Amare says thanks in newspaper ad

[BC867]

Even if Amar'e didn't write the piece in the Republic, it was his. Good for him.

And I still say the lack of defense and rebounding is attributable to his coaches. I believe that if it had been made a priority, he would have made a better effort.

That being said, I feel that it was right to let him go. Because of his anticipated health problems over the coming years, as well as poor defense and rebounding, and more of a dependence on outside shooting.

Does he deserve to be in the Ring of Honor? Absolutely. For his offensive numbers and All Star appearances. Which has always been the Suns' priority.

Which is why he was played out of position at Center. To give the Suns a better chance of getting him into the All Star game, which was certainly a higher priority than being playoff-strong.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I look at who else is up there and could certainly see him deserving of it. We're not the Lakers, the Bulls or the Celtics. Our successes through the years, such as they have been, are routinely honored by the organization and he's had a pivotal role in much of our recent success. With players such as Connie Hawkins, Dan Majerle and Tom Chambers it would be difficult to not include Amare. Of course, it would be impossible to not include Nash when he retires.

Steve

The Hawk? One of the first high flyers ever?
Thunder Dan.... One of the grittiest and most popular players in Suns history and in the top 10 in total 3-pointers made when he retired.
Tom Chambers.... The first free-agent ever, perennial all star, and reason that AWA was built in the first place.

Amare is a great player.... But I don't think he is in the top-7 of Suns players all-time. And his impact on the Suns was never that of the people I list below.

In No particular order...
Hawk
TC
Nash
KJ
Barkley
Walter Davis
Van Arsdale
Alvin Adams


Maybe even...
Kidd
Marion
DJ

 

[elindholm]

In No particular order...
Hawk
TC
Nash
KJ
Barkley
Walter Davis
Van Arsdale
Alvin Adams

Westphal

Maybe even...
Kidd
Marion
DJ

Marion yes, Kidd I would say probably not, Johnson no chance. Johnson was with the team only three seasons.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Hawk? One of the first high flyers ever?
Thunder Dan.... One of the grittiest and most popular players in Suns history and in the top 10 in total 3-pointers made when he retired.
Tom Chambers.... The first free-agent ever, perennial all star, and reason that AWA was built in the first place.

Amare is a great player.... But I don't think he is in the top-7 of Suns players all-time. And his impact on the Suns was never that of the people I list below.

In No particular order...
Hawk
TC
Nash
KJ
Barkley
Walter Davis
Van Arsdale
Alvin Adams


Maybe even...
Kidd
Marion
DJ

Hawkins was 7 or 8 years out of college when we got him and he was never the player he could have been. He was a wonderful PR piece for the Suns and occasionally he was great but his weaknesses weren't much different that Amare's. His averages weren't much different either and he entered the NBA at the peak of his career as opposed to Amare who had quite a learning curve to deal with.

For whatever it's worth, I've followed the Suns since day one and I'd easily put Amare in the top 10. Nash, Barkley, Davis, AA, Amare and KJ would be my top 6. I'd follow that with the next group of Kidd, Chambers, Hawkins, Van Arsdale, Majerle and Westphal. And I'd start the next group with Luc Longley if I had a sense of humor.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

Class thing to do by Amare and I appreciate it as a Suns fan. Despite Amare frustrating the heck out of me he was still one of the best draft picks to ever picked by the Suns......not to mention one of the best players we have ever had.

Good luck Amare.

 

[Irish]

Considering the bad feelings in Cleveland and other cities, I think it is simple. Amare would have liked to stay in Phoenix and didn't because the Suns feared for his health. We shouldn't blame him for taking the extra money because few of us would have turned down the extra $20 million.

IMHOl, I think it is sad that Amare would not agree to the year four Option. Oddly enough Amare may have done us a favor. It feels like Amare KNOWS that he won't make it through year 5 without an incapacitating injury.

 

[cly2tw]

Considering the bad feelings in Cleveland and other cities, I think it is simple. Amare would have liked to stay in Phoenix and didn't because the Suns feared for his health. We shouldn't blame him for taking the extra money because few of us would have turned down the extra $20 million.

IMHOl, I think it is sad that Amare would not agree to the year four Option. Oddly enough Amare may have done us a favor. It feels like Amare KNOWS that he won't make it through year 5 without an incapacitating injury.

What's that for logic? Does it apply to when you buy any kind of insurance? Also, NY had other earning potentials Phoenix probably wouldn't be able to provide, just by NY being NY. So, the monetary opportunity costs are way more than it appears.

 

[AzStevenCal]

What's that for logic? Does it apply to when you buy any kind of insurance? Also, NY had other earning potentials Phoenix probably wouldn't be able to provide, just by NY being NY. So, the monetary opportunity costs are way more than it appears.

And the cost of living is a million times higher also (I'm not exaggerating, well, maybe I'm rounding up a bit). I think the guaranteed years absolutely made the difference. He has to be able to look at himself and realize how easy it is to go from playing to retired in this game. Although, I suspect the brighter lights and bigger stage also helped in this process. Amare has never been shy of the camera.

Steve

 

[chickenhead]

Hawkins is a special case. It's not like he played most of his career for another NBA team and came to Phoenix as a second act. Most consider him unfairly banished to the ABL/ABA and the Globetrotters for most of his first decade as a pro.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Hawkins is a special case. It's not like he played most of his career for another NBA team and came to Phoenix as a second act. Most consider him unfairly banished to the ABL/ABA and the Globetrotters for most of his first decade as a pro.

I agree. That's why I referred to him as a wonderful PR piece. He helped legitimize a fledgling franchise but on the whole, Amare's playing career with Phoenix was clearly superior. Say what you will about Stern, if he had been the commissioner in the 60's, Connie would most likely be one of the top 20 all-time players. As it was, his career fell well short of his youthful talent level.

Steve

 

[AfroSuns]

And the cost of living is a million times higher also (I'm not exaggerating, well, maybe I'm rounding up a bit). I think the guaranteed years absolutely made the difference. He has to be able to look at himself and realize how easy it is to go from playing to retired in this game. Although, I suspect the brighter lights and bigger stage also helped in this process. Amare has never been shy of the camera.

Steve

What an understatement!! He loved it too much.
Sometime i wonder if it is the lack of attention as a kid or it is the "look at me now after a terrible childhood" attitude. I saw the short sit down interview at the ESPY and the way Amare was posing and looking at the camera was hilarious. Either way he craves the limelight, if only he had been a Tim Duncan humble type. his game will probably have improved even better.

 

[AzStevenCal]

What an understatement!! He loved it too much.
Sometime i wonder if it is the lack of attention as a kid or it is the "look at me now after a terrible childhood" attitude. I saw the short sit down interview at the ESPY and the way Amare was posing and looking at the camera was hilarious. Either way he craves the limelight, if only he had been a Tim Duncan humble type. his game will probably have improved even better.

I'm pretty sure it's the lack of love, guidance and attention he faced growing up. I grew up in a very abusive household and it shaped me in just about every way possible. And I grew up in a Leave it to Beaver world compared to what Amare had to go through. I look past a lot of his personality quirks because honestly, I'm amazed anytime someone comes out whole from his kind of world.

Steve

 

[Irish]

When I think about our concerns about Amare's background when he joined the Suns, I think he has been a lot better person than anyone had reason to expect. Eight other teams passed on him because they felt he would self distruct.

If his only character flaw was his desire for attention, I'd say we could have done worse... much worse. At least Amare tried to get attention from due to his performance and not just for being "a character" and off the court antics. It seems like Amare used his desire for recognition as a way to motivate himself to get better. Sadly, he needed more on being known for his defense which was still a work in progress.

 

[PHX04]

i liked the page in the paper..

but i also read to DM from Amare to a SUNS fan on twitter. he called her a "Ugly B***h " a few times in a Direct Message. i was really disapointed in Amare. he lost alot of respect from me.. he was my 2nd favorite player in SUNS history.. KJ is #1 of course

 

[PHX04]

http://monwithmykael.blogspot.com/2010/07/good-or-bad-athletes-are-people-too.html

 

[AfroSuns]

i liked the page in the paper..

but i also read to DM from Amare to a SUNS fan on twitter. he called her a "Ugly B***h " a few times in a Direct Message. i was really disapointed in Amare. he lost alot of respect from me.. he was my 2nd favorite player in SUNS history.. KJ is #1 of course

Amare's reply should have been more mature, any celebrity with fans who put himself out there with twitter, facebook etc should learn to grow a thicker skin.
On the other hand that girl needs to understand one of the worst things you can say to a straight dude is call him gay.

 

[elindholm]

On the other hand that girl needs to understand one of the worst things you can say to a straight dude is call him gay.

Only if the straight dude is homophobic. Calling a straight person gay isn't an insult; it's just factually incorrect, like getting his name wrong.

 

[Errntknght]

Only if the straight dude is homophobic. Calling a straight person gay isn't an insult; it's just factually incorrect, like getting his name wrong.

This raises an interesting technical point - does the speakers intent play any role. Suppose someone calls you ugly, gay, homophobic, liberal -whatever - and they intend it to be an insult, does that make it one?

I should add that getting someone's name wrong can be an insult. Imagine how Gani would feel if he logged on here and saw how George has repeatedly butchered his name.

 

[elindholm]

This raises an interesting technical point - does the speakers intent play any role. Suppose someone calls you ugly, gay, homophobic, liberal -whatever - and they intend it to be an insult, does that make it one?

Hmm. I would say that if the label is something that has a literal definition, such as "homosexual," then the speaker's intent is irrelevant. But if it's something subjective, like "liberal," then it can matter, because most likely the speaker has in mind a meaning different from how the insult-ee would use the word.

 

[Mainstreet]

This raises an interesting technical point - does the speakers intent play any role. Suppose someone calls you ugly, gay, homophobic, liberal -whatever - and they intend it to be an insult, does that make it one?

Yes. Intent rules. Proving it may be a different matter.

I should add that getting someone's name wrong can be an insult. Imagine how Gani would feel if he logged on here and saw how George has repeatedly butchered his name.

Again intent rules. However, etiquette dictates getting a person's name right should be made a priority.

 

[leclerc]

It's probably for the money and that extra insurance plus Nash is getting older and the lights are bright on Broadway. Probably the biggest city in the world.

Good luck Amaré and thanks for all the good times!

And that goes for Leandro also (the thanks, not the reasons for leaving).

Love you guys!

GO SUNS!

 

[AfroSuns]

Only if the straight dude is homophobic. Calling a straight person gay isn't an insult; it's just factually incorrect, like getting his name wrong.

Surely you jest, there is a way you can use the gay word that it can become offensive irrespective of your tolerance.
If used in a particular context or scenario, it goes beyond a sexual orientation mis-representation, which is what you are implying here.