OT - amare question from a raps fan

[Cake Walk]

Hey sorry for cluttering your board but im just curious about how you guys perceived amare when he left as a free agent. Did he play mind games and talk ish about the city and fans like bosh did? Did you guys boo him when he came back? Will you boo him in the future? Are you pissed about the way he left?

I was always under the impression that it was an amicable split, I believe he bought a full page ad in a newspaper to thank the fans and the city ect...

just a curious question from a raps fan, you can lock this if its inappropriate

Did amare leave the wrong way or the right way. Was there a bad taste in your mouth or did he play it right and say all the right things.

Thanks in advance.

[The Crowing]

I never really had a problem with the way that Amare left. He got a lot better contract offer in New York. He would have been stupid not to take it. I doubt that the ad in the paper was something that he came up with, though. That was probably a move by one of his PR people.

It was a bad situation but I still cheer for him whenever he's not playing against Phoenix.

[Cake Walk]

I never really had a problem with the way that Amare left. He got a lot better contract offer in New York. He would have been stupid not to take it. I doubt that the ad in the paper was something that he came up with, though. That was probably a move by one of his PR people.

It was a bad situation but I still cheer for him whenever he's not playing against Phoenix.

thanks for your input,

would you say your thoughts are consistent with the fanbase overall, or is there a split half hate half love sort of thing. or are you on an island and most fans hate him?

[Miklo]

Yeah it's always a little annoying when a player leaves for a little more money but the way he did so was pretty professional. We were all pretty pissed at the time but it was more IMO about losing Amar'e than about the way he left.

How was it with you guys and Bosh?

[Cake Walk]

Yeah it's always a little annoying when a player leaves for a little more money but the way he did so was pretty professional. We were all pretty pissed at the time but it was more IMO about losing Amar'e than about the way he left.

How was it with you guys and Bosh?

Well I would say Bosh' exit was less than professional. A lot of people believe there was collusion between the miami trio. Management believes that he milked his injuries and claim that he cut off all communication with the raps during free agency. He also said really distasteful things on twitter and during interviews like "Toronto smells funny" and "I've been meaning to ask this, where should I go next year??".

I would say that he will get booed pretty hard. I have to respect Amare more because really NY was offering more money, and he was able to be the man there. Bosh took LESS money than what we were offering and went to play 3rd fiddle to bron and wade.

But I can understand about you guys being pissed amare left, he was a better player than bosh was. To a lot of Raps fans Bosh was pretty overrated.

[JasonDaPsycho]

I think you should understand the whole thing with Amar'e being FA and eventually signing with NYK:
1. There were rumors in Feb that he wanted an extension, and it's really not a ridiculous one according to reports / insiders. He was merely asking for what Carlos Boozer is making now, only with a no trade exception.
2. Management unsure of what to do with the future. We haven't started that amazing run towards the end of season yet. They panicked and attempted to trade him.
3. Of course the trades never went through. Amar'e beasted for the remainder of season. Most of us perceived that as him trying to get paid since the Suns are not committed to Amar'e.
4. FA period begins. NYK being hard pursuer of Amar'e, offering him a high risk contract of 100 million over 5 years.
5. Robert Sarver met with Amar'e, offered him a contract of 96 million over 5 years, partially guaranteed. He had to meet certain requirements (mostly related to minutes played) each season to make the entire 96 million dollars.
6. Amar'e became a Knick through a S&T, and had his contract altered to put us in a better financial situation with the TPE (I believe).
7. He had a full page of "Thank you" note on some AZ newspaper.

Actually, I'd say 70% of us understood the deal he signed with the Knicks, 30% of us kind of despised of him (inc. me) when we first heard the news.
Most of us finally accepted the idea of him gone and wish him the best in NY after that full page ad (again, inc. me).

Basically, there are a few things which defined our mindsets, at least that's true for most of us:
1. Robert Sarver had been a cheap prick all over the years. We actually believed we were going for David Lee after letting Amar'e go. Instead, we re-signed Channing Frye, signed Hakim Warrick and JChill. The hatred is directed towards Sarver instead of Amar'e for AT LEAST 80% of the time.
2. Amar'e had been very classy throughout the negotiation period and showed appreciation to the fans. At least he acted like it and that is really all I'm asking for.
3. Amar'e is still playing good after leaving the Suns, indicating that he wasn't beasting the latter half of the season for his contract.
4. Robert Sarver had never been committed to winning anyways. It's understandable Amar'e left for NY since their ownership is committed to winning big. That is assuming that he wants to win in addition to making big money.
5. Amar'e has been living in the shadows of Steve Nash.
6. No way you're gonna turn down a fully guaranteed max contract. Hell their 100 million is more than Sarver's 96 million which is only partially guaranteed anyways.

So you see, him leaving is very very justifiable.

[JasonDaPsycho]

Oh and the split between us and Amar'e is kind of a bittersweet one. We're sad to see him go but happy for him.
Raps and Chris Bosh? It's just ugly. Right up there with the Lebron fiasco without the show on ESPN.

[Dalerax]

Jason hit the nail on the head there.

[Cake Walk]

Oh and the split between us and Amar'e is kind of a bittersweet one. We're sad to see him go but happy for him.
Raps and Chris Bosh? It's just ugly. Right up there with the Lebron fiasco without the show on ESPN.

Good post above, thanks. I think its the opposite for us with Bosh, we are glad to see him leave but pissed at how we got played and got nothing back for him. Now we can tank and pick up a franchise level talent, it looks like we have a top 3-5 pick locked up with a great chance at 1 and 2.

[impulsenine]

I hate(d) him for leaving for the same reasons I hate an opponent on the basketball court - he's making my team's life difficult, but I don't hate him for what he's doing because I understand it's part of the game.

That said, he was often cited as "least-pleasant Sun to meet in person if you're a waiter." Especially after Marion vacated that title.

[JasonDaPsycho]

Jason hit the nail on the head there.

Thanks.

Oh and the split between us and Amar'e is kind of a bittersweet one. We're sad to see him go but happy for him.
Raps and Chris Bosh? It's just ugly. Right up there with the Lebron fiasco without the show on ESPN.

Good post above, thanks. I think its the opposite for us with Bosh, we are glad to see him leave but pissed at how we got played and got nothing back for him. Now we can tank and pick up a franchise level talent, it looks like we have a top 3-5 pick locked up with a great chance at 1 and 2.

I wish we're the team with a top 5 pick.

[rsavaj]

I understand his decision to leave. The only thing I'm ticked about is that he later said he left because he felt like his chance at a title was greater in New York.

That means he's an idiot.

I'm also not mad at Sarver's decision. I think he made the right one.

Our problem isn't that we let Amare go; it's that we didn't replace him. The Frye signing was a good one. The Dudley signing was a great one. The Warrick signing hasn't been a bad one. The Chilly signing was a good one in a vacuum, but coupled with the Hedo thing it didn't really make sense.

Sarver didn't really screw this one up IMO.

[RunDogGun]

I would agree with rsavaj on this one, but I will add a wrinkle. People here forget that Amare went on a nation wide tour to pump up awareness of eye protection, but it ended up with Amare telling every city that if he was on their team, he would bring them a championship. Yet when only two wins from the finals here, he rebounded terribly. He is an idiot, great finisher, a beast at times, but very dumb. Another thing people forget, is he tried to get a bunch of grade school kids to write in to Sarver to get a max deal. What man does this? so while he never said our city smells, he wasn't as professional as people remember.

[Dalerax]

Is it wrong that I'm not at all bothered by Amare's personality off the court? I guess I really don't care about it compared to how I care about Amare Stoudemire the athlete. I mean, he didn't pull a Chris Bosh / Carmelo Anthony and start talking about leaving the team well before he actually did it. I can't imagine what it would be like to know your star doesn't want to play for you while he's still in town.

[RunDogGun]

Not saying that anyone is wrong for remembering what they want to remember. I just wanted to add things that some chose to forget. I never said that Amare was as bad as others, nor was I comparing him to others. I just commented on things he did and said, that to me seemed less than professional. "People don't fear me anymore.". " I was going to check into the game." "I am really working on my defense this year.". "The WHOLE spurs team is dirty." And the list can go on and on. He also threw D'Antoni under the bus after he left town, and yet he wanted to play for him again? And once there, he says," I was never taught defense.". He is just dumb. Heck of an athlete, but dumb.

[JohnVancouver]

I understand his decision to leave. The only thing I'm ticked about is that he later said he left because he felt like his chance at a title was greater in New York.

That means he's an idiot.

I believe that comment was based on Dolan's willingness to spend and build a team. While the Sarver=Cheap stuff is inaccurate, he's also not prepared to go further than he has in terms of tax, and it's just not enough when you look at Boston, Lakers, ORL

[JasonDaPsycho]

I understand his decision to leave. The only thing I'm ticked about is that he later said he left because he felt like his chance at a title was greater in New York.

That means he's an idiot.

I believe that comment was based on Dolan's willingness to spend and build a team. While the Sarver=Cheap stuff is inaccurate, he's also not prepared to go further than he has in terms of tax, and it's just not enough when you look at Boston, Lakers, ORL

Exactly. And apparently he made the right decision, given what the Suns have done this last off-season and what they can do in this upcoming one.

[lilfishi22]

Professional and as classy as Amare could be. Amare left for more reasons than just money. He had legit concerns about the future of the franchise and he went about his business as a professional. He didn't linger and ask fans if he should resign with the Suns etc etc and just be a tease in general like certain other FA's.

Also, as JDP mentioned, Sarver basically low-balled Amare in Feb when he asked for a more than reasonable extension. I don't blame Amare for forcing Sarver to compete with NY in the dollar department to retain him. Amare gave Sarver a chance and Sarver blew it.

[Calvin Klein]

Remember when we could have signed him for 15 million per year or something? Back in february??


superfacepalm.

[thamadkant]

Professional and as classy as Amare could be. Amare left for more reasons than just money. He had legit concerns about the future of the franchise and he went about his business as a professional. He didn't linger and ask fans if he should resign with the Suns etc etc and just be a tease in general like certain other FA's.

Also, as JDP mentioned, Sarver basically low-balled Amare in Feb when he asked for a more than reasonable extension. I don't blame Amare for forcing Sarver to compete with NY in the dollar department to retain him. Amare gave Sarver a chance and Sarver blew it.

I dont agree with Sarver "blew it".

His offer was very reasonable, IF you cared about the franchise's future... meaning post-Nash... meaning 2+ seasons from now.
Many fans, and even the insurance company judged Amare's knees as "risky".

Sure he will give you 20-25ppg for the nexy 2 seasons... at 18 Million a year... fair.
Then a good chance of an UN-INSURED contract of 20+ Million being eaten by a sidelined Amare.. W/O Nash also.... it was a high risk for sure... Sarver is a business man and they HAVE to protect the business side of the team.... although I think he panicked by trading for Hedo... but glad Babby and co saved his butt by trading Hedo out.. which is win/win, since Hedo is built for Orlando.

Anyways, Sarver simply added a requirement for Stoudemire....which was play enough minutes for seasons 3+ and he'd get FULL 20 Million for each of those seasons... which WAS a GREAT business move.... simply play around 30 mins a game...

But Stoudemire/agent knew the risks.. and judged Knick's offer as the "safest" and most guaranteed contract.... Stoudemire made the decision that is best for him and family....

Stoudemire wins... but so does the Phoenix Suns.... in a way...

Stat talking about Knicks having a brighter future is easily understood... they were younger.. has more cash free.. and are going after players in their prime.. (CP3, Melo etc)..... so its more appealing than playing with Dragic, Lopez, Dudley.....(post Nash era)