Game 54: Phoenix(31-22) @ Memphis(26-25)

[dantian]

Amare has been trying to show that he can defend by blocking shots, staying in front of LBJ, grabbing crucial rebounds in closing minutes of his previous two games, as if to remind us that he will still be a beast on both sides come playoff times. Oops, I forgot that the Suns aren't interested in playoffs but want to emulate the Clippers for the next 10 years.

[LV-Suns]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJo9aDjEZDs

[chriscringle95]

TRADE him so the haters are happy!

I am not sure where to start with this comment. If we can/could get something decent for him, why wouldn't we? He isn't a leader. It is tough to build around a guy who isn't a leader. He can beast up when he wants, which makes you worry about the days he doesn't. Plus he cost this team the most money out of all of our players, and he isn't our best player. Now if he wanted this team to be successful, he should take a lower amount so we can get him some help. Also he should get someone to teach him position on defense.

I am fine with keeping him, but I am not fine with watching him make completely stupid moves and choices on the court. Isn't that why we want JRich gone?

Dude I don't think your watching the same Amare Stoudemire that I have this season. The guy is a leader and just because he has a bad game every now and then doesn't mean anything. It is the NBA. All players have bad games from time to time during the season. Nash, Dudley both have stated that they would rather see him stay than go. If you are such a bad leader or person no one is going to bat for you much less the 2 time MVP Steve Nash.

STAT has swag and confidence but he is an elite talent and it is a trait that is needed to dominate and compete at the pro level. LeBron, Kobe, Jordan, or any other great or even good player feels they are the ****!

NOW, I only wonder what you think you will be building around with either JJ Hickson or Michael Beasley vs. having Amare. He is a proven superstar and the other two are well to put it lightly projects at best. One is a mental midget(Beasley) and the other has nothing but physical talent and can't guard or score better than Amare (Hickson=Not even close).

Nash is gone after next year and Hill as well so who will be feeding Beasley or Hickson the ball? Dragic? Barbosa? Both are more scorer than point guard and aren't close to the playmaker that Nash is. Amare can help attract free agents but who is really looking forward to playing/rebuilding with Beasley or Hickson as your premier franchise player?

The truth of the matter is if you are trading anyone this season it's J Rich but that is besides the point.

Amare has already made it clear he will take less than the max but not less than his rightful market value. If Kerr and Sarver want to lowball him than too hell with them both. Sadly this appears to be the case.

Because of the dimwits in the front office the Suns will be rebuilding forever because the front office has no vision and just makes trades and roster moves based on finance. Sports is about winning not saving every dime you can at the expense of winning. If your not in it to win than SELL THE FRANCHISE!

I hope that Amare stays and he and Nash finish it out in Phoenix

[rsavaj]

I hope that Amare stays and he and Nash finish it out in Phoenix

In the end, this is what I hope for as well.

[phx#7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJo9aDjEZDs

That was awesome. Dudley should get his own FSN show. I mean the gave one to Eric Byrnes, Dudley's would atleast be intresting.

[RunDogGun]

Dude I don't think your watching the same Amare Stoudemire that I have this season. The guy is a leader and just because he has a bad game every now and then doesn't mean anything. It is the NBA. All players have bad games from time to time during the season. Nash, Dudley both have stated that they would rather see him stay than go. If you are such a bad leader or person no one is going to bat for you much less the 2 time MVP Steve Nash.

STAT has swag and confidence but he is an elite talent and it is a trait that is needed to dominate and compete at the pro level. LeBron, Kobe, Jordan, or any other great or even good player feels they are the ****!

NOW, I only wonder what you think you will be building around with either JJ Hickson or Michael Beasley vs. having Amare. He is a proven superstar and the other two are well to put it lightly projects at best. One is a mental midget(Beasley) and the other has nothing but physical talent and can't guard or score better than Amare (Hickson=Not even close).

Nash is gone after next year and Hill as well so who will be feeding Beasley or Hickson the ball? Dragic? Barbosa? Both are more scorer than point guard and aren't close to the playmaker that Nash is. Amare can help attract free agents but who is really looking forward to playing/rebuilding with Beasley or Hickson as your premier franchise player?

The truth of the matter is if you are trading anyone this season it's J Rich but that is besides the point.

Amare has already made it clear he will take less than the max but not less than his rightful market value. If Kerr and Sarver want to lowball him than too hell with them both. Sadly this appears to be the case.

Because of the dimwits in the front office the Suns will be rebuilding forever because the front office has no vision and just makes trades and roster moves based on finance. Sports is about winning not saving every dime you can at the expense of winning. If your not in it to win than SELL THE FRANCHISE!

I hope that Amare stays and he and Nash finish it out in Phoenix

Sorry, I stopped reading when you decided to interject thoughts I never had, nor stated.

Amare is not a leader, never has, probably never will. It is really not all his fault. He came out of HS already a man (physically not mentally), but never learned the game throughout. Anyone that really studies the game would know that. I never said we should build a team around anyone, I just made it clear that it wasn't Amare. Remind me again how many games Amare has lead the team to victory? Not leading in rebounds or points, but actually leading the team. Has he evr lead the team in assists? Does he continue to make the right plays throughout the game? Have you ever seen him lead the team on defense?

Amare acts like a child in his rants during the off-season, which I have been over for years now. He continues to tell us what he is doing in the off-season, yet never produces what he says. HE GAINED A FRICKIN JUMP SHOT, wow! Amazing, he had a whole year to work on it with Phil Webber, and was paid a lot of money to do. Which by the way, he waited until he signed that huge contract right before, wait for it........ he suddenly had some stiffness in his knee.

He has been fortunate to have one of the best distributors of the last decade, and one of the strongest offensive minded coaches. The guy can sure finish a play, but again, I am not impressed. Many people are all oooohs and ahhhhs over dunks, but I will take a smart play over that everyday. Many might think he just has a few bad games, but that person is just looking at the boxscore, and not the game itself. I have seen one game this year, where he aggressively went after every board he could, which was great. But one game to show all of us what he could do if he wants, does not warrant a max contract for me. In fact, it just makes me more angry about how lazy he is. Oh thank you Amare, for doing your job! You only get paid $16 million, thank you, thank you.

If this makes me a hater, so be it. I am just not going to let the possibility of greatness pull the wool over my eyes any longer. Now if he actually went out and hired coaches to teach him positioning and how to box a man out, I will change my tune. But he needs to be a complete player every night. I don't mind a few down games, but he should be putting forth effort like Lou and Dudley every night before I would ever call him a leader.

Sorry if I went off on you, but I am really tired of the Amare apologists, who can't actually watch what is going on out on the court.

[TXSun]

very content with our effort here tonight. starters looked good and the bench did its part. we need to beat DAL tomorrow!

[impulsenine]

TRADE him so the haters are happy!

I am not sure where to start with this comment. If we can/could get something decent for him, why wouldn't we?

Because Kerr will not get us something decent.

[MrVince]

Beat Dallas! Beat Dallas!

I hope Caron has a rough night along with the other guys who could potentially change the outcome of the game cause they will be a hard team to beat if they come out strong. Plus they are playing on a back-to-back so neither are at a disadvantage.

[lilfishi22]

Beating Dallas thoroughly hopefully would entice Riles to throw in a pick with Beas.

[chriscringle95]

Dude I don't think your watching the same Amare Stoudemire that I have this season. The guy is a leader and just because he has a bad game every now and then doesn't mean anything. It is the NBA. All players have bad games from time to time during the season. Nash, Dudley both have stated that they would rather see him stay than go. If you are such a bad leader or person no one is going to bat for you much less the 2 time MVP Steve Nash.

STAT has swag and confidence but he is an elite talent and it is a trait that is needed to dominate and compete at the pro level. LeBron, Kobe, Jordan, or any other great or even good player feels they are the ****!

NOW, I only wonder what you think you will be building around with either JJ Hickson or Michael Beasley vs. having Amare. He is a proven superstar and the other two are well to put it lightly projects at best. One is a mental midget(Beasley) and the other has nothing but physical talent and can't guard or score better than Amare (Hickson=Not even close).



Nash is gone after next year and Hill as well so who will be feeding Beasley or Hickson the ball? Dragic? Barbosa? Both are more scorer than point guard and aren't close to the playmaker that Nash is. Amare can help attract free agents but who is really looking forward to playing/rebuilding with Beasley or Hickson as your premier franchise player?

The truth of the matter is if you are trading anyone this season it's J Rich but that is besides the point.

Amare has already made it clear he will take less than the max but not less than his rightful market value. If Kerr and Sarver want to lowball him than too hell with them both. Sadly this appears to be the case.

Because of the dimwits in the front office the Suns will be rebuilding forever because the front office has no vision and just makes trades and roster moves based on finance. Sports is about winning not saving every dime you can at the expense of winning. If your not in it to win than SELL THE FRANCHISE!

I hope that Amare stays and he and Nash finish it out in Phoenix

Sorry, I stopped reading when you decided to interject thoughts I never had, nor stated.

Amare is not a leader, never has, probably never will. It is really not all his fault. He came out of HS already a man (physically not mentally), but never learned the game throughout. Anyone that really studies the game would know that. I never said we should build a team around anyone, I just made it clear that it wasn't Amare. Remind me again how many games Amare has lead the team to victory? Not leading in rebounds or points, but actually leading the team. Has he evr lead the team in assists? Does he continue to make the right plays throughout the game? Have you ever seen him lead the team on defense?

Amare acts like a child in his rants during the off-season, which I have been over for years now. He continues to tell us what he is doing in the off-season, yet never produces what he says. HE GAINED A FRICKIN JUMP SHOT, wow! Amazing, he had a whole year to work on it with Phil Webber, and was paid a lot of money to do. Which by the way, he waited until he signed that huge contract right before, wait for it........ he suddenly had some stiffness in his knee.

He has been fortunate to have one of the best distributors of the last decade, and one of the strongest offensive minded coaches. The guy can sure finish a play, but again, I am not impressed. Many people are all oooohs and ahhhhs over dunks, but I will take a smart play over that everyday. Many might think he just has a few bad games, but that person is just looking at the boxscore, and not the game itself. I have seen one game this year, where he aggressively went after every board he could, which was great. But one game to show all of us what he could do if he wants, does not warrant a max contract for me. In fact, it just makes me more angry about how lazy he is. Oh thank you Amare, for doing your job! You only get paid $16 million, thank you, thank you.

If this makes me a hater, so be it. I am just not going to let the possibility of greatness pull the wool over my eyes any longer. Now if he actually went out and hired coaches to teach him positioning and how to box a man out, I will change my tune. But he needs to be a complete player every night. I don't mind a few down games, but he should be putting forth effort like Lou and Dudley every night before I would ever call him a leader.

Sorry if I went off on you, but I am really tired of the Amare apologists, who can't actually watch what is going on out on the court.

I'm good, but you don't know the game nearly as well as you seem to think. Amare has improved leaps and bounds since entering the league. The thing you can't seem to grasp is that every player will have faults that are not correctable to a desirable level. Jordan didn't make enough 3's, Shaq can't make free throws and so on.

Amare will prob never be All NBA Defensive Team but what he does bring to the table is unmatched at his position in the NBA at this time. He can dominate on the offensive end and rebound when motivated with the best of them. Bosh and Dirk and Gasol are great players but if you take everyone of them at there very best and put Amare at his best it is no contest. Inside-Outside, Power or Finesse, Amare is an animal.

Amare has led the Suns plenty of times to huge wins and helped Nash as much as Nash has helped him. They complement each other and that is why they both shine so much together. Nash is not an elite athlete in that he is not a great leaper nor very fast. What he does have is a tremendous jump shot and floor game that is uncanny. Amare brings the unteachable and natural abilities to the table that make the perfect marriage between skill and athleticism.

RunDog I just think your underrating Amare quite a bit. The guy says things sometimes that come off as cocky and arrogant but he is an NBA player not a politician. He has also never had any trouble of the court and has done a ton of community work in PHX and elsewhere in spite of his harsh and trying background.

This whole trade thing is only a salary dump and stinks to high heaven because even Nash, Dudley and Gentry are saying keep the guy. I would much rather have Amare until at least Nash's contract is up vs. any trade any team is proposing.

If all the guys they are trying to give the Suns are so great then why is every team these guys play for outside of Cleveland on the brink/out of the playoffs in the EASTERN CONFERENCE!?

And please define smart play for me? LOL

I would prefer the guy with the ball in his hands get buckets and help his team win than the cerebral and passive types. Hickson does not equal cerebral nor does Beasley. Iguodala can be smart as a whip and I like him as a player, but he is not franchise material and can't make a jump shot on a regular basis. If he was so great the SIxers wouldn't be trying to trade him and they wouldn't be on the outside looking in on the weak Eastern Conference playoff picture.

WIth all that said, what is you grand plan for the Suns post STAT?

What deal is going to set this franchise right with an ownership group that puts money ahead of winning?

REMEMBER: The future CBA agreement will influence things more than any on the court issues and Sarver is not going to lose money on his investment if he has a say so (And he def does). Therefore winning is not the priority.(Except for a few franchises in the league at this point).

The Suns are not one of these franchises it appears by trading away a major player for nothing.

And yes, you are a STAT hater it appears

[Suns_RoadRunner]

I was at the game last night and i really didn't expect the suns to win that easily. Rolo and JRich played great. I also got an autograph from Dudley before we left.

[RaisingArizona]

I was at the game last night and i really didn't expect the suns to win that easily. Rolo and JRich played great. I also got an autograph from Dudley before we left.

Lucky. Duds seem like he'd be awesome to meet.

[RunDogGun]

I'm good, but you don't know the game nearly as well as you seem to think. Amare has improved leaps and bounds since entering the league. The thing you can't seem to grasp is that every player will have faults that are not correctable to a desirable level. Jordan didn't make enough 3's, Shaq can't make free throws and so on.

Amare will prob never be All NBA Defensive Team but what he does bring to the table is unmatched at his position in the NBA at this time. He can dominate on the offensive end and rebound when motivated with the best of them. Bosh and Dirk and Gasol are great players but if you take everyone of them at there very best and put Amare at his best it is no contest. Inside-Outside, Power or Finesse, Amare is an animal.

Amare has led the Suns plenty of times to huge wins and helped Nash as much as Nash has helped him. They complement each other and that is why they both shine so much together. Nash is not an elite athlete in that he is not a great leaper nor very fast. What he does have is a tremendous jump shot and floor game that is uncanny. Amare brings the unteachable and natural abilities to the table that make the perfect marriage between skill and athleticism.

RunDog I just think your underrating Amare quite a bit. The guy says things sometimes that come off as cocky and arrogant but he is an NBA player not a politician. He has also never had any trouble of the court and has done a ton of community work in PHX and elsewhere in spite of his harsh and trying background.

This whole trade thing is only a salary dump and stinks to high heaven because even Nash, Dudley and Gentry are saying keep the guy. I would much rather have Amare until at least Nash's contract is up vs. any trade any team is proposing.

If all the guys they are trying to give the Suns are so great then why is every team these guys play for outside of Cleveland on the brink/out of the playoffs in the EASTERN CONFERENCE!?

And please define smart play for me? LOL

I would prefer the guy with the ball in his hands get buckets and help his team win than the cerebral and passive types. Hickson does not equal cerebral nor does Beasley. Iguodala can be smart as a whip and I like him as a player, but he is not franchise material and can't make a jump shot on a regular basis. If he was so great the SIxers wouldn't be trying to trade him and they wouldn't be on the outside looking in on the weak Eastern Conference playoff picture.

WIth all that said, what is you grand plan for the Suns post STAT?

What deal is going to set this franchise right with an ownership group that puts money ahead of winning?

REMEMBER: The future CBA agreement will influence things more than any on the court issues and Sarver is not going to lose money on his investment if he has a say so (And he def does). Therefore winning is not the priority.(Except for a few franchises in the league at this point).

The Suns are not one of these franchises it appears by trading away a major player for nothing.

And yes, you are a STAT hater it appears

Wow, take off the Amare colored glasses, and put down the Amare koolaid. Just saying he has lead the team "plenty" of times does not make your point at all. "Perfect marriage between skill and athleticism"? Now I know that there really isn't any arguing to be done anymore. You won't be swayed even by what you see right in front of you. But I'll provide some facts so you can remember this so called leader:

SA vs Suns in the last few mins of the game (playoff game mind you, where a leader should emerge at his best), the Suns give the ball to your so-called leader to give us the win. Shaq makes his move to the low block, while Amare buries his head to drive from the freethrow line. Wanting to be the "perfect marriage between skill and athleticism" Amare drives over a much smarter KT, who actually knows Amare and his moves, and Amare collects his sixth foul, and has to sit on the bench. All he had to do was lift his head and see an open 7'2" 330 lbs guy under the basket and make the pass.

Against SA again, he watches his man Oberto screen out a running LB, who was chasing down Finley. Now does he yell out screen? Does he yell out switch? Does he do anything? NO! He just stands there, watches Finley run right by him, and hit the three for the win. Plain and simple, he is just lazy, and not very smart, and it really doesn't take a basketball genius to figure this out.

As far as the Suns plans:

Who the F*** knows. I wish we could have spent our money wiser early on, so we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. I wish Mike was never our GM, making two-four huge mistakes. One was not checking Boris out through a physical before signing that big contract, not knowing whether he and Amare could co-exist on the floor. Two, passing on young pgs only to over spend on Banks, and to top it off, never playing the guy he chose to over spend on. Three not making correct substitutions at key moments in the SA games, and not using KT to the best of his abilities. But then all of a sudden, wanting Shaq, who would be much slower than KT in our offense, and doesn't spread the floor like KT did (great 10-12 ft shooter.)

Signing Amare will just push Sarver farther down this cost cutting spiral that we've been in for years. Unless we can get him to sign a $12 million contract, which we all know his ego won't allow.

My point was, and still is: Amare is not a leader, not even close. Without Nash, Amare would lead this team nowhere. Now Nash without Amare can lead this team to 54 wins, and a Western Conference Finals. And before you go citing Amare without Nash going to the playoffs, you have to remember the Marbury, while being a tool, still lead the league in assists while playing with Amare. Amare is a great Robin, but never a Batman. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Well you get the picture.

Amare is a great assisted finisher, but that is it. He isn't smart enough to be anything more, unless he decides to get the coaches he would need to improve. And he hasn't grown "leaps and bounds" at all. He was an athletic freak, that is now afraid to bang and lose his money. He does what he has to do to get by, and without Nash drawing in defenders and making awesome passes, he would just be an average PF (post surgery.) Now if he never had those injuries (he might not have worked on his jumpshot though), and had gone to at least one year in college to learn proper defensive stance and positioning, who knows, we might have seen a great player.

As for everything else you stated, well I just call them like I see them.

By the way, how many times have you seen Amare switch out on the pick and roll, turn and either cut Nash off (basically a moving screen on his own man) letting the pg drive right to the basket, or just completely leave a guy wide open for the jumper? "Perfect" my arse!

[RunDogGun]

The funny part is, I have three Amare, one Nash, and one Marion jersey, and it turns out I am an Amare hater. Go figure. Well to be fair, the Amare jerseys were before he changed his number.

[Suns_RoadRunner]

I was at the game last night and i really didn't expect the suns to win that easily. Rolo and JRich played great. I also got an autograph from Dudley before we left.

Lucky. Duds seem like he'd be awesome to meet.

Yeah he was really friendly. It was pretty weird how i seen him though. He was being escorted by a guard up by the concession stands after everybody had left. I was suprised because usually the players stay down by the court.

[PHXfan85]

Duds just can't deny himself some stadium food. Mmmm delicious.

[NapoleonII]

Wow, take off the Amare colored glasses, and put down the Amare koolaid. Just saying he has lead the team "plenty" of times does not make your point at all.

And then you proceed to provide only a few examples where Amare has made mistakes and thus Amare is the reason for the Sun's woes?

Amare is a great assisted finisher, but that is it.

We're not "apologists". We just see talent, and we also see what this FRANCHISE has been through. Amare HAS achieved a lot, in the face of all of this:

-a successful come back from MICROSURGERY (with a jumpshot and smarter offensive game.)
-firing D'antoni
-hiring TERRY PORTER,
-loss of Kurt Thomas, who was perfect next to Amare.
-playing undersized at center,
-integrated SHAQ next to him in the fastest offense in the league
-fired Terry Porter,
-got rid of Shaq, and now back to SSOL.

Amare has done a lot. He's young, a great character, and I want to see him carry this franchise.

The Suns don't lose because of Amare, they lose because we don't have the defensive talent around him to do anything in the playoffs.

Amare is lazy, doesn't rebound well, and picks up fouls. But he ALWAYS turns it up in the playoffs, look at the numbers. He's the perfect compliment to Nash. But AFTER NASH, Amare will be the guy you can give the ball, and say score 25 and get to the line. Players like this aren't a dime a dozen. Call them closers, finishers, or franchise players, but Amare IS an elite offensive player, and we're trading him for "financial flexibility". Plain (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

[RunDogGun]

Wow, take off the Amare colored glasses, and put down the Amare koolaid. Just saying he has lead the team "plenty" of times does not make your point at all.

And then you proceed to provide only a few examples where Amare has made mistakes and thus Amare is the reason for the Sun's woes?

Amare is a great assisted finisher, but that is it.

We're not "apologists". We just see talent, and we also see what this FRANCHISE has been through. Amare HAS achieved a lot, in the face of all of this:

-a successful come back from MICROSURGERY (with a jumpshot and smarter offensive game.)
-firing D'antoni
-hiring TERRY PORTER,
-loss of Kurt Thomas, who was perfect next to Amare.
-playing undersized at center,
-integrated SHAQ next to him in the fastest offense in the league
-fired Terry Porter,
-got rid of Shaq, and now back to SSOL.

Amare has done a lot. He's young, a great character, and I want to see him carry this franchise.

The Suns don't lose because of Amare, they lose because we don't have the defensive talent around him to do anything in the playoffs.

Amare is lazy, doesn't rebound well, and picks up fouls. But he ALWAYS turns it up in the playoffs, look at the numbers. He's the perfect compliment to Nash. But AFTER NASH, Amare will be the guy you can give the ball, and say score 25 and get to the line. Players like this aren't a dime a dozen. Call them closers, finishers, or franchise players, but Amare IS an elite offensive player, and we're trading him for "financial flexibility". Plain (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

When did I say he is the cause of our problems. Okay people, stop trying to read between the lines, and stop trying to put words or thoughts into your posts to argue against. I never said them!

Here is my point, for the third time. AMARE IS NOT A LEADER! Do I need to repeat it for anyone? He is a great kid, and I am glad for what he has done for the Suns. But I am not going to give him a shinny star for doing his job half arse. I don't see the point.

Most every player goes through coaching changes and many through injuries. Amare has done a great job at that, but the dude gets paid $16 million a year, and now wants $20 million? Plus he has shown that when he wants, he can beast it up. So now we have to wait for the games where he beasts it up, and we should be happy for that? Give me a break! So far, what is best for the Suns, is effort, not the potential of talent.

And please define talent? Is he a good passer? Does he constantly make good choices out of the post? Does he still turn his head when shots go up, while not boxing out his man? Does he still allow his man great position to out rebound him? He can dunk the ball with great force, and has a decent outside shot. It makes him a good player, but not a great player, and surely not a leader. Now he could learn this through strong coaches and extra effort, but he doesn't want to. He makes his money from great dunks, that he receives from a two time MVP.

Listing all of what he has gone through only proves my point about my terms "Amare apologists". KJ went through micro, and I never read that we should give him props from coming back from it. We gave him props for leading this team, something Amare could never do.

Now am I happy that we are going to get squat for him? Hell no! But that is on our FO not me. Will he make a good player on a team with an established leader? I think so. Will he ever be a HOFer? Doubt it.

[RunDogGun]

Oh, and if I have to watch Amare roll the wrong way on a PnR one more time, I will march down to USAirways and kick him in the vaj. How hard is it to roll the shoulder that your man passes? Don't they teach you that in HS?