By Jim Scott
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — Amar'e Stoudemire makes his riumphant return to Phoenix for the first time in a Knicks uniform Friday night as New York begins a four-game road trip with a matchup against the Suns.
Phoenix was wary of giving Stoudemire a $100 million contract in July because of concerns about his surgically repaired knees. The Suns loss has become the Knicks gain.
Stoudemire knees have held up so far and he has emerged as an MVP candidate by leading the Knicks to a 20-14 record, the best start for New York since Patrick Ewing roamed the paint at Madison Square Garden in the 1990s.
The Knicks power forward is averaging a career-high 26.4 points per game in former Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense and has become a clubhouse leader.
Friday night's game will be significant for Stoudemire, who was voted to the All-Star games five times after Phoenix drafted him in the first round of the 2002 draft.
"It's a little bit more than just another game. We're starting off a West Coast trip and we want to get a good start," Stoudemire told the New York Post. "I think the fans are excited to welcome me back. It was a great run when I was there, nothing but great memories. [Tonight's] going to be one of these days where I really enjoy it.
The Knicks have won two straight, including a 128-115 win over the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Wilson Chandler scored a game high 31 points to lead New York over the Spurs.
The Suns have not been the same team this year without Stoudemire in the post. Phoenix has lost six of its last seven games and is coming off a 99-95 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
"We lost an All-Star power forward and we didn't replace him," Suns point guard Steve Nash told the Daily News. "We have no real kind of power forward. It's kind of apples and oranges."
New York begins their road trip against Phoenix before playing the Lakers on Sunday. The Knicks finish the trip up next week against Portland and Utah.
Stoudemire is confident the team will have a good West Coast trip.
"It's going to be great. I don't think they've got anybody on (the Suns) that can stop me," Stoudemire told the Post. "And nobody can stop us as a team, so we're going to see what we can do."
