Amar’e Stoudemire Interested in Kobe’s Barnstorming Tour in China

Yesterday, the L.A. Times reported that Kobe Bryant may attempt to assemble a group of NBA players and form two or three barnstorming teams to play exhibition games in China. Well, as the N.Y. Daily News is reporting, Knicks big man Amar’e Stoudemire may be interested in joining: “Amar’e Stoudemire would consider joining Kobe Bryant’s barnstorming tour through China if the NBA lockout extends into the regular season. According to a person close to the Knicks’ All-Star power forward, Stoudemire would only play if he can be insured in case of injury. The Knicks signed Stoudemire last summer to five-year, $100-million contract despite being unable to get the contract insured because Stoudemire has a pre-existing knee problem and has had surgery for a detached retina. After Stoudemire signed, he honored the Knicks’ request to withdraw from the U.S. national team in order to rest his body for the upcoming season. Stoudemire also suffered a back injury prior to Game 2 of the Knicks’ first-round series with Boston in April and is still not 100%. The Knicks are not permitted to have contact with their players during the work stoppage but they would get word to Stoudemire – likely via his agent Happy Walters – that they would prefer if one of their top players didn’t travel to Asia for non-sanctioned NBA exhibitions.”