Stoudemire Returns to Knicks Practice GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Amar'e Stoudemire returned to practice Monday and said he would play in the Knicks' next preseason game, against the Toronto Raptors on Friday in Montreal. At the team's practice, which was televised on NBA TV, Stoudemire seemed to move well after missing much of last week with a bruised left knee. The injury forced him to miss the first two preseason games. Stoudemire wore a protective sleeve over his knee, but he dunked and displayed a turnaround fade-away jumper. "I was trying to find my wind today, but I feel great being back out there," he said. I was able to work on a few moves down there and get a feel back. It takes a few days to get back in top shape, but I'll be ready to go. J.R. Smith also practiced after missing Saturday's game with a sore left ankle. Coach Mike Woodson said he was pleased to have both Stoudemire and Smith on the court again and that, for their first day back, both players looked good. With Stoudemire's absence, the Knicks' offense has featured the pick-and-roll and isolation plays from the wing. Woodson said he's ready to implement low post plays for his frontcourt now that Stoudemire has returned. "I'm going to start adding some things as we go along starting tomorrow," Woodson said. We'll start scrimmaging more now. Stoudemire didn't make the trip to Hartford for Saturday's game, but he did watch his teammates beat the Boston Celtics, 98-95, in overtime back in New York. He said he has been impressed with the play of the point guards Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni. "It was a great game," Stoudemire said. It was an exciting finished and they have been playing well. I can't wait to be back out there. We have a pretty solid team, so these next four day of practice are going to be very key for us to get sharp. Felton Sees Similarities After Monday's practice, Felton was asked if Woodson's offensive system was different than the one former Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni ran when Felton was with in the Knicks in 2010-11. Felton said there is some difference, but not as much as people would think. "It's different, but at the same time it's a lot screen and roll, so I can't complain with that," he said. That's what I love to do. Under D'Antoni's up-tempo, pick-and-roll offense, Felton averaged 17.1 points and 9 assists in 54 games with the Knicks. In the first two preseason games, Woodson has had Felton use the pick-and-roll. Felton has used his dribble to also get into the paint to find open teammates. Woodson is hoping a mixture of different plays will help make Felton a strong point guard. "I like everything about Raymond in terms of running a team," he said. He gets up in you defensively and he's doing all the things that have been asked of him. He's going to get better in time once I think he really learns our players and the offensive system that we'll eventually put in. Injury Update Steve Novak was given a recovery day and didn't practice Monday because of fatigue after playing 38 minutes, the most of any player, in Saturday's game. "He deserved a day off," Woodson said. Rasheed Wallace was seen doing a number of sprints up and down the court during practice. Woodson said it will be just a matter of time before Wallace practices with the team. Woodson said he didn't have any update on Marcus Camby (strained left calf), but sounded positive about Ronnie Brewer (left knee) returning to the team soon. "I think Ronnie is getting close," he said.