Amar'e Stoudemire's Return Can't Be Blamed for New Yor Knicks' Loss to Cavaliers

The first thing people will point to in the New York Knicks ugly loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers is how it coincides with the return of Amar'e Stoudemire, and while that's accurate, one has nothing to do with the other.

STAT returned for the first time since late March and did have some moments where he looked explosive going to the hoop. It's clear Amar'e is feeling better.

However, Stoudemire didn't have that same strength that he's developed over the course of the season when he goes up with the ball down low. He had the same problem to start the season and will get stronger with more time on the floor.

Stoudemire got into foul trouble early and ended up with five fouls, most of which looked like lazy ones that can be corrected with better conditioning.

In total, STAT played 27 minutes and led the team with 15 points, three rebounds and an impressive four blocks. Although he looked slow at times defensively, you certainly can't say Amar'e didn't contribute in his first game back.

Quite honestly, it looked like the Knicks were celebrating their playoff clinch last night and might have partied just a bit too long into the night. I'm just speculating, of course, but at the very least, the Knicks were sluggish as a team against the Cavs.

Cleveland was far more aggressive and New York's stingy defense wasn't its normal self. As Walt "Clyde" Frazier would say, the Knicks were playing Swiss cheese defense. The Cavs penetrated with no problem and there wasn't a stitch of help.

On the offensive side, the ball was not moving well, and the Knicks were settling for too many jump shots that simply weren't falling. Even Carmelo Anthony struggled, shooting 5-of-13 from the floor, which was good for only 12 points.

The Cavs were knocking down some amazing shots when they weren't abusing the Knicks down low. Guard Manny Harris even hit a 30-footer as the shot clock expired during one of Cleveland's possessions.

It was a good sign for New York to see its star power forward come back and look healthy in his first game. They're going to need STAT in some capacity if they want to compete against their almost-certain, first-round opponents in the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat.

New York can kiss the sixth seed goodbye.

Say what you want about the loss (and it was pitiful), but pinning the blame on Stoudemire's return to the lineup simply isn't conceivable.