Amare with just 2 rebounds in 32 min

[jax98]

Bulls fan here.

There's always been a problem in the fact that Amare hasn't rebounded enough. It's likely something that's going to stay with him for the rest of career. Players grow comfortable in doing certain things at certain times, and Amare is clearly focused on scoring the ball and making that his number one job. Since he's quite good at that, it's hard to point fingers at him for selecting to play to his strenghts.

Having said that, I do think it's necessary for him to establish some kind of rebounding and/or defensive presence, if he truly wish to be the game-changing superstar that is every penny worth of a max contract. With the injuries, I think there's going to be a mental aspect of not wanting to do more physical work, in order to remain healthy. You can see it with Luol Deng now. The guy is timid and looks uncomfortable in situations that were usually his bread and butter.

Amare is going to be 27 real soon. He's in the absolute prime of his career, which makes this year so incredibly important to him. He has one last chance to show the league he can be that big time double-double guy who averages 25/12, or he could remain on course and get 28/8 and try to earn a new contract via being a scorer. It's really up to him. Since the Bulls are a possible destination for him, we're going to keep an eye on him all year long. The Bulls were 28th in the league in defensive rebounds last year, so if Amare's effort isn't there on the boards, it's likely that there's one less suiter come july. We'll see. I'll be optimistic and hope for his sake he gets on the glass.

[aIvin adams]

What I mean is when he goes out one night and gets 30 and 20 then the next 5 nights goes out and gets 30 and 5, heck next 10 in most cases.

Today's game is a prime example. 12 boards in just over 30 minutes. Now watch him go out next game and get another 2 in 33 minutes.

if he were a great rebounder, he would still have a large range between rebound totals on any given night.

if it were dwight howard he would have 8 rebounds one night and 18 rebounds the next.

[Christine-In-AZ]

If Stoudemire's rebounding numbers do take a significant dip this year, I'm going to guess it'll have plenty to do with his detached/repaired retina.

Going often and getting in the mix for rebounds, definately leads to getting whacked in the head more often. Occasionally catching an elbow or hand slap to the head is part of the game, but if that hit could lead to you going blind in one eye, it might make you hesitate to get in the scrum.

I wouldn't or couldn't blame Amar'e if he is hesitant due to the eye. But if true, his already suspect defense will be even more suspect, diminishing his value to the Suns or any other team he plays for in the future. Getting defensive rebounds is a large part of playing good defense...especially if you're playing the 4 or 5.

Way, way too early to say if there is a reluctancy from Amar'e to "mix it up". Even if it is present now, Amar'e will probably lighten up with this rational fear as the games go on.

[RunDogGun]

Some of the Amare defenders have valid points. I can totally see how Amare would be more timid while playing inside. The problem is that he is the one asking( almost demanding) a max contract. If he isn't willing to do the dirty work, he should just pick up the game of golf.

Some of the other defenders of Amare seem like they have never played a game of basketball in their life, yet they comment on it like they actually know how to box someone out. It comes down to getting position before the shot is even up, and then using leverage and lower body to keep the man out. Amare does none of this. As soon as the shot leaves the opposition's hands, he turns his head to watch the shot like a little kid on the playground. He has no idea where his guy is at that point. The games I have seen in preseason, he seems to be watching even more, which is quite scary. Roc, I still have a hard time believing that Amare did a good job of boxingout.

I am not only ripping Amare's preseason rebounding efforts, I think he sucks at rebounding since the knee injury. There really has only been a few games where he aggressively went after the ball.

He gives up position way too early, and allows his man to set up camp right under the basket. Watch him on defensive freethrows. Watch the other team switch their guy to put their best rebounder next to Amare. Then watch Amare get shoved almost out of bounds. He is in no position to board, and it seems that most guys know this.

Maybe some of you are ok with how terrible he is at rebounding, but for as much as he has been talking his game up, about how much of a leader he is, how other teams will become champs if he goes to their team, and how he wants max money, I expect so much more.

But if he wants to play just one side of the ball, and can't even learn how to boxout correctly, I think he should get nothing bigger than $15 mil/year. I also feel that if we do extend him for big cash, he will all of a sudden complain about stiffness in his leg.

Knowing how much Sarver wants to save money, why would Amare ask for a max contract? It would just force Sarver to sell more draft picks, settle for cheaper less talented teammates, and further put us in this crappy hole we are currently in. The smart thing would be to take a smaller contract, and demand that we get better talent to surround him. The other thing he should do, is get a coach that can teach him positioning on defense.

[Frank Lee]

Everyone has their own opinion. Just as a general guideline to everyone, try to avoid targeting other posters in your posts; we all feel very strongly about the team and the players, but part of what make this community so great is that it's an open forum that allows us to express our opinions freely. So, no matter how much you want to go "WOW THAT'S INCREDIBLY STUPID AND (Please Use More Appropriate Word)!"...try to express your disagreement in another way, eh?

Won't the incredibly stupid and (Please Use More Appropriate Word) people then feel left out ???? I am not sure that is fair.
We cannot neglect the cranium-ly challenged. They fuel the fires. It takes a village to have an idiot.