Amar'e Stoudemire may be ready for Game 3.

I already rambled a bit about my hopes and worries in advance of Amar'e Stoudemire's return, but it wasn't clear at that point when that return would be. It's still not set, but we have an idea:

Full word on Amar'e - out G1 and 2 - will scrimmage Thursday and if all goes well, again on Friday - and then if all's well - play Saturday

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) May 4, 2013

That weirdly prolonged layoff between Game 2 in New York and Game 3 in Indiana makes sense as the window to get Amar'e on the practice court and see if he's ready. With luck, they'll be up 2-0 at that point and comfortable enough to let Amar'e return at his own pace.

As I said before, I don't really know what to make of the impending return. I think Amar'e's presence could fit this rotation better than it fit the one he left-- Kenyon Martin plays now, and his availability allows New York to never, ever play Amar'e as the lone big man. It's hard to know how bouncy and offensively productive Stoudemire'll be at the outset, though, and the Knicks don't have much time to wait. It's a dicey proposition, but it's in the future. Mike Woodson's gotta take care of Games 1 and 2 first. When the time comes, this'll be a test of Woody's skills as both a tactician and politician.

Other things:

Melo says his shoulder only bothers him when it gets hit. He clarified earlier comments, saying it's not dislocated or separated. #Knicks

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 4, 2013

Okay, so just nobody hit Carmelo Anthony ever and we're good.

And this:

Reggie Miller will be the analyst for Pacers-Knicks Game 2 on Tuesday.

— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) May 4, 2013

Again, none of these games will be on MSG. Our poor ears.