Amar'e Stoudemire is excited about the addition of Mike Woodson to the Knicks' coaching staff.

"I think it's great," Stoudemire said Wednesday. "It's definitely what we talked about, improving defensively. With the help of Mike (Woodson) it's going to be really positive for us. But it's up to us as players to take that commitment and implement it."

The front office wanted Mike D'Antoni to hire a defensive coach following their four-game sweep in the playoffs at the hands of the Celtics.

"For us to win a championship, defense has to be a primary force," Stoudemire added. "It has to be something that we focus in on. Everyone has to buy into it and everyone has to become much better."