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New York Knicks: 20 greatest performances at Madison Square Garden

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks acknowledges the crowd as he leaves a game against the Charlotte Bobcats after scoring his team record 62nd point at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2014 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Bobcats 125-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks acknowledges the crowd as he leaves a game against the Charlotte Bobcats after scoring his team record 62nd point at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2014 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Bobcats 125-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
New York Knicks Amar’e Stoudemire (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

18. Amar’e Stoudemire, 41 points: Feb. 6, 2011

Amar’e Stoudemire arrived to rejuvenate Knicks basketball in 2010. It lasted for three seasons, with that one standout year in 2010-11 when he had 25.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game to bring this team to their first playoff appearance since 2000-01.

Perhaps Stoudemire’s best game as a Knick happened on Feb. 6, 2011, long before “The Process” consumed the Philadelphia 76ers. The 28-year-old star ravaged them for 41 points, seven rebounds,  four assists and four blocks in 117-103 win.

The Cypress Creek High School product scored 41 points two other times that season, but neither resulted in a win.

The 76ers’ Elton Brand was overwhelmed by Stoudemire’s then-elite athleticism at power forward, finding few failures along the way at 17-for-21 shooting. This was nearly perfect play for the long-time Phoenix Sun.

It happened shortly before the Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony in the blockbuster trade that gutted their depth on Feb. 22. Rumors already swirled for this, so it felt like a statement game for a unit that gelled to a 26-24 record, despite only sticking together for two more weeks.

Longevity didn’t trend in Stoudemire’s favor. Injuries suffered throughout the 2011 postseason carried into the rest of his Knicks career. He played in 177 games across parts of four seasons compared to 78 games in his first year.

The positive memories still stand with Stoudemire’s Knicks tenure though, even if it didn’t maximize a five-year, $100 million deal.