Steve, I agree with you that Amare's play has recently declined, but not to the extent that warrants a tampering conspiracy.
My logic: Amare before the 2010 playoffs always KNEW he was the #1 option on offense. You can see it in his body language. Even before Nash crosses mid-court, Amare is waiting in the wings ready to set a pick. The bread and butter play would sometimes allow Amare to reel off 10-20 pts consecutively for the Suns (a la LBJ in the detroit series). We had wing players in Bell and Marion but they were hardly reliable. Thus, Amare fed off the notion that he was the go-to-guy.
Fast forward to the 2010 playoffs. We have a TON more options: Frye and Dudley on the corners. J Rich driving to the hoop. Even when Amare is in with Barbosa and Dragic, you rarely see the pick and roll because we are spreading the floor to try to either get an open 3 or penetrate and draw a foul. The emergence of our bench coupled with the play of Hill and J Rich allows Amare to become less of a DEFINITE #1 option and more of a "well-if-the-open-shot-isn't-available-let's-run-the-pnr-with-10-sec-left" option. Once again, you can see it in his body language. If he doesn't get going early, he starts playing really lazy and lacksadaisical. It even borders indifference.
It's really worrisome that a potential MAX player can become indifferent in the WCF, perhaps the best chance he's had at going to the finals in his 8 years here. A MAX player like Kobe or KG will will his team to a victory - diving for loose balls, yelling at teammates, doing whatever it takes.
If Amare wants to be the superstar that he thinks he is, he needs more passion on the court and instill it in his teammates.
