Amar'e Stoudemire feels 'dominant' again

Amar'e Stoudemire went from king of New York to forgotten man in a flash.

Four years ago, Stoudemire proclaimed "the Knicks are back" after becoming the New York Knicks' biggest free agent splash in years, then proceeded to play MVP-caliber basketball to help resurrect the franchise.

Carmelo Anthony was eventually added to the fold, Stoudemire's knees betrayed him again, the Knicks finally won a playoff series, then the team crashed and burned last year.

Now Stoudemire is entering the final year of his five-year contract, and with Anthony joined by Phil Jackson and new head coach Derek Fisher, Amar'e has become somewhat of a forgotten figure in Gotham.

“I think the previous years of battling injuries, people have forgot," Stoudemire told ESPN New York. “But it’s my job to remind them.”

Stoudemire has missed 89 games over the last three seasons and has averaged less than 23 minutes per game over the last two years, becoming a shadow of the player who averaged 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks in his first season with the Knicks.

Expecting Stoudemire to ever reach those dominant levels again is unrealistic, but the 31-year-old says he feels ready.

“Obviously to reach back to my dominant self, I feel like I’m there now," the six-time All-Star said. "I feel like my body is feeling so much stronger so I feel dominant.”

Stoudemire is still an effective, efficient offensive player in his short spurts on the court, but until he shows he's durable enough to do it consistently and for longer stretches, his confidence will be seen as nothing more than typical preseason hype.