Mike D'Antoni touts Knicks PF Amar'e Stoudemire as an MVP candidate as Carmelo Anthony rumors swirl

Mike D'Antoni believes that a rejuvenated Amar'e Stoudemire is poised to have an MVP-caliber season for the Knicks.

"I'm hoping he's the MVP this year," D'Antoni said. "That's kind of what he should shoot for and I'm sure what he's trying to be."

Barring a deal for Carmelo Anthony between now and the February trading deadline, the Knicks will need a defining year from Stoudemire in order to become a playoff team. The perennial All-Star power forward is as close as you can get to a one-man gang in the NBA. He is surrounded by good to average pieces, which is nothing compared to the supporting casts around MVP candidates like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard.

"With that being said, I feel like if we all improve and get better then we have a great chance of doing something special this year," Stoudemire said following Thursday's practice at McGill University.

Stoudemire turns 28 next month and despite a history of knee problems, he is convinced that his best years are ahead of him. Asked Thursday if he has reached his prime, Stoudemire said: "Not yet, not yet. I think this year is going to be the starting point of my prime."

To lift the Knicks, Stoudemire's rebounding numbers have to go up and he will need to become a more willing defender, especially around the basket. He will also need help. Knicks president Donnie Walsh is trying to acquire Anthony from Denver but no deal is imminent.

If Anthony doesn't arrive by Wednesday's opening night, Stoudemire will enter the season with a collection of relative neophytes. D'Antoni is still searching for the right combination of players and still needs to get everyone healthy. Danilo Gallinari could miss Friday night's preseason finale against Toronto with a sore wrist. Toney Douglas could be held out with a sore shoulder.

Two players who are expected to be regulars in the rotation - Anthony Randolph and Roger Mason - have struggled in the preseason and D'Antoni is willing to take a risk and give swingman Landry Fields, a second-round draft pick out of Stanford, a shot. The Knicks have plenty of questions and only one answer: Stoudemire.

"It doesn't make a difference right now," Stoudemire said of the Anthony rumors. "We can't really focus on no one else out there. We can't really depend on no one else that's not with us right now. The team we have right now, we've got to make sure we're ready to play."