The Decline and Fall of Amare

[SirStefan32]

Number 2 superstar has two meanings. One meaning applies to Amare, the other applies to Carter. Please don't compare Amare to Carter. Amare has played well in many more big games than Carter has.

Why not? People are comparing Amare to Malone, so why the hell not compare Vince carter to Amare? Comparing Carter to Amare is much less ridiculous than comparing Amare to Malone.

 

[Bufalay]

Why not? People are comparing Amare to Malone, so why the hell not compare Vince carter to Amare? Comparing Carter to Amare is much less ridiculous than comparing Amare to Malone.

Nice logic.

 

[Covert Rain]

Why not? People are comparing Amare to Malone, so why the hell not compare Vince carter to Amare? Comparing Carter to Amare is much less ridiculous than comparing Amare to Malone.

No it's not. Your trying to compare guys who play two different positions. There is nothing more ridiculous then that.

However, I don't agree with what many have said. Karl Malone was a hall of fame PF. He could post you up, he could back you down. He could pick and roll and he could pick and pop. Also, Karl defensively would knock you to the floor.

The only thing Amare does better then Karl is jump. Karl could dunk but he wasn't what you called a leaper.

If I had a draft pick today and could pick between those two players, I don't even hesitate to take Karl Malone. This is coming from someone who couldn't stand the guy.

 

[jagu]

If you want to defend Amare, I suggest you use one of the following prescribed excuses.

1. "Oh but they double teamed him"
2. "Oh but he was boxing out and expecting his teammates to get rebounds"
3. "His mama is loony"
4. "The refs gave him no calls"
5. "But he scored 20+!"
6. "Nash made too many turnovers."

 

[Bufalay]

since the micro-fracture surgery, can you remember a game or a playoff series where Amare was a huge factor? Vince Carter has had a lot of big games in the playoffs also, that ultimately contributed to very little.

Played really well in game 4 against the Spers. He had 38-12 in game 6 against the Spers in 2007. 26 and 9 in the game he got off the bench. 20 and 18 game 1 of that series.

Games 3-5 against HTL in the 1st rd that year. 24-10, 27-21 and 27-16.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Played really well in game 4 against the Spers. He had 38-12 in game 6 against the Spers in 2007. 26 and 9 in the game he got off the bench. 20 and 18 game 1 of that series.

Games 3-5 against HTL in the 1st rd that year. 24-10, 27-21 and 27-16.

Good points in response to Cheese's reference to micro-fracture surgery... personally, I don't believe the surgery is a factor at all. Amare just isn't on a Karl Malone level, period... and never will be. And it's not because of the micro-fracture surgery or the eye injury. It's because he is simply not as skilled/gifted. Period...

 

[AzStevenCal]

However, I don't agree with what many have said. Karl Malone was a hall of fame PF. He could post you up, he could back you down. He could pick and roll and he could pick and pop. Also, Karl defensively would knock you to the floor.

Actually, you do agree with what many have said. It's the few that have been arguing the other side of this issue.

I really think Amare came into this league with the physical gifts and emotional makeup necessary to eventually rival Karl Malone. He didn't get there for a variety of reasons but health was the primary stumbling block. Still he's a good PF in a league not overly populated with good PF's. Karl Malone is arguably the greatest PF of all time and that's an argument that Amare simply does not belong in.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

Number 2 superstar has two meanings.

I really thought you were going a different way with this statement. I'm disappointed with Amare's recent level of play but I wouldn't say he plays like number 2.

Steve

 

[Cheesebeef]

No it's not. Your trying to compare guys who play two different positions. There is nothing more ridiculous then that.

why is it ridiculous to compare styles of play/mental make-up/career paths between two players?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Played really well in game 4 against the Spers. He had 38-12 in game 6 against the Spers in 2007. 26 and 9 in the game he got off the bench. 20 and 18 game 1 of that series.

Games 3-5 against HTL in the 1st rd that year. 24-10, 27-21 and 27-16.

like I said, I'm pretty sure that if I look back at Carter's game back when he was 27, you'll find he had a couple games here and there for the Nets which were really good, but ultimately didn't amount to a hell of beans.

I mean, you listed ONE game from this entire season's playoffs. ONE. You listed NO games from 2008 and whatever he did in the 2007 series was ultimately blunted by the most idiotic move of all time, coming off the bench and getting suspended which basically gave us no shot to win the series.

He did play well against a dog-crap Laker squad though in the first round... but like I said, I'm pretty sure Carter did the same thing for the Nets back in the day.

 

[ninous26]

At least carter was able to nail HUGE shots and game winning threes in important games/playoffs.. I'm talking like 28 footers, alley oop of the in bounds pass.. Put back dunks.. Amare never does any of that except in 03 when he banked in an incredibly lucky 3..

Carter vs Stat isn't even like comparing apples to oranges anyways... More like watermelons to raisens..

 

[Covert Rain]

why is it ridiculous to compare styles of play/mental make-up/career paths between two players?

Styles of play? How can you compare styles of play when one is guard/forward and the other is a Power Forward? Style of play is completely different. There jobs are completely different.

Vince Carter was pegged as the next MJ. Nobody pegged Amare as anything except possibly a young kid with a troubled past and an upside. Their career paths and expectations were completely different.

I really think Amare came into this league with the physical gifts and emotional makeup necessary to eventually rival Karl Malone. He didn't get there for a variety of reasons but health was the primary stumbling block. Still he's a good PF in a league not overly populated with good PF's. Karl Malone is arguably the greatest PF of all time and that's an argument that Amare simply does not belong in.

Steve

Well I think we differ on this point. You say he didn't get there. I say he is not there YET. Amare has still got a huge career ahead of him. If he continues to average 20+ points throughout his career, he is going to make the list of top scoring PF in NBA history. He will then belong in that conversation as one of the best offensive PF of all time.

Alot can happen between then and now. Your acting like his career is over and it's only down hill.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Alot can happen between then and now. Your acting like his career is over and it's only down hill.

I'm not sure what my acting has to do with Amare but I've said nothing like this. I have no idea what Amare will do as a player between now and retirement. I think he came out of high school with the potential to be something truly special and he has yet to reach that level. History tells us that if he hasn't shown it by now he probably never will but I enjoy watching the guy play and I really hope he does reach his potential.

I'm far from being anti-Amare. I've been in favor of re-signing this guy even when most people were clamoring to just let him walk. I'd still like to keep the guy, warts and all, if that secret Miami deal should fall through. And though I'm a Suns fan first and foremost I'll follow Amare regardless of where he plays next year (well, unless it's in a Lakers uniform).

Steve

 

[eastcoastSUN]

I just wanted to add that Amare's game tonight was a effin joke. Did you guys see his body language out there? Gasol gets an easy basket and for the rest of the game, Amare capitulates and accepts his fate instead of playing any D.

Where is the fire or compassion? A true leader doesn't just give up, which it looked like he was doing. A true leader doesn't accept his fate, he does everything he can to change it. Absolutely atrocious.

 

[jagu]

No question about it , he gave up. Even Amare homers might admit this. It was embarrasing to watch that on the court today, in a playoff game that means a whole lot more than contracts. Maybe to some. Dudley showed heart, Hill showed it. Amare gave up.

 

[eastcoastSUN]

does anyone think a private tweet to amareisreal laced with obscenities and commenting on his poor D would wake him up?

 

[Griffin]

I think we are seeing Amare's last few games in a Suns uni. Barring a come-back in this series, there is no way Sarver is going to pay him for a performance like that. We tried it with Amare and it's not working. Maybe it's time to explore other options.

 

[jagu]

Odom has 40 rebounds, to Amare's 9 in the series.

 

[SirStefan32]

Odom has 40 rebounds, to Amare's 9 in the series.

That's just luck.

 

[GorrilaLips]

knew Amare would choke big time somewhere during the playoffs....always scoffed at max money for this guy as well. The saying always runs true, you can't fix stupid.

 

[Ronin]

Do continue the Amare/Karl comparsion.

 

[jagu]

That's just luck.

Ya if you noticed in the 3rd quarter when Odom jumped up for a rebound, you could see a leprauchaun's head popping out of Odom's boxers giving Amare the finger.. watch it on youtube...!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Hey, maybe he's already decided to bolt to Miami. Nah, that's just crazy talk.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

Hey, maybe he's already decided to bolt to Miami. Nah, that's just crazy talk.

Steve

No that is just stupid talk. Amare looked like he gave up the last couple of minutes which was disappointing. However, Amare was outplayed the rest of the game. Gasol owned him. Period. Gasol is the better player period.

 

[taz02]

Hey, maybe he's already decided to bolt to Miami. Nah, that's just crazy talk.

Steve

Seems like I've heard that rumor before