Amare Stoudemire Thinks You Are "Retarded" If You Don't Believe In Him

MAX Contract. Suns lose him, it will hurt.
 His choice of words, or the “R” word, I really don’t think he meant to harm anyone. He is a good person who has had a real tough youth.

Who freaking cares? It was obvious he didn’t mean it that way.

I think he’s won me over and I think the Suns should pay him. Mainly it’s because of how Lopez and Stoudemire look together. As long as they keep that tangent together, it could be awesome.

He probably got a little mad and if so maybe he really is giving his best and its not because he wants a contract but because he wants to do his best to help his team.

How Doug and Wolf kept pressing Amare and trying to get him away from politically correct “It’s all about the team” comments. They asked him “What has changed about you in the last 25 games?” three or four different times, using different wording, before finally moving on, because Amare kept saying things like “I think because our team is playing well, it’s helped me to play well” etc.

But his play shot up when the trade rumours were in full swing, and he’s maintained that level. It’s too much of a coincidence, it’s clearly had an affect.

Then again he has always gradually raised his game as the seasons go on (although I don’t have the stats to back up my point).

I don’t think he’s deliberately playing at a higher level just because it’s contract year, but I do believe all the rumours and speculation about his future have massively contributed to his current playing level.

along side of him who can rebound, move well and shoot.

Playing power forward has energized him. I recall how in his 1st years as a pro he kept saying he was a power forward not a center.

I guess all we can do is see how he performs when he has his huge contract… earlier in his career I think he may have been more complacent once he got a big deal but Amare seems to have had a change of heart, especially with Gentry actually focusing and preaching defense and defensive fundamentals… I think he will play almost as hard when he gets his deal but I don’t believe he will just half-ass it…

It would be interesting to see if Amare mails it in if the Suns are only a borderline playoff team in a few years….

I’ll take sincerity over political correctness any day. and Amar’e is one of the most sincere stars in the league. in fact, I think suns fans are really lucky in that pretty much our entire team is full of sincere guys, we get spoiled that we don’t have to deal with any bad characters or even anybody that thinks of themselves before the team.

Is it just me, or does Amare’s voice start to crack a bit towards the end? Listen to the way Doug and Wolf frame their question (something like “what would you say to those who think you are just playing for your contract right now and that you will be less committed after getting your money”). And then pay attention to Amare’s voice as he responds.

His answer just seemed…impassioned…emotional…I honestly think that all of this trade talk was really getting to Amare (wouldnt it get to you?? we are all human), because of the kind of person he is—loyal, dedicated, honest. But I think eventually he was able to wrap his head around the idea that the front office had certain doubts about him.

However, I think that to hear the question framed in the way it was (sort of suggesting that there were FANS, not just the front office, who doubted amare,) sort of broke a seal for him emotionally. I think if you listen to the way he answers the question, he is genuinely upset and doesn’t understand how anybody could doubt his dedication after all of the work he has put in. I might be imagining it, but I think you can hear his voice trembling as he says “ever since I came into the league I’ve been improving” and also when he points out that him not doing Team USA last time was because of his DEDICATION to the SUNS.

I’m just going to say right here and now that I’m sick of people criticizing Amare’s character. Its true that part of the reason for our high expectations is Amare’s fault—after all, he was the first one who claimed he wanted to be “the man”—but I still think that the standard that most suns fans have held him to in the past couple of years has been unreasonable. When he first decided not to do Team USA, everybody was happy that he was being dedicated to the Suns and wanting to make sure his body was in perfect condition for the (supposed-to-be) championship season. And then we hear all of these stories about Lebron and Melo learning defense from Koobe and all of a sudden it is AMARE’s FAULT for not learning defense from Kobe Bryant, or D’Antoni, or Terry Porter, or his high school coach for that matter. I am fine with people critizing Amare’s game (although I can’t see how anyone can these days). But what I am not okay with is people criticizing his CHARACTER or his DEDICATION to this team.

Somebody said earlier that being “the man” is about more than how you play on the court, and for that reason Amare should know not to use the word “retarded”. I agree with half of this. I think that being “the man” is about more than how you play on the court, but that being sincere is more important than being politically correct. Moreover, being “the man” means hard work and dedication off the court, during offseason, and in the community—things that Amare has proven to us consistently ever since he came into the league.

So I beg all of you, please stop and appreciate what a great character guy Amare is, in addition to his monster play.

.because of the kind of person who he is—very sincere

He shouldn’t be blamed for not being a great defensive player. The man was drafted out of high school where I’m guessing defense also isn’t a super important issue. Coach D’Antoni didn’t coach defense and I have absolutely no idea what was going on before then after STAT was drafted so you’ll have to fill me in there. But the main thing is, he’s got a coach who’s teaching a simplified defense that will only help him get better. Individually, STAT’s an average defender but recently, him and Lopez have proven to be the twin towers to contest with the Lakers. That last game was a fluke to me. But yeah, we’ve finally got our twin towers. I just hope Rolo comes back soon =(