Carlisle indicates larger role awaits Stoudemire after Mavs debut

Amar'e Stoudemire made a strong first impression with his new team.

Stoudemire played just 11 minutes off the bench but dropped 14 points, hauled in three rebounds and nailed all four of his attempts from the line. And he showed some spring in his step, throwing down a pair of dunks in the first quarter to instantly win over the Mavericks' crowd.

The veteran power forward sat out a pair of games after joining Dallas and then saw limited playing time in his debut, but a larger role appears to be on the horizon.

"It's pretty clear the guy knows how to play the game," Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said, according to Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram. "I see his minutes increasing."

Carlisle complimented Stoudemire's versatility as a big and ability to stretch the floor, while expressing that the former New York Knick is the type of player the Mavericks have been unaccustomed to having in the past.

Provided Stoudemire stays healthy, which is a big if, he should see steady minutes as the team's primary backup big behind Tyson Chandler and Dirk Nowitzki.