Amare Stoudemire is taking the disappointment of losing to the Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals into the offseason.

?I think it helps us because it lets us know we were this close to winning a championship, an inch from winning a championship,? said Stoudemire, lamenting the Game5 suspension he received but saying he would not appeal it and does not think the bench rule needs to be changed. ?It just played out that that Stoudemire guy wasn't able to play.?

Stoudemire has been working out regularly this month on the practice court with assistant coach Phil Weber after taking the end of May off.

?I can't help it,? Stoudemire said. ?I just can't leave the court. I guess you can call me a basketholic.?