Amare is Fired Up "I Want to be Ron Artest"

[asubennett]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/09/09/20080909sunsamare0910.html

Highlights: Very encouragin words. Hope it translates on the court now! He is very excited about Porter you can tell.

"I want to be Ron Artest," Stoudemire said, explaining the focus of his recent work on defense, along with efficiency in his offensive moves. "I want to be that guy you fear when you see him guarding you."

"I feel fit and fierce," he said. "My health is tremendous. I have no worries about extra work. Before, I never wanted to overwork. I always wanted to do more, but I was coming back from injuries. I can do whatever I want on the court without second-guessing now."

"I couldn't be more ecstatic about the decision," Stoudemire said of the Porter hire. "He's very organized. He knows what it takes to win. He wants to be the champion. That falls into the category of the Stoudemire brand and also the Phoenix Suns brand. We want to be champions, whatever it takes to do it."

[rsavaj]

"I want to be Ron Artest," Stoudemire said, explaining the focus of his recent work on defense, along with efficiency in his offensive moves. "I want to be that guy you fear when you see him guarding you."

I'm sorry, but Amare cracks me up some times.

Good to see he's ready to go, at least.

[KF10]

Well, at least Amare acknowledges Artest being a defender that strikes fear... But yeah, I could really Amare being a defensive force IF motivated/effort. He has the tools to be a respectable defender but he needs to put it all together IMO.

[daveang]

It's good that Amare has a defensive focus, and while it isn't going to happen overnight, his desire to become a better defensive player is a good sign. If the rest of the team gets better defensively, Amare will look like a better defender straight away.

[mkot]

Amare talks alot...but at least he's talking about defense. This time last year he was talking about becoming a 3 point threat.

I don't know how one could make a huge jump from being one of the worst defender in the league to being a Ron Artest. But I'd say if he has the focus, he could be at least average. I hope it happens, starting from focusing on boxing out.

[nba_addict]

Is it just me but lately Amare sounds like Shaq based on article qoutes.

Good to hear he is working on his defense. Im fine with Ron Artest comparison as long as he dont attack detroit fans.

[flanpaw42]

he's got the tools. if he has the desire then i dont see why he couldnt turn into a good to great defender.

one of the biggest knocks on him use to be his mid range j. he worked on that and now he's almost automatic out 15-18 ft.

cartwright can help alot with his fundamentals and everything else. thats why he was brought in. so lets take a wait and see approach.

the thing that made me laugh was when he said the "amare brand". that was hilarious.

oh andhearing him say he is worry free about his knees makes me feel much better. he had been a little tentative because of the knees. if he is no longer worried then that means he is no longer feeling pain and whatnot that is only a good thing.

[psyclone1982]

I think all of us would agree that IF Amare set his mind on improving his D he could easily be one of the top 5 defensive big men in the league, just like over the past 2 seasons he has become one of the best mid rnage shooting bigmen in the league, who is better at those mid to FT range jumpers than amare, dirk and ?

If he puts his mind to it, he will do it, it's just wether or not he wants to.

[eastsidecrossover]

One of the worst defenders is a little over the top mkot. He was not one of the worst. However, I have heard that he has been working on this D and back to this basket game. He is not one of the worst, but I would say avg or just below avg.

Whatever fires him up to win, that is all that matters.

[garrick]

I think it will take him a little bit of time to become a good defender, however it's nice that he wants to put in the effort.

Amare could be a 3pt threat because he has proven he can hit the three but I don't think they want him jacking up threes all the time. Still I want stat to shoot at least one three in a game.

[TASTIC]

Seriously, all he needs to do is put EFFORT into it. Watch the defensive players of the past who were around the same size as him (KG, Hakeem, Horace Grant, KT etc) and try to mirror what they did with their body position and movement etc...

Definitely some Shaq arrogance/confidence coming out in him haha

[lilfishi22]

I think Amare can be a great defender, there's no doubting that. And I have no doubts he'll learn all the defensive techniques he needs without problems. What I am doubting is his determination to apply himself on the defensive end during games. His little 15ft J is one of the best in the league, but because it's an offensive move I could see why he was able to learn it so quick. But Amare has always been one of those players that isn't asked to give 100% on defense and all of a sudden being told to be defend and hustle is a lot.

He can talk all he wants and work on his defense all he wants, but if he doesn't apply himself defensively in the game, it ain't worth jack.

[rsavaj]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/125361

LAWL@Amare saying he's at "2% body fat". Lance Armstrong in his PRIME hovered around 4-5, and he's a genetic freak. Even the Mailman was around 4-5%.

Methinks Amare means he's drinking 2% milk.

[nevetsov]

"What the.. this man has 102% body fat! Hey! No eating in the tub!"

"..go to hell"

(one of the best Simpsons quotes ever)

[flanpaw42]

2% is the bare minimum male needs to keep on functioning so its not outside the relm of possibility. he probably isnt that cut but we will see soon wont we. as long as he is taking vitamins he should be good. 4-6% should be his goal just for health sake. who knows though.

[DaDragicShow]

It's good to hear Amare Stoudemire working his butt off to become a better defensive player. Now it's Nash's turn to come out and say the same thing.lol

[tsherkin]

We all know he won't be a feared defender this year but if he can keep that attitude and at least display improved fundamentals and effort, then he will do the team a great service by being just an average post defender. Anything else is pure bonus. He's got the physical traits necessary to be a good defender, especially now that he's at the 4 basically full-time.

I don't think he'll ever be an elite defender but I could see him being a pretty good one if he maintains his focus and effort.

[Purple Palace]

I'm not buying it until I see it consistently. Didn't he say the same stuff last year?

[chrice]

I'm not buying either. He blames D'Antoni for holding the team back defensively, but he has never put in the effort himself. He should have had this attitude from the very beginning, not six years later into his career.

[Ballings7]

I'll believe it when I start seeing it and consistently... he needs to walk the walk now. Like said, don't think you can expect him to be a top-level defender, all-nba-level defender, but he can at least be adequate to some better than that defensively. Already is as a shotblocker, just has to get smarter in going for them. He has to take the assumed dedication and focus from off the game floor, and put that improvement and focus into the game play.