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01:57 PM ET 01.03 | Usually when you are 30 years old and have been in the NBA for 10 years, you are what you are as a player. In the case of New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire, that means he is a good -- sometimes great -- offensive player who is a liability at the defensive end of the floor. At this point of his career, it is a little late to change that now, but that won't stop Stoudemire from trying. Stoudemire recently told ESPN's Jared Zwerling that he has never been taught how to play defense before, a shot at former Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni. Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has often said that he isn't worried about Stoudemire's offensive game, but is more concerned about STAT at the defensive end of the floor. After watching Stoudemire's debut Tuesday night in a loss against the Portland Trail Blazers, there is a reason to be concerned. That's something Stoudemire said he realizes and is something he has never learned in his decade-long NBA career.

Amar'e Stoudemire, Getty Images/ Bruce Bennett

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January 3, 2013 09:24 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:38 PM ET 01.03 by Docmadinejad

Yes. The man has always been a team player. He'll do what he has to do.

Are you joking?

...the best policy

Harrodsburg, KY

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January 3, 2013 09:25 PM ET

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This dumbass is saying no one has ever taught him defense. I say ****.

Coaches have tried to teach him defense. He just ain't been listening.

...the best policy

Harrodsburg, KY

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January 3, 2013 11:40 PM ET

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Since when does T & R post a dozen a day???

77Jays95Raptors

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January 4, 2013 01:10 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 11:40 PM ET 01.03 by 77Jays95Raptors

Since when does T & R post a dozen a day???

Welcome to 2013, the hire freeze is over.

FBI676

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January 4, 2013 06:16 AM ET

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I was laughing so hard when Stoudemire finally got the ball in the post and tried to do some of the moves he was taught by Hakeem.

1. He's so unbelievably predictable

2. He's too nervous, messes it up, doesn't look at what his defender is doing. He just stands there, thinks "ok lets do the move" and bam loses the ball.

Bukowski

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January 4, 2013 08:39 AM ET

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Melo has taken great strides to play with the team mentality and improve his defense tremedously. Now it's up to STAT to prove if he can do likewise by establishing himself as a defensive beast and working his way slowly into a moving offense. The ball stops when it gets to STAT but I guess you can't ask too much from a bench player.