Amare's return

[az1965]

By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
March 1, 2006

Speaking of the Kings, many comparisons have been made recently of Amare Stoudemire's impending return to the Phoenix Suns' lineup to Chris Webber's return to Sacramento following knee surgery in the 2003-04 season. At the time of Webber's return, the Kings – like the Suns now – were rolling along, winning games and anticipating that their star's return would boost their championship hopes.

For the Kings, however, it didn't work out that way. Webber's knee was slow to come around, his conditioning was poor after the long layoff and the team didn't have enough time to assimilate him into the lineup. The Kings lost their momentum, finished the season poorly and lost in the second round of the playoffs.
Understandably, the Suns' coaching staff is nervous about Stoudemire's return. Of course, they want him back – he's one of the most talented players in the league – but to work him into the equation at this late point in the season (particularly with the team playing so well) will be difficult to manage.
Stoudemire needs the ball and expects it. Will his presence alter the play of Boris Diaw, who has been terrific for Phoenix? Will the Suns lose the groove they've spent five months building?
Keep in mind that the team has eight players who have never played with Stoudemire before. When Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls in March of 1995 after his brief retirement, most of us on that team had never played with him before. We spent the next six weeks trying to figure out how to play with him, but it didn't work out very well. We lost in the second round of the playoffs to Orlando. Phoenix is in great position to win the Pacific Division and advance in the playoffs with a favorable draw, but blending Stoudemire into the lineup will be tougher than one might expect.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AuY6anZRzE.bQxHoPt9ODDy8vLYF?slug=sk-notebook030106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

[carey]

He has a point.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't understand why these guys that write for such exposed outlets don't use common sense. Chris Webber's knee surgery was debilitating to an alarming degree--his injury was much worse than Stoudemire's.

From all reports, Amare has been traveling with the team since December, and practicing with them since mid-February. I think for the very reason Kerr says he shouldn't be brought back--to get his teammates used to him. Most of us on this board believe he will be back in a couple weeks--that's a couple weeks of full practices with the team, and a much better chance of being integrated into the team seemlessly.

Never say never, but I have a little bit more optimism about Amare than Webber, whose knee was a mess.

 

[elindholm]

He has a point.

Yeah, on the TOP OF HIS HEAD!

Oh, wait, sorry, thought I was someone else. Yeah, he has a point. I'm more worried about Stoudemire re-injuring himself than I am that Diaw might not get so many touches, but I suppose they are both areas of concern.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I don't understand why these guys that write for such exposed outlets don't use common sense. Chris Webber's knee surgery was debilitating to an alarming degree--his injury was much worse than Stoudemire's.

From all reports, Amare has been traveling with the team since December, and practicing with them since mid-February. I think for the very reason Kerr says he shouldn't be brought back--to get his teammates used to him. Most of us on this board believe he will be back in a couple weeks--that's a couple weeks of full practices with the team, and a much better chance of being integrated into the team seemlessly.

Never say never, but I have a little bit more optimism about Amare than Webber, whose knee was a mess.

i think you're missing the point here chap. he never really compared the physical abilities of the two. and he never said that amare shouldn't be brought back. he's just saying that everyone should expect a period of readjustment, which is definitely going to happen. he hasn't been "practicing" with the team since mid-feb. to do that he'd have to have full clearance which he didn't have. and as much as practice is nice, game situations are COMPLETELY different. it'll not only take a while for amare to get completely comfortable on the court, but also a while for him to get back to game speed, and THEN, and ONLY then can we know how his presence will affect the team's chemistry, and even then it'll take some time to gel. that, along with KT's injury are the main reasons i'm tempering my enthusiasm for a deep run into the playoffs. i am, however, ecstatic about next year's prospects (barring any further catastrophic injuries).

 

[Chaplin]

Ouchie, you're right, but I don't think comparing the situations works because IIRC, Webber never traveled with the team (I could be totally wrong on that), and his knee was never 100% when he came back, so I also wonder how much time he had practicing with the team as well.

Also, Chris Webber is no Amare Stoudemire. Chris Webber had a very bad knee, even after the surgery, and he still thought he was the man, when he very clearly was not. Amare, however, is waiting until he is 100%, and since the injury was not nearly as debilitating, his chances of actually backing up claims of him being "the man" are better.

That's not to say we won't have any problems. I just think mentally, Amare is more prepared to integrate into the team than Chris Webber ever was.

 

[Charles V]

Jordan? Webber? Neither of those analogies are appropriate when talking about Amare's return. Sure, there will be a transition period when Amare returns...but I dont see that as a bad thing.

There is no way that Amare will bring the Suns down.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

How do you guys actually read articles written by Kerr? I pass them over almost as fast as I pass over Hoopsworld stuff

 

[devilalum]

No 2 situations are alike.

Maybe Amare can start out by fulfilling a needed role then ease into bigger things.

If Amare could just assume the role KT was fulfilling the Suns might win it all. Even an 80% Amare could fill the KT role better than KT himself.

If he comes back and they try to run the whole show through the pick and roll like last year the train might derail.

 

[Chaplin]

How do you guys actually read articles written by Kerr? I pass them over almost as fast as I pass over Hoopsworld stuff

Come on, Andy, anything that mentions the Suns is post worthy! Didn't you know that?

Of course, since Steve Kerr has partial ownership, you just know every article he writes about us will be slamming...

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Yeah, on the TOP OF HIS HEAD!

Oh, wait, sorry, thought I was someone else. Yeah, he has a point. I'm more worried about Stoudemire re-injuring himself than I am that Diaw might not get so many touches, but I suppose they are both areas of concern.

Wow great post! I like the fire looks like Im rubbing off on you

This is our next fing GM? Sounds like another Danny Ainge...duh duh im danny ainge im so creative so wacky and intellegent I out think myself all the time.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Kerr is a fool. Amare altering the play of Diaw? If anything, I think that having Amare back would make Diaw better. Diaw and Amare will be playing in lineups together to end the year, and possibly in the playoffs. I don't think that this is too bad of a lineup anyway, because with Marion, Bell, and Diaw, we have three above average defenders. Nash has also played really good team defense this year.

I am trying to decide who deserves the MVP more, Nash or Marion. Trix is our only inside threat, and he rebounds and scores like Amare at his best last year. Plus he plays shut down defense, and single handedly wears down teams while never tiring. The train keeps on rolling, hopefully this patchwork group can at least make it interesting. I mean it is hilarious seeing Nash and Marion surrounded by Pat Burke, Eddie House and James Jones early against the Bucks, and still beating them easily. Against most teams, the Suns should be able to find ways to win, like they've had all year. It appears that they are circling the wagons right now, with the cavalry on the way...hopefully.

 

[George O'Brien]

Thank god Steve Kerr isn't going to become the Suns GM.

The Webber analogy has been dealt with, but I thought I'd go back and look at the Jordan example.

1. The Bulls weren't that great that season. They only won 47 games and finished third in their division, 5 games out. Their defense permitted opponents to shoot 45.7%

2. The Bulls won 12 of the 17 regular season games he played in.

3. Jordan wasn't his usual self. He scored a lot, but shot only 41.1%.

4. They lost in the playoffs to the Orlando Magic in six games. Yes, but that was a pretty good team: Shaq O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Dennis Scott, and Horace Grant -- all when they they were young and good. (Orlando lost in the finals to Hakeem and the Rockets).

It wasn't chemistry that hurt the Bulls, it was Jordan and the quality of the competition.

 

[slinslin]

Steve Kerr has a history of writing stupid articles. His preseason predictions and all that stuff was so far off...

Also he seems to identify himself more with the Spurs than the Suns still, we can only hope he doesn't become our GM anytime soon.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Jordan? Webber? Neither of those analogies are appropriate when talking about Amare's return. Sure, there will be a transition period when Amare returns...but I dont see that as a bad thing.

There is no way that Amare will bring the Suns down.

The analogies are off. Webber and Jordan are both players that dominate the ball in whatever schemes they play. They had a wide variety of moves and would pass the ball. They also played in much more difficult offenses.

With Amare, its much simpler. Pass him the ball, and get out of the way. Because when he gets the ball he's going to the rim.

The defensive adjustments may be a little more difficult, but even there the Suns play a pretty straightforward defense.

Will Amare be patient enough to be brought back slowly once he's cleared to play.

 

[slinslin]

Webber was also a cancer to that team before he even got injured. Anyone need some soulfood? Michael Jordan came out of a 2 year retirement. Amare also did play with all these guys before, Amare had pretty much the entire training camp before he got injured and most importantly he played with Nash and Marion before which is all that really matters.

 

[George O'Brien]

and most importantly he played with Nash and Marion before which is all that really matters.

 

[mribnik]

I think what Kerr fails to realize is the difference between Steve Nash and Mike Bibby. I believe that with Steve Nash as the point guard, it's much easier to work a player into the lineup. This is exactly why we started out so well last year, with Q and Nash being new, IMO.

 

[carrrnuttt]

I think what Kerr fails to realize is the difference between Steve Nash and Mike Bibby. I believe that with Steve Nash as the point guard, it's much easier to work a player into the lineup. This is exactly why we started out so well last year, with Q and Nash being new, IMO.

Not to mention the new players THIS year.

 

[golfcardfan]

Its kinds of a stupid comparison period. The suns do not run a set offense or timing offense its a very free flowing offense. If your open Nash will find you and you shoot its not like we have a bunch of offesive sets we have to bet back into timing like the Kings had with webber. As long as Amares' cardio condition is good we will be fine will be very smooth transition to have him back. I can't wait to see this team with Amare on the floor!!!!!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Ouchie, you're right, but I don't think comparing the situations works because IIRC, Webber never traveled with the team (I could be totally wrong on that), and his knee was never 100% when he came back, so I also wonder how much time he had practicing with the team as well.

Also, Chris Webber is no Amare Stoudemire. Chris Webber had a very bad knee, even after the surgery, and he still thought he was the man, when he very clearly was not. Amare, however, is waiting until he is 100%, and since the injury was not nearly as debilitating, his chances of actually backing up claims of him being "the man" are better.

That's not to say we won't have any problems. I just think mentally, Amare is more prepared to integrate into the team than Chris Webber ever was.

yeah, i would agree with all that.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

No 2 situations are alike.

Maybe Amare can start out by fulfilling a needed role then ease into bigger things.

If Amare could just assume the role KT was fulfilling the Suns might win it all. Even an 80% Amare could fill the KT role better than KT himself.

If he comes back and they try to run the whole show through the pick and roll like last year the train might derail.

as much as i love amare, i don't think his ego would allow that. he'll need to be the man. it's who he is. and i actually like that for the future of this franchise.

 

[boisesuns]

I wonder if we are going to hear an official return date soon.

 

[George O'Brien]

The notion that Amare will be disruptive is that it misses how he was used last season. Last season, the Suns ran down court and got into position to take early offense shots. Amare would either score as a trailer or late in the offense as part of the pick and roll.

With Webber, the Kings offense had to wait for him to walk down court and got upset if they took early offense shots.

Knowing that the Suns can run the pick and roll will alter a lot on both sides of the ball.

1. Knowing the Suns can run an almost impossibly to stop play will reduce the feeling that it is necessary to shoot contested three pointers.

2. Defenders will no longer be able to press the wings for fear of Amare going unmolested to the basket.

3. Setting Amare at the elbow will force opponents to come out because of his improved jump shot, which will open up lanes to the basket for Marion.

4. Having a second passer in Diaw will make it harder for teams to set their defense and make them even more worried about cutters to the basket.

Last season Amare did fine even though Q took a lot of poor decision shots. This season the Suns are more team oriented so the only risk is that they will be too inclined to give up their opportunities.

 

[mribnik]

A few days ago we saw a video of Amare playing 2 on 2. Afterwards he gave an interview and some posters here were a little worried about his knee not feeling comfortable. Here's a segment from an article about Tim Thomas in the tribune that'll make you feel better!

AMARÉ CRANKS IT UP

Stoudemire had his strongest and most confident practice yet on Thursday, moving well on defense, flying in for two-handed hammer dunks with ease and working for well over an hour in drills and one-on-one games with Diaw.

The Suns insist they won’t rush him and probably won’t need to with the addition of Thomas. He still needs to prove he can move well horizontally on defense and build up his cardiovascular capabilities. But Thursday, Stoudemire spoke with the growing confidence of a player who is now counting the days until he makes his return sometime this month.

“I’m getting better physically and mentally. The knee is strong and you just have to trust that,” he said. Stoudemire said he often thinks, “Should I dunk on this guy or take another dribble and just lay it up? But my game is to dunk on them and that’s what I’m going to do until I retire.

Edit: my apologies..
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=60317