Amar'e Stoudemire got a large dose of New York Saturday night, taking in a Broadway show, watching incredulously as two reporters snuck into the theater and were chased out by the
NYPD, and claiming that two other
NBA superstars are ready to join him in a
Knicks uniform if he decides to sign here.
Wearing a Yankees cap and leaning against a building on Eighth Ave., as he waited for his limo to pick him up from the
musical "Rock of Ages," the free-agent forward confirmed that he will be meeting with the Knicks Monday, possibly to make a deal.
Then he dropped a bombshell that seemed too good to be true:
"I've talked to
Carmelo Anthony that he needs to come out here," Stoudemire said. "I've talked to
Tony Parker. Both guys are ready to join me if I decide to come here. So we will see if we can work it out."
Asked about playing with.
LeBron James, the 6-10 Stoudemire smiled and said, "That would be great," then headed to his white stretch limo.
Stoudemire's agent,
Happy Walters, by his side for the show and on Eighth Ave., as his client was mobbed by fans, was asked if he believes Stoudemire will be a Knick after Monday's meeting. Walters smiled and, in full stride down 47th St., replied: "Yes, I mean we are here aren't we? Hopefully it goes well (Monday). We are here in New York, aren't we?"
The agent didn't say whether they plan to meet with any other teams or how long they would be in town.
Stoudemire plans to be in the
Bronx Sunday to see the
Yankees against the
Blue Jays. He called
Derek Jeter his favorite player and labeled
Joba Chamberlain a close friend.
"I love New York, it's a great city," Stoudemire said, his expression unchanging. Asked if he plans on becoming a Knick, he said, "It's possible."
The 27-year-old then was asked what he would bring to the Knicks' depleted roster.
"We'll just have to wait and see," he muttered, staring out into a sea of fans passing by and calling his name.
He certainly sounded as if he's ready to become a Knick, saying of the team, "It's one of the most historic franchises in NBA history. It's a beautiful city.
Madison Square Garden is definitely one of the most intriguing places to play. So they definitely have a few great points on their side."
Stoudemire equivocated when he was asked whether he was disappointed by not returning to
Phoenix.
"The organization of Phoenix has been great my whole career," Stoudemire said. "I left my stamp on that organization as far as what we were able to accomplish. It was a great ride. So on to the next one."
But will he be riding with another All-Star or will he be riding the Knick express alone? A source told the Daily News that Anthony, who becomes a free agent in 2011, probably will sign a three-year extension to stay in
Denver. The Daily News also reported earlier that Parker's name has been linked with the Knicks. Was Stoudemire being overly optimistic when he floated the names of Parker and Anthony potentially joining him in New York? Or was he making promises he can't keep?
I knew you'd come out to defend. He was a good player for us. Too bad he isn't a championship type player as proven in the playoffs this year when his +/- was bad enough to warrant benching him. 
