If, and only if, the Suns are as good or better this year than last, it will be because Amare goes to another level. Could happen. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/1002amaresuns1002.html Coaches, mates notice Amaré's expanded game Paul Coro The Arizona Republic Oct. 2, 2005 12:00 AM The Suns officially get back to work Monday, when they go through a circuit of media duties and catch a bus to Tucson for a weeklong training camp. But Amaré Stoudemire really never stopped working since the playoffs. By his count, he took two weeks off this summer outside of his basketball training and his expanding off-court demands. You will see it when he drives to his left, pushes the fast break with the dribble, pulls up for jumpers and - gulp - shoots the corner three-pointer. After pickup games, Stoudemire's shooting drills now regularly include long streaks of made threes. "I'm ready to go," Stoudemire said. "I'm really trying to win a championship this year. That's what I'm striving for. There are a lot of new guys and there have been some huge changes, but I think it's all for the best to help this team become a champion. That's what it is all about." Stoudemire committed himself, whether it was occasional trips to America West Arena for workouts with Suns athletic trainers, or asking Phoenix assistant coach Phil Weber to come to Orlando for five days so he could continue the basketball development they did at the arena. "His mind-set is about as good as it gets," Weber said. "Because of how good he is, some other factors came up this summer that other people don't have to worry about. He did whatever I asked for as long as I asked. He just wants to be the best player he can be." The pair worked primarily on offense, leaving the defensive adjustments to come from assistant Marc Iavaroni via video lessons. Stoudemire and Weber worked on perimeter moves usually reserved for backcourt players. Suns power forward Brian Grant, signed this summer, carries the best perspective for Stoudemire's development as a former foe. He knew every scouting report on Stoudemire said to force him left. When he did that during one of last month's voluntary workout games, Stoudemire blew by him. "Oops," Grant told the coaches. "Guess you can't do that anymore." Stoudemire said he liked the team's summer moves, although he did make a push for the Suns to try to keep Joe Johnson. Any distaste seems to come from only Johnson's side. Stoudemire said they were "real good friends" and hung out away from basketball. "I can't hate him for the move he made because it was a smart move on his behalf," Stoudemire said. The additions of Grant and Kurt Thomas, two veteran post players, were especially pleasing to Stoudemire, who now won't have to guard opponents' top post players and may get more space to operate. He played frequently last month with the team's other additions, including the standout of them all, guard Raja Bell. "I'm impressed," Stoudemire said. "I think we're going to be even better, especially defensively, and we've still got the offensive game."
The days of Shaq and Yao trying to defend Stoudemire are over. He's so explosive and can handle the ball so well for his size that he can probably beat most 3's of the dribble. You can't put centers on him anymore. He'll just make them look silly like they're stuck in cement or he will dare them to come out and defend his jumpshot. I think teams will try to defend him with smaller players this year, so he can't blow past them very easily. Opposing teams will try to take advantage of his only weakness-his post up game-and go at him on the defensive end, because he's a weak defender.
What are you basing this on? Check back to see who the article references. Come on, I could probably beat Brian Grant off the dribble the way his knees are these days. Amare had supposedly developed a mid-range jumper last off season and he was still shaky from beyond dunk range most of the time. I'll believe Amare can beat 3s on the perimeter when I see it...
Personally, I think this may finally be the year teams stop single-covering Amare. He's an absolute monster on the offensive end. If his jumpshots are more consistent now, a larger defender won't be able to step out in time. Moreover, he can easily overpower a smaller defender and make a quick move to the basket While I think he would've been better off improving his post skills, the added three-point shot to his already formidable arsenal of slashing moves, will cause teams to start doubling him regularly. I suppose only time will tell how well he handles the double-teams. I've never really seen Amare's passing ability, so I can't give any indication as to how well he'll be able to pass out of them.
i think we have 3 different players with 3 different ways to defend him. tracy, stromile and yao. each one brings a different facet of defending amare. cant wait for the season to start!!
The guy is absolutely scary and what he is doing is damn near unprecedented. This guy came out of high school! He's not supposed to be this good this fast. I already thought he was the best PF in the league the second half of last season and definitely in the playoffs. If he takes his game to 'another level' as the article seems to indicate, then that could only spell trouble for the rest of the league. I guess that's where Stromile's speed/agility and defensive ability will be tested the most, against a guy like Amare. I am glad we finally have a speedy, lengthy PF on this team that can keep up with other PF in the league. I just hope Stro stays healthy, that's really my biggest concern.
I'll believe the crap on Stoudamire when I see it; as far as the Suns being better, yeah right. They won't have the magical season they had last season this year.
...trying not to be kicked by all these knee jerk reactions... Chill people, this is an Arizona writer, he's suppose to give Suns fans a reason to get excited about their up coming year. Thinking Amare is going to be leagues better, unstoppable, etc. compared to last year b/c he's hitting a corner 3 in practice is ridiculous. I see there is no mention of the weakest part of his game...defense...oh wait, he IS watching videos on it...
How has he expanded his game. All he has done is further improve the parts of his game that he was already good at - driving and shooting the jumper. And it seems like he would much rather play as a small forward or shooting guard than as a power player (perimeter moves/shooting 3s??).
the pistons have showed that individual talent alone means nothing in this league. KG is an opposite but equal example of that. if amare becomes as good as KG, great for him. when nash retires the suns will be the next T-wolves, while we will be contending for the next 10 years thanks to our young stars and great coach.
It was also unprecedented for a guy to be 20 years old when he came out of high school. Of course a 20 year old is gonna seem better than an 18 year old. I think Tim Duncan and his three Finals MVPs might have something to say about that come playoff time. There is not a GM in the league that wouldn't take TD over Amare for next season. I can guaran-damn-tee Amare won't put up the same numbers he did last year without shooters to space the floor for the break and pick and roll.
Pullup jumpers? Corner 3s? It seems like Amare is trying to develop into a SG in a PF's body. Don't get me wrong, for all we know that can be as dominant and explosive an anyone. But it still baffles me why he isn't going "inside" with his development. He already had a good mid-range game. He could face up and drive past people and make 12-15 footers with regularity. So with that mid-range in hand, the natural progression for a big man would seemingly be a postup back-to-the-basket game. Seriously, who could stop this kid if he added a drop step and jump hook to his repertoire. If he posts up down low and gets the ball he would kill you, and if he gets pushed out of the paint, he can face you up and kill you. This guy is a powerful dunker, but if he doesn't learn how to back guys down, then he's going to get exposed like how Dirk was exposed by T-mac. You put a quick lanky guy on Amare, who can cut off his penetration, and then send help defense to protect the rim. Maybe he just wants it all; inside, outside and midrange game. But it would seem to me that he's better off developing his inside game sooner rather than later. Extending your range just requires you to practice shooting a lot. But developing a low post game involves a lot of practice with footwork, coordination, and body control. Who knows, this might be the best thing for Amare's game. And maybe he's not neglecting his post up game at all, but they only focus on his perimeter development. I guess we'll find out. Season's starting soon.
The Suns just don't get it, and apparently they never will. Teaching Amare how to play D with videos while he spends time in the gym working on corner 3's? If their best player doesn't commit himself to defense, or at least pretend like he's trying, then they'll never be good enough defensively to win a title. That, and they actually think Amare will have more space to operate this year? No player in the next 15 years will have as much space as Amare did last year. if Amare wants to shoot threes, be my guest big fella. Shoot em all day long if you want. Don't worry about the D, defensive pillar Kurt Thomas will take care of it.
Look at it this way: He averaged 26ppg, 10 FTA per game, and 56% shooting last season. Really, with that kind of production it doesn't matter how you score. IMO, if Amare would just improve his defense, rebounding, and passing, he'd be beyond dominant.
Maybe someday he will. But let's step back for a moment and see how he does with more attention and playing against PFs. I'm really impressed with how motivated Amare is to improve his game though. Most players with his ability tend to coast after a while.
I totally agree with this--I'm very interested to see how Amare will play this upcoming season now that he will be double teamed on a regular basis ala Shaq and Yao.
Yep, I totally agree. If I were an NBA coach, I would use my defense to funnel him to that corner for the 3 pointer. Let him turn into the next Walta McCarty. Hopefully, he falls in love with the shot.
Dude's working hard to try to become the next Eddie Griffin, and the doubters still wonder why Rockets took a chance on Eddie back then....
