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MIAMI, Nov. 9 (AP) -- Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire's sore right knee is much better, and he was available to play in Friday night's game against the winless Miami Heat.

Stoudemire said he felt no pain during the team's morning shootaround in Miami.

"I think he'll start. He should,'' Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It was just a matter of time. Now it's just getting our team together and getting a little bit better, so it's good to have him back.''

Stoudemire, who had arthroscopic surgery on the knee last month to remove a loose particle, sat out Phoenix's previous three games. The Suns went 2-1 in those contests.

"I feel good. Felt great. Today's one of my better days,'' Stoudemire said after Friday's brief workout.

He had 23 points and 11 rebounds in Phoenix's season-opening win against Seattle, but was largely ineffective the next night in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with seven points on 2-for-10 shooting and one rebound in 24 minutes.

Stoudemire hasn't played since.

The two-time All-Star played in only three games of the 2005-06 season because of microfracture surgery on his left knee. He returned strongly last year, playing in all 82 regular-season games and averaging 20.4 points and a career-high 9.6 rebounds. Stoudemire also shot 57.5 percent last year, another career best.

Stoudemire had surgery on the right knee once previously, also to remove some debris.

November 09 07

Arizona Republic scribe Paula Bovin reports on David Stern’s first press conference in Phoenix since suspending Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw from last year’s playoffs:

Stern’s press conference at US Airways Center that followed the announcement of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game coming here was tense and at times almost uncomfortable. By the end, when someone mentioned "this joyous day" in Phoenix, Stern said,"You could have fooled me."

Hey, we still had questions. The first two came from Channel 15’s Craig Fouhy and Channel 10’s Jude LaCava. Both asked pointed, stern questions about why the commissioner took a tougher stand with Amaré Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for leaving the bench area after a brief altercation in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals than he did with with his own officials, whom he recently acknowledged have all violated the contractual prohibition against engaging in gambling.

My Quick Take: He came in peace, offered the 2009 All-Star game as an olive branch, and then got torn to shreds by Phoenix’s press.

The Arizona media ignored the All-Star game announcement and went Spanish inquisition on David Stern, questioning the commissioner’s decision to suspend Stoudemire and Diaw for leaving the bench during a skirmish in last year’s playoffs.

Here is the real issue: Stern appears to have two sets of rules. Most of the time, he enforces the letter of the law. But sometimes he exercises discretion and only enforces the spirit of the law.

Nobody knows which rules Stern will enforce and when.

For example, every NBA referee wagered on games. Other than Tim Donaghy, they all received a light punishment from the suits at head office.

A few years ago, Antonio Davis didn’t just leave the bench; he jumped over the entire bench area, raced into the stands, and accosted a fan who had been provoked into an argument by the forward’s wife. Davis also got off easy, receiving a five game suspension.

For whatever reason, the commissioner threw the book at STAT and Diaw, suspending the forwards for a minor infraction and killing the Suns’ chances of winning the 2006-07 NBA Title.

Today, Phoenix’s reporters wanted Stern to explain the league’s process for deciding suspensions. What criteria are used? After all, it would appear that the ‘commish’ gets together with right-hand Stu Jackson and the two use an ouiji board to dole out random sentences for indiscretions.

But instead of providing the media with an explanation, Stern did the expected-he got defensive. And today’s press conference was as comfortable as Isiah Thomas and George Karl getting together for afternoon tea.

Suns-nation will eventually accept last year’s misfortune. They have to. After all, the players have moved on. But today’s press conference with Stern proved time hasn’t healed all wounds-even when the commissioner is extending an olive branch.

Should Phoenix’s media and fans let go of last year’s playoffs? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes “in a way, the Suns worked it out in practice Thursday. That is because Amaré Stoudemire's session went so well that he said he would have played in a game Thursday. His presence can open passing lanes and shooting space for teammates. Stoudemire said his right knee was slightly sore and swollen Thursday but that it felt better when he warmed up. 'It's not for sure, for sure, but it's leaning more toward so than not so,' Stoudemire said in regard to his status for tonight's game at winless Miami."

In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes “Suns center Amaré Stoudemire worked up a sweat Wednesday night on the Philips Arena court, but it all came before tipoff as he sat out a third consecutive game because of his sore right knee. He said his hope was to use today's practice to be ready to play Friday in Miami. He said his day-to-day status has created pressure but he emphasized that the staff has not pushed him.”

PHOENIX, Nov. 5 (AP) -- Swelling in Amare Stoudemire's right knee could sideline him for the second game in a row when the Phoenix Suns begin a four-game road trip Tuesday night at Charlotte.

"It all depends on how I feel,'' Stoudemire said after the Suns practiced on Monday. "If I feel good tomorrow, then I'll play. If not, then I'll sit it out. There's no pressure being put on me by the staff or the trainers.''

Stoudemire watched film, lifted weights and did some shooting while his teammates practiced. He sat out Phoenix's 103-92 victory over Cleveland on Sunday. The all-star forward had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 2.

He missed virtually all the 2005-06 season after microfracture surgery on his left knee. The latest surgery was considered minor, and Stoudemire had come back strong before the swelling occurred.

Coach Mike D'Antoni said he was not concerned about any long-term impact.

"Maybe it's just a normal thing, just a little too much activity, maybe,'' D'Antoni said. "Whatever it is, with a couple of days' rest, he'll be fine.''

Stoudemire, the only player to appear in all 82 regular-season Suns games last season, said he is taking a cautious approach.

"It's early, I've got a long career,'' he said. "You can't win a championship in November, but you can lose one, you know what I'm saying? I just want to make sure I take my time and get back right so I'm able to go to war with these guys the next few months.''

In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Rick Bonnell writes “too much, too soon. That is the Suns' hope when it comes to why center Amaré Stoudemire missed Sunday's game. Stoudemire sat out because of stiffness he felt recently in the right knee that underwent a knee scope Oct. 2. Stoudemire had some minimal swelling in recent days, something that did not happen in the days after the surgery to remove a loose body. General Manager Steve Kerr said Stoudemire's return would now be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.”