http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/...ith-Mike-D%27Antoni-on-New-York-Knicks-070510 Round 2 of Amar'e-D'Antoni won't work The first go-round with Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni in Phoenix featured vehement private and public complaints on both sides of their precarious partnership. And there’s little reason to expect the outcome of their reunion in New York will be any different. For his part, D’Antoni did little to conceal his profound displeasure with Stoudemire’s lack of interest in playing defense as well as with his low basketball IQ. But here it is two years later, and Stoudemire continues to believe blocking shots is all the defense he needs to play. Moreover, playing screen/roll with Steve Nash and making angle cuts in Nash’s wake have done nothing to elevate Stoudemire’s understanding of the game. Not even by osmosis. On the other hand, Stoudemire publicly complained his ex-coach lacked a sufficient focus on defense. This belief was, of course, right on. But the only semi-rational explanation for Stoudemire’s saying this was he actually believed his own defensive shortcomings were strictly D’Antoni’s fault. Ah, but the two former antagonists broke bread with each other in New York over the weekend and emerged to proclaim that all of their former differences have been successfully resolved. Does this mean Stoudemire actually is impressed with the Knicks’ sad-sack defense during D’Antoni’s tenure? Or has D’Antoni become convinced Stoudemire will suddenly prove to be a basketball Einstein as soon as he dons a Knicks uniform? Could anything be more ludicrous? However, it’s reasonably certain New York will, sooner rather than later, sign some other free-agent superstar. But because another of Stoudemire’s constant laments throughout his career has been he never gets enough shots and not enough sets are run through him, why would the likes of LeBron James or Dwyane Wade have any desire to play with him? Indeed, just as John Stockton was the main reason Karl Malone’s numbers were so impressive, Stoudemire’s stats were mostly dependent on being fed cookies by Nash. Even if LBJ and/or D-Wade joins Stoudemire in the Big Apple, neither of these two players, as great as they are, can come close to equaling Nash as a facilitator. In order to truly develop his game, Stoudemire needs structure. D’Antoni’s so-called system, which he has characterized as “organized chaos,” will do nothing to broaden Stoudemire’s on-court horizons. Yes, he’ll score lots of points, block an occasional shot, make an occasional pass and snatch an occasional rebound, but no matter whom else the Knicks lure to New York, Stoudemire will remain an incomplete player. In addition, Stoudemire’s uninsurable knees and past eye injuries make giving him a max contract a huge gamble — one that the desperate Knicks can’t afford to lose. Even more dangerous is the multitude of high-style goodies available in New York, temptations that an immature young celebrity like Stoudemire will find difficult to resist. Indeed, his barely post-adolescent mind-set is exemplified by the growing roll call of agents he has haphazardly hired and fired. So forget about Stoudemire and D’Antoni making amends, forget about the happy faces and bright-eyed platitudes that will emerge in the news conference that announces the signing. And forget about the promises of championships that inevitably will be won when or if the Knicks sweep the board of top-notch free agents. These are the essential reasons Stoudemire has decided to re-up with D’Antoni: • Phoenix was dullsville, Chicago is merely the second city and Miami is a comparatively low-budget franchise. • New York, however, is where the action is. • And, most importantly, New York is where the money is. In short, despite whatever further roster moves are made, New York and Stoudemire have joined forces for all the wrong reasons.
Amare = part of NY's master plan to bait Lebron into signing. Whether he's a good or bad fit, and whether his knee break down in, say, year 3 of the contract are totally irrelevant.
I read it, it's just around here, we're not to fond of Rosen. It was a joke homie, calm down. Unless you rocking 56k kid, it shouldn't bother you.
Amare is a bad fit for the Knicks. I mean the Knicks are known for signing big contracts to bad players. This is just another example of a bad signing. Amare is a good player but expect his numbers to dip without Nash feeding him. His contract will be a heavy burden for the Knicks later and expect the Knicks will try to dump Amare and his contract in a few years.
Amare wanted to come to NY bad - no other big FA have expressed the same sentiment. He was their best choice to make sure they didn't get shut out - that would have been bad for the fans, GM and owner. At least now they have some new faces and semi-big names coming in.
I think he would have fit for Houston, at least coming off the bench. The guy is not worth max contract. This guy is not someone who can make a team great. Don't get me wrong, he can make a good team better, or even a bad team good, but I will be stunned if he ever wins a ring.
Amare wanted the full max, and Chicago, Miami, etc weren't willing to go that deep for him. Morey likewise knew his play didn't merit $100M. Don't give the max to a non-franchise player. Knicks knew they needed to get SOMEONE, because if they struck out on everyone, there were going to be riots in Manhattan ("You stunk it up for two years...to sign Mike Miller and Ray Felton???? DIE!!!!"). Knicks overextend and offer him the full max, Amare signs immediately. Amare dooms the team going forward, because that albatross contract alone is going to make it extremely difficult for them to have cap room for 5 years. And with no assets to make trades, they're screwed. Don't hitch your wagon to a guy that can't win games for you on his own. He'll be a classic big numbers on an awful team guy. He'll sell more tickets, and he is much more difficult for teams to guard. But as Bill Simmons would say, he also takes a lot OFF the table. Worse on the boards, a lot worse defensively, awful locker room presence. And when he costs at least $7M more than Lee? Horrible basketball decision. Unless LeBron shocks the world and signs, unless they find a couple amazing undrafted rookies, they're going to be abysmal. Evan
However this plays out I'm satisfied knowing that the Suns will struggle to make the playoffs next year. I will be picking up Hakim Warrick in the late rounds of our fantasy draft though.
He won't cost $7 million per season more than Lee. Just give it 3-4 more days. Regarding being a "fit": Amare isn't a fit at $20MM a year on any team. The Knicks have made a huge blunder that will haunt them for years. Neither LeBron nor Wade is going there. The Knicks deserve this because of the trash they put on the floor the last two seasons.
amare is a good fit for the knicks in many ways that don't contribute to winning. 1. he's a big name, and here in ny the band-wagoners love that. season tickets are selling. 2. he's high priced which means he's good. here in ny, the more expensive something is, the better it is. see 5th ave.
I know everybody here hates Amare for some odd reason.... He isnt all that good at D....i know... but the guy can play.....and hell be a good fit where ever he goes...
Tbh I've gotten the feeling they've resigned themselves and now feel they need to just have more assets on the table than NJ for Carmelo next year
