I don't know to be honest.
Melo seems to be a much better scorer (much more efficient) without Amar'e on the floor. Our defense is unquestionably better, BUT
we could do with a second high profile scorer. At the moment we only have Melo. Shump is fantastic, but he'S also a rookie we can't expect him to deliver 20 pt games like it ain't no thing in the Playoffs. J.R. Smith is a terrible chucker who we can't rely on as a second option. Davis looks past it. Fields is Fields....so when it comes to scoring, especially in the Playoffs, we could definitely do with Amar'e.
Should he come off the bench? Probably, but his lack of defense might even hurt us more when he's in with the second unit, because our great defenders Chandler and Shump will be sitting and Jeffries can't guard his own man AND clean up for Amar'e all the time...
I also don't think Amar'e would accept a bench role at this point. In addition to that Woodson won't even discuss the topic, the risk is too high to create an Orlando-type situation.
Conclusion: Should he come off the bench? In terms of how well our current lineup has played and how cohesive the unit is - YES.
But when you consider his lack of defense and the fact that the second unit already has to 'carry' one bad defender in Novak AND the risk of a huge bust up between Amar'e and the coaching staff....it might be better to start him.
ONe thing is for sure though: Shumpert MUST start!!!
There is no way Shumpert goes back to the bench and Fields starts at the 2 hen Amar'e returns. If Woodson does that he has to go imo.
Shumpert has more than proven how valuable he is and what a good starter he is, while Fields can't guard SGs at all and is pretty erratic on offense.