With NBA lockout, Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire and his aching back may benefit from extra time off

Amar'e Stoudemire could be hurt financially if the NBA season is shortened due to the lockout, but pushing back the start of the season would do wonders for his physical well-being.

Stoudemire has not fully recovered from a back injury he suffered before Game 2 of the Knicks' first-round series against Boston last April. A Knicks source claims that Stoudemire is approximately "90% healthy" but couldn't guarantee that the six-time All-Star would be available if the NBA season begins on time.

Stoudemire, who took most of July off to rest his back, is scheduled to resume workouts in Florida within the next couple of weeks.

Because of the lockout, Stoudemire is prohibited from working with the Knicks training staff. He has, however, stayed active in other ways. Stoudemire made a cameo in the most recent episode of "Entourage" and has an event scheduled for today at the Polo Grounds Community Center.

In June, Stoudemire admitted to reporters he was "sore" and a "bit tight."

The injury was originally diagnosed as back spasms, but it was later determined that Stoudemire had suffered a pulled muscle. Stoudemire is entering the second year of a five-year, $100 million contract. The Knicks could not get the contract insured because Stoudemire has had major knee surgery as well as an operation for a detached retina.