remember this commercial?

[playstation]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9HqUL87MTD4

"tell me i can't"

since then

- plays in every game this season, leads team in scoring
- a 20/10 season
- career highs in rebounds, ft%, and fg%
- NBA all-star and all-NBA 1st team
- top month=february=29ppg/13reb/2ast/55%fg/84%ft in 13 games
- 24/14 so far in the playoffs
- more humble than ever before

that commercial really says something. remember, amare's got a film crew trailing him this entire season. so far, they've got a hell of a story to tell.

and while it continues, this is what its produced visually (the #1 play is his best regular season play ever imo, it was JUST SICK):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9fnzEEdoRQM
but imo the longer version with music is much cooler:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=341nhHTNCGM

looking at the highlight package for this year, it really starts to put into focus for me how amazing this recovery was. the only thing i really see that's missing is the lightening quick spin move and the ridiculous 1st step off the dribble (while gaining a lot more). it's amazing that he only lost those two things (and he's not THAT much slower).

 

[Nasser22]

Of course I remember. I saw that commercial multiple times getting excited more and more for the season to start.

 

[arwillan]

i remember that commercial very well. i think amare could have made a case for most improved player, or actually more like comeback player of the century. nobody expected him to do what he has done, especially with how he played early in the year and in the preseason. now, i feel as confident as ever that he does give us the edge we need to make it to the finals.

 

[carrrnuttt]

*wipes tear from eye*

 

[kps0001]

I remember it and that highlight reel was awesome.

 

[azirish]

You should post this on the Spurs site with this question:

Do you really want to get this guy mad at you?

 

[dodie53]

mad amare = technical foul or dunk on someone's head

 

[mkapp]

I remember the commercial. Awesome highlights in those 2 videos - I guess I didnt realize what a good shot blocker Amare is

 

[slinslin]

Too bad people look at his stats 20.5ppg 9.6rpg and say it's not that impressive but fail to realize he played just 33mpg. If he played his normal 38-39mpg..it would be closer to a 25ppg 12rpg average..

And I remember so many plays that aren't in those highlights, dunk on Patterson and some other nasty blocks.

Or the reverse dunk against Washington in crunch time.

 

[azirish]

I remember the commercial. Awesome highlights in those 2 videos - I guess I didnt realize what a good shot blocker Amare is

Amare is a classic "weak side" shot blocker. He's not that tall and his arm length is only average, but he is a great leaper and is very strong. One of the reasons to get him away from Duncan on defense is that it frees him up to go after the ball.

 

[TJ]

amare is gonna play pissed today...expect someone to get posterized

 

[azirish]

amare is gonna play pissed today...expect someone to get posterized

One of the great things about the Suns is that when teams start focusing on keeping from being posterized, it opens up the whole floor.

 

[az1965]

I really hope Amare comes out and have a monster game tonight!!

 

[Steel Sun]

I really hope Amare comes out and have a monster game tonight!!

25 and 15 would be sweet!

 

[az1965]

25 and 15 would be sweet!

That I consider his "normal" game. I was thinking more like 34 and 18.

 

[elindholm]

That I consider his "normal" game. I was thinking more like 34 and 18.

45 and 25.

 

[slinslin]

100/50

 

[azirish]

100/50

And 10 assists.

Seriously, I don't think the Spurs can afford to risk Amare going off on them, so they will have to pack the paint. If the Suns can hit open shots, they could score a lot of points.

 

[BC867]

And 10 assists.

And ten blocks -- a quadruple-double. Yeah, that's the ticket.

 

[dodie53]

10 steals too

 

[PHX 32]

That's one of the reasons I can't ever give up on this team. Simply the drive of Amare is something that I think picks this team up when it's down. Guy is dedicated as hell to this team, and he is hungry for some recognition - that being a championship.