Suns F-C Stoudemire could return Thursday March 22, 2006 PHOENIX (Ticker) - The long-awaited return of Phoenix Suns star center Amare Stoudemire could be Thursday night. Stoudemire said Wednesday that there is an 80 percent chance of his being in uniform when the Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. The team's website reported that Stoudemire participated in 5-on-5 drills for the third straight day Wednesday and was put on the club's active roster. ESPN.com reported that Stoudemire will play Thursday. Sidelined since October after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee in October, Stoudemire was uncertain about returning this season as recently as last week. After a discussion with Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo and five straight days of practice, the 2005 All-Star may finally be ready to go. The addition of Stoudemire would be a phenomenal lift for the Suns, who already are en route to their second straight Pacific Division title with a 45-21 record but could use a boost in anticipation of potential postseason showdowns with San Antonio or Dallas, the top teams in the Western Conference. Last season, the 6-10 Stoudemire was fifth in the NBA in scoring at 26 points per game and second in shooting at 56 percent. He also averaged 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. In early October, the Suns signed Stoudemire, 23, to a five-year, $73 million contract extension. Shortley thereafter, they discovered that their star big man had a joint surface defect in his left knee that required microfracture surgery. The procedure is followed by long-term rehabilitation that has set back other star players such as Chris Webber and Allan Houston. Stoudemire initially was pegged to return in February, but the timetable was pushed back to March. Upon resuming workouts, Stoudemire experienced swelling in the knee. Given the team's strong play without him and the concern over his long-term future, consideration was given to having Stoudemire sit out the entire season. That would have been welcome news for rival teams as Stoudemire has gotten better in every season since the Suns selected him ninth overall out of high school in the 2002 draft. Stoudemire was the 2003 Rookie of the Year, averaging 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds. The following season, he improved to 20.6 points and 9.0 rebounds, overcoming an injury to win Rookie Challenge MVP honors at All-Star Weekend. Without Stoudemire, Phoenix's top seven scorers this season are averaging career highs. Among them is All-Star point guard Steve Nash, who leads the NBA in assists and could win his second straight NBA MVP. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...a.8vLYF?slug=sunsstoudemire&prov=st&type=lgns ---------------------------------------------------------------- If Amare comes back like last year, Phoenix is gona be pretty damn hard to beat!
Good! I just wish he doens't injure himself. He's too young and too talented to waste his career on an early return.
He should seriously sit out this season. Sure Nash might be one year older, but a 100% Amare will more than make up for that.
I wish Stoudamire has a fantastic career. However, I will not feel good if he gets a championship before Yao does. The good (or comforting) news is, Nash is getting older. He won't be this good for a long time. Take out Nash, Yao and Amare will be on equal competing ground and see who gets one first. I am gradually becoming a Suns fan, yet I can't stand the idea they start winning championships while the Rockets are in the dumpster with all the injuries. To me, Detroit is the only team that should win the trophy this year and make me feel good about it. Dallas, SA and Pho need to stay down while giving us some time to heal up.
I can't wait to see how this pans out -- i'm sure they are watching that knee like a hawk, but still...
So he's finally making it back. Good to see from him considering that douche move he pulled in the offseason by not having the surgery immediately after the playoffs and only said his knees had a lingering problem after he signed his extension just before training camp.
He's going to be a shadow of his former self for a while. No one comes back from major rehab like this 100%. It's going to be at least mid-season next year before he's really in the flow again. I hope he doesn't pull a Webber and take down the Suns season.... Evan
I dont' know about that. Duncan is getting up there in age and he is injured too. Without him, Gino and Parker alone won't be contending for a championship.
You forget that Stro plays 12-15 minutes a night. 20+ minutes if JVG is in a good mood. When Stro was getting 12/7 in that stretch before pink eye, he was already matching Amare in time scoring and rb.
why in the hell is stro being compard to amare stoudemire??? yeah they are both great athletes...the comparison stops there. but like everyone else here, i hope amare doesn't rush this. he's too young with his entire career ahead of him. your team is still playing terrific, make sure you are 100% before you step on the floor. i know he's a competitor, but there is a lot at stake. i wish the young man the best.
