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Stoudemire In Barkley-Like Streak
By Steven Koek, Suns.com
Posted: March 5, 2004
As the Suns' organization approaches the Charles Barkley Ring of Honor induction ceremony on March 20, Amaré Stoudemire is approaching a couple of Sir Charles’ consecutive game scoring records.
If Stoudemire leads the Suns in scoring against the Spurs at America West Arena Saturday night (7 p.m.), he would become the first Suns player to do so in 11 straight games since Barkley did it nine years ago this month. In topping the 20-point mark in each of those games, Stoudemire is also the first Suns player with a streak of 10 games over 20 points since the Round Mound of Rebound had two such streaks in 1995-96.
That would be impressive enough for the second-year forward if it stopped there. But, as all who have observed him over the past two seasons know, there is no stopping Stoudemire. With point totals of 33 and 32 the last two games, “STAT” could become the first Suns frontcourt player to have three consecutive games over 30 points since (who else?) Barkley in the 1995-96 season and the first overall since Stephon Marbury’s four in a row last year.
“My post game now is legit,” said Stoudemire in explaining his recent surge. “I’m demanding the double-teams, so that leaves the perimeter guys open and if they rotate back out to them, then I take it back down for an easy shot. We’re working inside-out and we’re doing a pretty good job at it.”
After earning Rookie-of-the-Year honors last season, the school of thought was that if the Florida native could learn how to play out of double teams and develop a mid-range jumper, he would be unguardable. While no one is picking out headshots to use for his Ring of Honor ceremony yet, he is showing major strides in both areas and is well on his way to becoming an unstoppable force in the post.
“He’s letting the play come to him,” said Head Coach Mike D’Antoni. “He’s not forcing it. He’s reading what’s there and he attacks when there’s a weakness, and he's passing the ball when they’re loaded up. He’ll continue to do that. That’s part of his development. He wants to learn and that’s the key. His attitude is super and he just keeps getting better.”
Stoudemire missed most of the summer recovering from offseason toe surgery and sat out 27 games this season due to a sprained ankle. But since returning to the lineup in early February, he has been performing at an All-Star level.
“The main difference in my game is being more relaxed out there,” he said. “I know the double teams are probable going to come. If not, then it’s either a basket or a foul. We’re doing a great job of spreading the court and knocking down open jumpers.”
With the Suns out of the playoff race after a season of change and adjustment, Stoudemire is looking to use the remainder of the schedule to build on what he hopes will be a long and successful career on a team with a promising future ahead.
“We’ve just got to study the game as a whole and get better,” he said. “We know we’re not going to make it to the playoffs but we can leave the season with a pretty good stretch and feeling good about ourselves, and come back next year with a lot of confidence.
“Right now, the chemistry is starting to get right. It’s been up and down the whole season with the trades and a lot of different things going on, but now we understand that this is our core team and we’ve got to learn from it.”
Valley fans aren’t the only ones taking notice of Stoudemire’s impressive run. He edged out the Kings’ Mike Bibby for Nikebasketball.com’s Baller of the Week and is appreciative of the fact that the Suns still have a strong following despite their disappointing season.
“That feels good,” he said. “The fans are watching the games and we’ve still got fans for the Phoenix Suns even though we’re not doing too great.”
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NBA.com fans have voted Amaré Stoudemire as the Nikebasketball.com Baller of the Week for the week ending Feb. 29.
Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns: Stoudemire had a monstrous week for the Suns, averaging 26.5 points and 12.5 rebounds as the Suns posted a 2-2 mark. Tuesday night, he notched a 25-point, 12-rebound performance against the Lakers. On Wednesday, Stoudemire totaled team-highs with 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 113-95 win over the New York Knicks. Two nights later, he posted 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds in a 104-99 win over Seattle. Sunday night, Stoudemire put in a gallant effort by tying his season-high with 33 points and adding 17 rebounds in a 108-94 loss to the Kings.
Amaré Stoudemire's Line:
G MPG FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
3 40.3 26-45 0-0 29-41 12.7 2.7 0.33 1.3 27
Stoudemire In Barkley-Like Streak
By Steven Koek, Suns.com
Posted: March 5, 2004
As the Suns' organization approaches the Charles Barkley Ring of Honor induction ceremony on March 20, Amaré Stoudemire is approaching a couple of Sir Charles’ consecutive game scoring records.
If Stoudemire leads the Suns in scoring against the Spurs at America West Arena Saturday night (7 p.m.), he would become the first Suns player to do so in 11 straight games since Barkley did it nine years ago this month. In topping the 20-point mark in each of those games, Stoudemire is also the first Suns player with a streak of 10 games over 20 points since the Round Mound of Rebound had two such streaks in 1995-96.
That would be impressive enough for the second-year forward if it stopped there. But, as all who have observed him over the past two seasons know, there is no stopping Stoudemire. With point totals of 33 and 32 the last two games, “STAT” could become the first Suns frontcourt player to have three consecutive games over 30 points since (who else?) Barkley in the 1995-96 season and the first overall since Stephon Marbury’s four in a row last year.
“My post game now is legit,” said Stoudemire in explaining his recent surge. “I’m demanding the double-teams, so that leaves the perimeter guys open and if they rotate back out to them, then I take it back down for an easy shot. We’re working inside-out and we’re doing a pretty good job at it.”
After earning Rookie-of-the-Year honors last season, the school of thought was that if the Florida native could learn how to play out of double teams and develop a mid-range jumper, he would be unguardable. While no one is picking out headshots to use for his Ring of Honor ceremony yet, he is showing major strides in both areas and is well on his way to becoming an unstoppable force in the post.
“He’s letting the play come to him,” said Head Coach Mike D’Antoni. “He’s not forcing it. He’s reading what’s there and he attacks when there’s a weakness, and he's passing the ball when they’re loaded up. He’ll continue to do that. That’s part of his development. He wants to learn and that’s the key. His attitude is super and he just keeps getting better.”
Stoudemire missed most of the summer recovering from offseason toe surgery and sat out 27 games this season due to a sprained ankle. But since returning to the lineup in early February, he has been performing at an All-Star level.
“The main difference in my game is being more relaxed out there,” he said. “I know the double teams are probable going to come. If not, then it’s either a basket or a foul. We’re doing a great job of spreading the court and knocking down open jumpers.”
With the Suns out of the playoff race after a season of change and adjustment, Stoudemire is looking to use the remainder of the schedule to build on what he hopes will be a long and successful career on a team with a promising future ahead.
“We’ve just got to study the game as a whole and get better,” he said. “We know we’re not going to make it to the playoffs but we can leave the season with a pretty good stretch and feeling good about ourselves, and come back next year with a lot of confidence.
“Right now, the chemistry is starting to get right. It’s been up and down the whole season with the trades and a lot of different things going on, but now we understand that this is our core team and we’ve got to learn from it.”
Valley fans aren’t the only ones taking notice of Stoudemire’s impressive run. He edged out the Kings’ Mike Bibby for Nikebasketball.com’s Baller of the Week and is appreciative of the fact that the Suns still have a strong following despite their disappointing season.
“That feels good,” he said. “The fans are watching the games and we’ve still got fans for the Phoenix Suns even though we’re not doing too great.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBA.com fans have voted Amaré Stoudemire as the Nikebasketball.com Baller of the Week for the week ending Feb. 29.
Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns: Stoudemire had a monstrous week for the Suns, averaging 26.5 points and 12.5 rebounds as the Suns posted a 2-2 mark. Tuesday night, he notched a 25-point, 12-rebound performance against the Lakers. On Wednesday, Stoudemire totaled team-highs with 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 113-95 win over the New York Knicks. Two nights later, he posted 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds in a 104-99 win over Seattle. Sunday night, Stoudemire put in a gallant effort by tying his season-high with 33 points and adding 17 rebounds in a 108-94 loss to the Kings.
Amaré Stoudemire's Line:
G MPG FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
3 40.3 26-45 0-0 29-41 12.7 2.7 0.33 1.3 27
