An Open Letter to Amare

[plonden]

Hey guys, I wrote a post at my blog about Amare. There is an excerpt below and the link to the full post after it. Thought you guys might enjoy it.

Everything that follows is said with the utmost respect, as a true fan of Amare Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns. After all, he has recovered from both the dreaded microfracture and an even more devastating freak eye injury, either of which would probably cause some players to consider retirement. The guy has been through a lot in his eight years of service on the front lines of the NBA. That’s what makes everything that has to be said that much more difficult.

But it needs to be said.

This season Stoudemire is averaging 20.9 points on .567/.756 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.8 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.8 turnovers, which is right in line with his career averages, although admittedly down from his peak season (2007-08). However, it feels a little disappointing sometimes watching Amare play because he has all the physical gifts and basketball fundamentals to be one of the top five players in the game today. Top five. And yet he’s not.

What makes me sad is that the only thing keeping Amare from being a top five player in this league for the next five years is himself. It’s that simple. In fact, you can change the fate of the entire Phoenix Suns franchise from being a one-and-done playoff pushover to a legitimate contender in the loaded Western Conference in five easy steps.

Basketball Free For All - An Open Letter to Amare

[Miklo]

Nice post, well said. Can't really think of any better way of stating his current shortcomings. I like him as a player and in fact wouldn't be opposed to shelling out near-max money - IF it looks like he has a shot at getting a better grip of his role and developing where he needs to. What you said about his potential to be top 5 is spot on. A few years back he was considered the #1 center in the league. Now he's a PF really, but playing at his FULL potential I can't think of many big men I'd rather have - so he just needs to get there.

[plonden]

What you said about his potential to be top 5 is spot on.

That is the part that drives me crazy. If Amare only had the drive of a player like Dudley it would be scary and he would be completely dominant.

Thanks for the feedback, Miklo.

[lilfishi22]

Solid post man.

I like how you used KG as an example of leadership. KG is anywhere near the defensive player statistically as he was before, but as much as I hate that guy, he brings it every night. Bum knee or not, he brings the same intensity and effort night in and night out. He single-handedly changed the defensive culture of Boston basketball just by showing up to every game giving 110%.

Amare doesn't have to be a former DPOY like Garnett is to do what Garnett does for Boston's role players. All he has to do is bring it every night and lead by example. Show the young guys that it's not always about ability, a lot of the times it's about effort.

If Amare and Diaw had Dudley's intensity, we would still be a contender.

[plonden]

Show the young guys that it's not always about ability, a lot of the times it's about effort.

Thanks for the comment, lilfishi22.

I think you hit the nail on the head right there. I'm just not seeing it from Stoudemire on the defensive end of the floor and it's a shame. For a guy with his immense physical gifts, effort is the only explanation for why he isn't a defensive game-changer at this point in his career.

[TheMoochinator]

In defense of amare, no pun intended, he has been rebounding considerably better lately which has been a pleasant surprise. and his shooting percentage has been fantastic all year.

But I agree his effort on defense often comes and goes, and although I might be castigated for this I just want to say that Nash's defense has been really, really bad lately. His effort really isnt there on that end either anymore it seems.

Oddly enough, when watching the games I would have to say Jrich and Hill are putting the most effort on that end of the floor.

[plonden]

But I agree his effort on defense often comes and goes, and although I might be castigated for this I just want to say that Nash's defense has been really, really bad lately. His effort really isnt there on that end either anymore it seems.

What has really been driving me crazy about Nash is his jawing at the refs. He has been hanging back and talking to the officials instead of running back on D. I don't remember him getting into the officials' ears this much in prior seasons.

[dantian]

Amare has been used for his natural talent exclusively in his career so far. Suns never really gave him a chance to develop a complete game like Magics and Celtics/Wolves gave Howarnd and Jefferson respectively. Players like Randolph, West, Boozer, Brand, Lee needed to be fundamentally sound to play in the NBA to start with. Amare needs not. That's the tragedy in disguise of blessing.

Now, he has diminished athleticism, he sees it more necessary to develop fundamental skills. We have seen his improved in this area along with his improved conditioning this season. This might be a blessing in disguise. But we don't have set plays to feature Amare handling the ball, or don't do them sufficiently often. We all see the same old Nash dribbling, with more and more turnovers and less and less effectiveness in general, which however could win us a lot of games against clueless weak teams.

This is the dilemma for the Suns. Either they trust that Amare can stay healthy long term and build around him, not having seen his ability to adapt and learn. Or they just trade him, and trade Nash too to start rebuilding. But not still relying on Nash so much is a poison pill that leads to nowhere.

[Mjee]

You sould just go to American Junkie in Scottsdale and tell him...he is always there on the week days.

[tsherkin]

FWIW, he's averaging over 10 rpg over the last 21 games, tonight not included. 10.29 rpg, in fact. He was deplorable tonight, of course, with only 5 boards, but you knew that was coming and he's still averaging 10.01 rpg over the last 22 games if you include tonight. He's been fouling like hell, though, and that's been no good (4 FPG over the last 5 games, 5 tonight in 36 minutes), and he got nearly tripled-up on the glass by Troy Murphy, so that was embarrassing.

Still, as far as rebounding goes, this one is forgiveable because he's been playing well on the glass for a while now.

[Qwigglez]

Amare has been an animal lately. And when his numbers aren't through the roof, it's because the ball isn't going to him. I strongly believe Amare can become the leader of the team, I wish Nash was traded and we could build around Amare.
Hill is also not playing very effectively since November. It seems like he aged ten years since the beginning of the season.

[JohnVancouver]

I have ot say I don't see Amar'e as a problem for us now - he's back in a big way. I saw him stepping out defending the p'n'r last night, he's working harder on defense, he's blocking out - not consistently but at least most of the time, something he never did before - I just can't see any complaint about his game right now.

[Qwigglez]

I have ot say I don't see Amar'e as a problem for us now - he's back in a big way. I saw him stepping out defending the p'n'r last night, he's working harder on defense, he's blocking out - not consistently but at least most of the time, something he never did before - I just can't see any complaint about his game right now.

I think a majority of fans think by trading Amare it will make the Suns elite. Like he is the problem to the Suns.