http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3076639
PHOENIX -- Amare Stoudemire announced his return to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night with a few thunderous dunks to the delight of several thousand fans at a public scrimmage.
"It went great. I felt good out there," he said afterward. "I felt healthy. I felt strong. I've just got to get in a little better shape and I'll be OK."
Stoudemire had not practiced since undergoing minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 2. It was his left knee that was the subject of microfracture surgery, and he missed all but three games in the 2005-06 season.
With fans getting free admission to the scrimmage, Stoudemire treated them with a few of his trademark quick, powerful slams. He also had a slick pass to Shawn Marion for a basket.
Stoudemire moved into the center spot with a starting lineup of Marion, Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Raja Bell.
"You forget how physical Amare is," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "You forget the dominance physically that he does, and the quickness. You play really well but when you put him out there, all of a sudden it's a different game."
Stoudemire earned first-team All-NBA honors and was the only Suns player to appear in all 82 games last year, one season removed from his long recovery. This surgery was far less serious and Stoudemire said his knee felt fine.
"The training staff has done a great job of maintenance and rehab and making sure I maintain my strength," he said. "That's definitely been important for me, and everything's been going great so far."
He did get tired, though. After one big play, he collapsed into a courtside seat between two startled fans, placing an arm around each.
"I needed that one," Stoudemire said. "It was long enough. It was like a five-second break."
D'Antoni said Stoudemire's conditioning will determine how long he plays in the remaining two preseason games: at home against Denver on Thursday night and against Seattle in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday.
"I thought he looked sharp," D'Antoni said. "It's just a matter of conditioning, his timing and getting to know the guys a little bit, but other than that he looks good."
Leandro Barbosa didn't play in the scrimmage and will sit out the two preseason games because of bruised ribs. Barbosa said he was injured when someone fell on him late in the game against Charlotte in Los Angeles on Sunday.
"I went to the ground to fight for the ball and somebody jumped on me," Barbosa said. He didn't know who did it, but said, "It was a big guy."
The ribs were not broken, just severely bruised.
Barbosa plans to rest for a week and hopes to be ready for the season opener Nov. 1 at Seattle.
"It hurts, especially for me to breathe," he said, "and I cannot move. ... Yesterday it was really bad. Today I've been feeling better than yesterday. I think every day I will be better a little bit, so hopefully before the season starts I will be back."
PHOENIX -- Amare Stoudemire announced his return to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night with a few thunderous dunks to the delight of several thousand fans at a public scrimmage.
"It went great. I felt good out there," he said afterward. "I felt healthy. I felt strong. I've just got to get in a little better shape and I'll be OK."
Stoudemire had not practiced since undergoing minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 2. It was his left knee that was the subject of microfracture surgery, and he missed all but three games in the 2005-06 season.
With fans getting free admission to the scrimmage, Stoudemire treated them with a few of his trademark quick, powerful slams. He also had a slick pass to Shawn Marion for a basket.
Stoudemire moved into the center spot with a starting lineup of Marion, Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Raja Bell.
"You forget how physical Amare is," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "You forget the dominance physically that he does, and the quickness. You play really well but when you put him out there, all of a sudden it's a different game."
Stoudemire earned first-team All-NBA honors and was the only Suns player to appear in all 82 games last year, one season removed from his long recovery. This surgery was far less serious and Stoudemire said his knee felt fine.
"The training staff has done a great job of maintenance and rehab and making sure I maintain my strength," he said. "That's definitely been important for me, and everything's been going great so far."
He did get tired, though. After one big play, he collapsed into a courtside seat between two startled fans, placing an arm around each.
"I needed that one," Stoudemire said. "It was long enough. It was like a five-second break."
D'Antoni said Stoudemire's conditioning will determine how long he plays in the remaining two preseason games: at home against Denver on Thursday night and against Seattle in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday.
"I thought he looked sharp," D'Antoni said. "It's just a matter of conditioning, his timing and getting to know the guys a little bit, but other than that he looks good."
Leandro Barbosa didn't play in the scrimmage and will sit out the two preseason games because of bruised ribs. Barbosa said he was injured when someone fell on him late in the game against Charlotte in Los Angeles on Sunday.
"I went to the ground to fight for the ball and somebody jumped on me," Barbosa said. He didn't know who did it, but said, "It was a big guy."
The ribs were not broken, just severely bruised.
Barbosa plans to rest for a week and hopes to be ready for the season opener Nov. 1 at Seattle.
"It hurts, especially for me to breathe," he said, "and I cannot move. ... Yesterday it was really bad. Today I've been feeling better than yesterday. I think every day I will be better a little bit, so hopefully before the season starts I will be back."