I can't wait for the return of Stoudemire, but I say... What's the rush big fella? Rest up Amar'e Stoudemire my dude. Just because Christmas is our biggest Holiday, doesn't mean he must use Christmas as a "must return". Plenty of basketball left, but as a Knicks fan, I'm ready for his return as soon as he's given the green light.
This man returned our winning way to New York City. Stoudemire had a vision for our team, franchise, future and fan base dating back to day one of becoming a Knick. You don't kick a warrior such as Amar'e Stoudemire to the curb as he's recovering from a fluke cyst. With Amar'e Stoudemire also came the start of our winning ways. We've now landed trips to the postseason during consecutive seasons since Stoudemire arrived and in as short as three years; we're seeing the finished product in which he started (as a player). Even promised us both Melo and Parker during his first interview as a Knick.
We've actually done better than just Parker and Melo. Parker aside, we've actually landed the likes of Carmelo Anthony who forced his way out of Denver in order to compete for a championship alongside Amar'e. Felton's returned. We've landed Kidd as a free agent, Brewer as a free agent, J.R Smith as a free agent, Pablo Prigioni as an overseas free agent, Rasheed Wallace as a free agent etc, etc. This may have never been possible, if not for Stoudemire coming to New York when all the other big name stars feared losing and/or rebuilding a franchise. Stoudemire himself took the challenge full force. We've also landed the likes of Shumpert, Novak, Camby, Thomas and Tyson Chandler dating back to Stoudemire's arrival.
This is now Melo's team. Melo has became our franchise leader. Melo's the type of scoring phenom in which can help lead a team to a championship. This is why Amar'e being out starting off the season can become a blessing moving forward. As a true teammate, Stoudemire will not only know but also understand his role moving forward. Which is to be a star one way or another but understanding that Melo's our true superstar.
Not to go off topic and mention the trade, but for those of you who support Amar'e and harp all over Melo while talking up Denver's talent and/or future etc, etc do you not realize that Amar'e Stoudemire (himself) had a big 'say so' during the trade for Melo? Because before Dolan went after Melo with guns blazing, before Dolan wrote the check in order to pay Melo franchise superstar type of money, even before Carmelo Anthony (himself) forced his way out of Denver in order to play for his home of New York... There was Amar'e Stoudemire himslef. The man in whom promised New York future greatness with fire power such as Parker and Melo moving forward. We've since came out on top. Stoudemire never once mentioned building our franchise around the likes of Gallo, Wilson Chandler, Mozgov, Randolph and/or Curry. But he did promise us Carmelo Anthony and a great future moving forward. Do some of these trade for Melo critics believe that Amar'e (such as themselves) is "still" complaining about landing Melo for the likes of Gallo, Wilson, Mozgov, Randolph, Curry and/or Felton's return to New York? No. Because this is what he wanted. This is what he promised us. Star power.
Melo may be our greatest Knicks talent dating back to Ewing of his prime years, but Stoudemire is the man who started this but yet we're talking about trading Amar'e Stoudemire for a 32 year old Gasol in which seems to be on the decline as of right now? No thank you. Trading Stoudemire as of right now would become a typical love you when you're up before kicking you while you're down type of franchise move. It wouldn't send a good message to the league in regards to our team, Stoudemire's teammates, potential/future NBA free agents etc, etc. You don't quit on a Melo/Stoudemire duo just yet, not when 2012-2013 is on the verge of becoming their first (full) season together. Last year Amar'e was banged up and lost his brother due to death. But Stoudemire only turned 30 years of age last month, has been focused as ever dating back to the offseason, worked out with Hakeem on a daily basis, looked explosive as ever during his first preseason game back before needing to have a fluke cyst removed etc, etc.
The man set a franchise record for consecutive games of 30+ points at full strength not even two years ago. Feasted with our current starting PG in Raymond Felton. You give Felton both Chandler and now Stoudemire to work with down low? Forget about it. Felton himself had a career year playing alongisde Stoudemire. Averaging 17.1 points and 9 assists per game during 54 games before being traded for Melo. The difference? Instead of Movzov Felton now has Tyson Chandler down low. Instead of Gallo at SF he'll now have Melo. Instead of Fields he's playing alongside the likes of J.R Smith. Instead of Douglas it's Novak etc, etc. Once Stoudemire returns? Look for Felton to emerge as a serious ball distributor.
12/18/2012 5:52 PM
