Knicks Agree To Terms With Stoudemire On 5-Year Deal
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Free agent Amare Stoudemire agreed to terms on a five-year, $100 million contract with the New York Knicks Monday.
Stoudemire, 27, was not the first player on the Knicks' free agent wish list -- that would be superstar LeBron James -- but he isn't a bad catch either. In fact, it's said that he may even be instrumentral in bringing LeBron to New York (though I doubt it, given the availability of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as potential teammates).
A five-time All-Star, Stoudemire is one of the league's premier low-post players. He is vicious in the lane, often dunking emphatically on the heads of defenders, and has averaged over 20 points and 8 rebounds per game the last four seasons (all with the Suns).
When on his game, Stoudemire is a force to be reckoned with, prompting one New York writer to call him "the best Knick since [Patrick] Ewing."
In order to live up to that billing, Stoudemire will have to greatly improve his rebounding numbers and his defensive ability, but he's already got the whole "choking in the clutch" thing down. (I'm kidding, Knicks fans. Relax. I'm sure he'll be fine.)
There was some concern that Stoudemire wouldn't sign with the Knicks because New York's coach, Mike D'Antoni, was his coach in Phoenix for five seasons and the two didn't get along particularly well. But a Sunday brunch reportedly smoothed over those misgivings -- enough for Stoudemire to sign, anyway.
Still, Seth Pollack of Bright Side of the Sun still believes the arrangement won't work out, writing that the two are merely getting along out of necessity (for monetary reasons).
Other concerns about Stoudemire include the health of his left knee (which he had microfracture surgery on early in his career) and his reputation as an apathetic defender (a concern that was somewhat diminished by Stoudemire's defensive performance in the 2009-10 playoffs).
Regardless of Stoudemire's approach to defense, he is a good acquistion for the Knicks, who haven't had a winning season in 10 years.
He fits perfectly in D'Antoni's wide open offensive scheme, and he is a name that could potentially draw other players to town, even if LeBron says no. Already, Stoudemire says Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker are ready to join him in the Big Apple (I'll believe it when I see it).
For the Suns, losing Stoudemire signals the end of an era. Hakim Warrick and Gani Lawal are hardly suitable replacements for the one-man tornado of slam.
Phoenix had a number of good runs this decade (including an unexpected trip to the Western Conference Finals last season), but without a big man of Stoudemire's caliber they'll be in rebuilding mode for at least a season or two.
I feel for Steve Nash.
It looks as though his championship window has closed.
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