Alan Hahn's post on New York Knicks | Latest updates on Sulia

Amar'e Stoudemire, after his first practice of the season, was candid about #Knicks success without him:

"It's been pretty tough, knowing my competitive natuve, but it's been pleasing because we're playing extremely well," Stoudemire said of the team's 18-6 start. "So that's a gift and a curse. I want to play, but at the same time, we're playing well, so that allows me time to recover and improve." Stoudemire on Tuesday worked out with the Knicks' D-League team at MSG Training Center and how his knee responds on Wednesday will set the course. Mike Woodson didn't rule Stoudemire out to play as early as this weekend, but also made it clear he has no plans to rush the six-time all-star power forward back. There was some thought that, based on the 6-to-8 week recovery period originally set after his left knee debridement, Stoudemire could be back in time for the Knicks' nationally-televised showdown with the Lakers on Christmas Day. But Stoudemire downplayed it. "I don't know where everyone got that assumption that I'd be back Christmas Day," he said. "I never made that assumption at all. I'm not totally sure I'll be back by then." All in all, Stoudemire did say he was "very pleased with the progress" of his knee and said his "timing is almost there." He still has some soreness in the knee, which is expected. "Not where I want to be at this point," he said, "I'll get there soon."