Stoudemire says Knicks wasted chance to play him with Melo

Amar'e Stoudemire was once the New York Knicks' undisputed star.

During the 2010-11 season, Stoudemire helped the Knicks punch their first playoff ticket in eight years, leading to the signing of Carmelo Anthony.

However, the Knicks' vision of the duo slated to make a run for the Finals never materialized after an injury-plagued season for Stoudemire.

Without specifically pointing fingers at Mike D'Antoni, Mike Woodson, or Derek Fisher, Stoudemire - who now makes rare appearances with the Miami Heat - says Knicks coaches didn't give the duo a chance to shine.

"I don't think we had enough opportunities to play together," Stoudemire said Monday before the Heat's game against the Knick. "I moved to the bench and (became the) sixth, seventh man. When I was in the game, Melo, he was out of the game and vice versa. When we did play together, we showed some flashes of what we could do on the pick-and-roll."

In particular, Stoudemire believes the Knicks didn't make enough use of him and Anthony to execute the league's staple play.

"I don't think that pick-and-roll offense between Melo and I was ever taken advantage of, which we could have. The way he shoots the ball, handles the ball from the outside and the way I attack the rim, it could've been a pretty good combination. I don't think the coaching staff at the time really bought into that."

Anthony and Stoudemire would play together for parts of five seasons, but only made the playoffs twice during that span.