One day after NBA?Commissioner David Stern cancelled the first two weeks of the season, New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire told fans to stay patient — even as threats of a longer holdout linger.
Stoudemire appeared on multiple ESPN programs yesterday morning and, despite the call for patience, his comments did not appear hopeful.
“I think we’re pretty far apart, but the most important part is that we’re trying to work to get something done,” Stoudemire said. “There are so many jobs at stake. Their livelihoods are on the line. We’ll get a deal done eventually.”
The NBA?season, which was to have begun Nov. 2, will now not begin until Nov. 14 at the earliest.
Stoudemire and the Knicks were scheduled to take on the Miami Heat in the league’s season opener. Instead, Stoudemire and his Knicks teammate Carmelo Anthony will continue playing with rivals Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on a touring exhibition team.
If the lockout continues, however, Stoudemire did say he was open to playing overseas as fellow New York-area star Deron Williams has done.
“I think [playing overseas] definitely should be considered,” Stoudemire told ESPN. “It could be an option.”
No new talks between the players and owners have been scheduled.
