proves he isn’t the right piece to play alongside Anthony in the franchise’s championship puzzle.

Melo took his game to another level after Stoudemire’s injury. The scoring machine averaged 30 points per game in the past 11 contests. Following a return from his January injury, Anthony only averaged 18 points per game in the 16 showdowns that he started with Stoudemire.

Is Melo simply on a hot streak? I think not.

Anthony slid from small to power forward after Amar’e began suiting up in street clothes. Melo started power forward for the 2008 USA Redeem Team, but apparently he’s not just capable of dominating Europeans at the position.

His athleticism creates a matchup nightmare for opposing 4s. And at 6’8”, 230 pounds, Anthony boasts the size to bang on the boards.

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News also addressed the stars’ chemistry struggles, writing: “Stoudemire and Anthony have yet to prove they can successfully coexist on the court. The Knicks are [31-29] overall but just 16-20 when Anthony and Stoudemire both play.”

Despite Melo's flawless fit at the four, Mike Woodson isn’t interested in rearranging the rotational puzzle. Newsday’s Al Iannazzone reported that, when questioned about Stoudemire’s progression, Woodson responded:

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He’s still working out, taking it a day at a time. He looks pretty good. I think it’s going to be up to Amare and the doctors when he decides to make his move. When they tell me he’s ready to go, he’ll be right back in the starting lineup, playing the way I expect him to play.

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New York is a solid 7-4 since the big man’s back injury, but that doesn’t sound like a coach ready to mix things up with the hopes of continuing the team’s winning ways. That is a bit surprising because just a few months ago, they considered blowing up their roster.

Before the trade deadline, Stephen A. Smith reported on ESPN radio that the Knicks were in discussion with the Orlando Magic about a deal for Dwight Howard:

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The Orlando Magic, I will preface my statement by telling you that they have categorically denied this, but my sources tell me that they have inquired about Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire going to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

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New York knew a change was needed. They explored a way out of their chemistry nightmare, but it didn’t work out.

Even Melo knows he and Amar’e don’t mesh well. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Anthony admitted back in January that he and Stoudemire needed to have a “heart-to-heart” to settle their lack of offensive cohesion.

New York will never win an NBA championship with the duo in the same rotation. That point continues to be apparent as the Knicks somehow, someway improve after one of their stars is unable to play.

Even though it’d be in their best interest to do so, they can’t bring Anthony or Amar’e off the bench. And because the pair has proven themselves as a failure, one of them must go.

Long-term, Stoudemire’s injury is a bucket of ice water waking up the Knicks front office to make a necessary roster shakeup.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels