Ever since it became apparent that Amar'e Stoudemire's return from injury was getting closer, the first thing Knicks coach Mike Woodson said was that the biggest adjustment for the power forward was to learn - and integrate himself into - the defensive schemes that the team was running. Stoudemire agrees with his coach and says for the first time in his career he is finally being taught how to play defense.

“Just having a defensive coach for the first time in my career is going to help. I’ve never been taught defense in my whole career,’’ Stoudemire said after Knicks practice, the day after his return in a 105-100 loss to the Trail Blazers.

“To now have a coach that actually teaches defense and teaches strategies and knows positioning and posture, and how to guard different plays, it’s going to be helpful,” Stoudemire said. “And I’m taking it as a challenge and I’m going to accept the challenge and to improve as a player.’’

Lakers fans take solace that the man Stoudemire is not-so-gently throwing under the bus, is the man in charge out West.