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Amaré Stoudemire is ready to play as a big a role as ever when he returns from a severe ankle sprain in the next week or so.
(Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images)
Stoudemire Sets Lofty Goal
By Craig Morgan, Tribune
East Valley Tribune
Jan. 9, 2004
Suns coach Mike D'Antoni wants forward Amare Stoudemire to become a player of Kevin Garnett's stature. Stoudemire isn't satisfied with that goal.
“I envision myself to be a little better than K.G.," said Stoudemire of the Minnesota superstar.
First things first. The reigning Rookie of the Year still needs to get back on the court.
After initially targeting Tuesday, Stoudemire said Thursday that he is hoping to return next Thursday in Portland, Ore., at which point he can finally put the frustration of a severe ankle sprain and the shock over the recent Stephon Marbury trade behind him.
“As soon as I start feeling comfortable and not favoring anything I'll be back," said Stoudemire, who is still experiencing tendinitis in the ankle.
With Marbury gone, D'Antoni acknowledged that Stoudemire will become one of the two focal points of the offense along with Shawn Marion. Stoudemire was literally licking his chops Wednesday at the thought of it.
“This is what you work for in practice," he said. “I'm very excited."
But as promising as Stoudemire was last season as a 20-year-old, it's still fair to wonder just how well he will handle the pressure of being a focal point at age 21.
Last season, he was able to work his way into the offense slowly with Marbury and Marion running the show.
But Stoudemire won't have Marbury to bail him out anymore when teams focus their defensive strategies around Stoudemire.
D'Antoni said there will be no pressure.
“I think he's champing at the bit to get it," he said. “He can perform at that level."
Stoudemire agreed.
“With all I've been through in life, I don't think anything puts pressure on me any more," he said.
But life experiences don't provide a mid-range jump shot or defensive prowess, areas where Stoudemire has acknowledged he still needs work.
D'Antoni tried to deflect those thoughts by spreading the responsibilities around.
Newly acquired Antonio McDyess will play the center position at times and may help alleviate some of the focus on Stoudemire if McDyess can regain the form he displayed before he suffered a serious knee injury last season during the preseason.
But the fact remains, the Suns will play the game from the inside out and that inside position will be dominated by Stoudemire. “He's going to be highlighted," D'Antoni said. “Does that mean we're going to do it all the time? Probably not. But he's going to be a big part of it."
Whether Stoudemire can handle that role this soon will determine how quickly the Suns rise.
“I definitely think he can handle that role," Marbury said, following the trade. “Yeah, he's only 21, but Amare ain't like other 21-year-olds. He's a freak. A guy with that kind of talent is a guy who can change the way you think about a young player."
E-mail photo_|_Buy photos
Amaré Stoudemire is ready to play as a big a role as ever when he returns from a severe ankle sprain in the next week or so.
(Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images)
Stoudemire Sets Lofty Goal
By Craig Morgan, Tribune
East Valley Tribune
Jan. 9, 2004
Suns coach Mike D'Antoni wants forward Amare Stoudemire to become a player of Kevin Garnett's stature. Stoudemire isn't satisfied with that goal.
“I envision myself to be a little better than K.G.," said Stoudemire of the Minnesota superstar.
First things first. The reigning Rookie of the Year still needs to get back on the court.
After initially targeting Tuesday, Stoudemire said Thursday that he is hoping to return next Thursday in Portland, Ore., at which point he can finally put the frustration of a severe ankle sprain and the shock over the recent Stephon Marbury trade behind him.
“As soon as I start feeling comfortable and not favoring anything I'll be back," said Stoudemire, who is still experiencing tendinitis in the ankle.
With Marbury gone, D'Antoni acknowledged that Stoudemire will become one of the two focal points of the offense along with Shawn Marion. Stoudemire was literally licking his chops Wednesday at the thought of it.
“This is what you work for in practice," he said. “I'm very excited."
But as promising as Stoudemire was last season as a 20-year-old, it's still fair to wonder just how well he will handle the pressure of being a focal point at age 21.
Last season, he was able to work his way into the offense slowly with Marbury and Marion running the show.
But Stoudemire won't have Marbury to bail him out anymore when teams focus their defensive strategies around Stoudemire.
D'Antoni said there will be no pressure.
“I think he's champing at the bit to get it," he said. “He can perform at that level."
Stoudemire agreed.
“With all I've been through in life, I don't think anything puts pressure on me any more," he said.
But life experiences don't provide a mid-range jump shot or defensive prowess, areas where Stoudemire has acknowledged he still needs work.
D'Antoni tried to deflect those thoughts by spreading the responsibilities around.
Newly acquired Antonio McDyess will play the center position at times and may help alleviate some of the focus on Stoudemire if McDyess can regain the form he displayed before he suffered a serious knee injury last season during the preseason.
But the fact remains, the Suns will play the game from the inside out and that inside position will be dominated by Stoudemire. “He's going to be highlighted," D'Antoni said. “Does that mean we're going to do it all the time? Probably not. But he's going to be a big part of it."
Whether Stoudemire can handle that role this soon will determine how quickly the Suns rise.
“I definitely think he can handle that role," Marbury said, following the trade. “Yeah, he's only 21, but Amare ain't like other 21-year-olds. He's a freak. A guy with that kind of talent is a guy who can change the way you think about a young player."
I hope he just learns how to get in better position to catch the ball. I remember how easy it was for Barkley to get the ball in the paint and he was much slower....
