Amare on Trade Blocks?

[AZ Shocker]

Is anyone from the Suns organization in Amare's corner these days? It seems the kid is getting absolutely no love. Is it possible the Suns are trying to piss him off to get him to demand a trade?

Amare's getting very impatient even only 3 games into the season. His body language last night said it all. Is it possible that D'Antonni and Steve Nash wanna move on and get away from STAT. If so....why? Are they so certain he will never become the player he was? Have they given up? Or are they simply being extra careful not to rush him? Are they thinking long term for next year and years after? Or have they resigned to the high possibility that STAT is done as a NBA all-star?

My thoughts are that if they are "saving" STAT for later this year and beyond...then they need to really be showing some more confidence in Amare. Quit saying things like "It's all up to him", and "Well we're a different team now....Amare will have to re-prove himself", and "He hasn't bonded with the guys yet".

Since they are saying that...I gotta think either Amare is not healthy and the prognosis isn't too good, or Amares' attitude isn't in the place the Suns hoped it would be. Cuz right now...it's obvious Coach D'Antonni and Steve Nash are not "feeling" Amare.

I mean I get the message the Suns are sending to Amare, but the so-called positive reinforcement seems akwardly directed. Are they sure they wanna force it? How 'bout just play Amare 20-25 minutes the next 10 games and see how Amare reacts to his less than All-Star performance. The young man will either see it or not. He'll know if he still has it or not and will either work his ass off to get right, or come to realize his role in the NBA is a lot different post surgery. Hopefully...there's still "hope" within the Suns organization.

 

[pokerface]

Sounds like you're more impatient with Amare than with the Suns. Not sure what you want them to do.

Besides, Amare has been up and down in his own mind....he doesnt even know how ready his is half the time. Somes days he's 110% other days he wonders if his career is finished. How are the Suns supposed to respond to that other than saying "when he's ready he's ready".

 

[pokerface]

Also, where are you getting that Amare is on the trade blocks??

 

[hawaiiansun]

I sure as hell hope not. I love Amare and it would be terrible for him to be traded. You are basing this on pure speculation right, because I dont want the beast to go anywhere.

 

[Kolo]

I highly doubt Amare's on "Trade Blocks," Borat.

 

[HooverDam]

I highly doubt Amare's on "Trade Blocks," Borat.

Amare carries Gypsy Tears around his neck to make sure no further injure.

 

[cly2tw]

It must have been a boring day in the Valley?

 

[Mainstreet]

Here's the way I view it. While Amare was out injured the Suns evolved as a as a group of interdependent players that played very well together. Now I see Amare's return upsetting this chemistry.

Why? Because I think Amare needs to be the focus on offense if the Suns are going to be effective playing him. However, D'Antoni seems to want to keep the new team concept that does not have Amare as the focal point on offense.

I don't know the answer, however, I don't think the Suns can play two different styles nor is D'Antoni inclined to do so. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out... but I don't think it will be pretty (if ever) until later in the season.

I can see Amare and D'Antoni having a philosophical difference as to how the game should be played. IMO, the only thing that can change D'Antoni's mind is that Amare return to pre-injury form and absolutely dominate the game like he did pre-injury. Then I don't think D'Antoni can ignore what would become the obvious and he would have to feed him the ball.

I'm not sure if Amare can change his game and be effective.

 

[elindholm]

I think Stoudemire was adequately involved in the offense. He played 17 minutes and got five shot attempts, missing twice and going to the line the other three times. If the Suns had somewhere around 25 possessions when he was on the floor, he took the shot in 1/5 of those possessions. That fraction would be greater if he were playing at an All-Star level, but it's not like he's being frozen out.

 

[Nashfan]

I really think Amare is just fine if they would just get him the da# ball once in a while. I mean he is running the court and they are passing the ball around to everyone except him. He has to touch the ball at least to be effective. I also think they need to play a lineup of Amare, Kurt, Marion, Nash and Raja some of the time. Then maybe we would not be beat on the boards so badly. I mean Amare got five rebounds in limited time last night so it is not like he is not trying. I would be mad if I was him also as he seemed to display last night on the bench because it seems no one on the team wants to pass the ball to him. He doesn't have to be the main option but at least let the man touch the ball!

 

[Mainstreet]

I think Stoudemire was adequately involved in the offense. He played 17 minutes and got five shot attempts, missing twice and going to the line the other three times. If the Suns had somewhere around 25 possessions when he was on the floor, he took the shot in 1/5 of those possessions. That fraction would be greater if he were playing at an All-Star level, but it's not like he's being frozen out.

All I'm saying Eric, is that I think Amare needs to have the offense focused around him to be the most effective. I just do not see Amare being a Shawn Marion type player. Amare needs to have plays called for him. Maybe he's not 100% healthy but I think the Suns need to feed him the ball to get him to the next level. If not, I don't think Amare is going to be content just being a complimentary player. Except for one game when Nash passed Amare the ball rolling to the hoop, did I see the type plays called to get Amare untracked.

IMO, I just see Amare as wanting and needing the offense to be focused around him... while the Suns try to resurrect their chemistry of last year. It's not so much as how many minutes Amare gets but how the offense is focused.

 

[nowagimp]

I really think Amare is just fine if they would just get him the da# ball once in a while. I mean he is running the court and they are passing the ball around to everyone except him. He has to touch the ball at least to be effective. I also think they need to play a lineup of Amare, Kurt, Marion, Nash and Raja some of the time. Then maybe we would not be beat on the boards so badly. I mean Amare got five rebounds in limited time last night so it is not like he is not trying. I would be mad if I was him also as he seemed to display last night on the bench because it seems no one on the team wants to pass the ball to him. He doesn't have to be the main option but at least let the man touch the ball!

Amare will be more a part of the passing game as the rotations stabilize, he gets into shape. Right now he's pressing a bit, and passes that go to Amare dont come back as much as they should, hence guys are more reluctant to pass to him. Amare will be getting his in the flow of the game as he focuses more on the team and less on his much publicized return. Almost no player has to explain his performance every week/day, but the media see a story in Amare. I do like his improved positioning on defense and his increased consistency of help defense, rebounding. I expect that Amare has to adapt to the team more than the team to Amare, so its on him. He also cannot play starters minutes every night, he's coming back from a serious injury. He's gonna be upset not playing more, but thats just Amares inability to control his desire to contribute, its not such a bad thing. When he gets his strength back later in the season, that same desire will come in handy.

 

[elindholm]

Right now he can't reliably deliver when given the opportunity. He is getting the touches he deserves. The team can't afford to start catering to the ego of their hobbled backup center. When he starts to play better, everything will take care of itself.

 

[Errntknght]

If Amare isn't ready to run the P&R with Nash they way they used to, I can see why he isn't getting the touches. There is some evidence that is the case because the few times they've started a play with Amare setting the high pick, he has taken a looping path toward the hoop rather than the direct one he took before.

 

[pokerface]

I think Amare is a talented player. He has natural talent plus a good work ethic. He should be able to evolve into a solid all around player. If all his athletism doesnt return he can still compensate in other areas.


Having said that its still too early to judge how healthy he will end up. A year post microfracture doesnt tell all.