Stoudemire: It’s not all my fault
February 6th, 2009, 1:28 pm · 5 Comments · posted by scottbordow

Both Amare Stoudemire and Suns’ general manager Steve Kerr had some interesting things to say after the team’s shootaround this morning.

Stoudemire said he believes he’s taking too much of the blame for the team’s struggles this season. In doing so, he appeared to throw Steve Nash under the bus.

“It’s always on my shoulders when something goes wrong … I’m not a captain so you can’t place too much of the blame on me,” Stoudemire said. “It’s not my job to rally the troops and get everybody on board. It’s the captain’s job to do that.”

Stoudemire also maintained that he’s a better defender than he’s been in the past.

“I definitely think my defense has improved,” he said. “(As far as rebounding), I’ve got Shaq down there. I can’t get 15 rebounds a night with the big fella taking up all the space.”

Kerr spoke with Stoudemire Friday morning about the possibility of being dealt before the Feb. 19 deadline. Stoudemire said he doesn’t want to leave the Suns, but he also spoke in past tense about his career here in Phoenix.

“I think it’s kind of good that a lot of teams want me right now,” he said. “That’s a positive. Any time something like this happens it’s more of a business move than anything else. I know for sure wherever I go we’re definitely going to be playoff contenders. I bring a lot to the table.”

Kerr didn’t go so far as to say the Suns would make a deal, but he admitted trade talks this year have a different tenor because of the team’s inconsistency. (Before Friday’s games, they were ninth in the Western Conference standings and out of the playoffs).

“We don’t have the momentum we’d like to have,” Kerr said. “We’re underperforming … We’ve gotta develop that consistency. Right now we’re not showing any signs of doing that.”

Kerr didn’t list any of the Suns as untouchable, although it’s believed point guard Steve Nash isn’t going anywhere. He also twice spoke of financial issues moving forward, perhaps a sign that the Suns want to lower their payroll. That could be accomplished if they trade Stoudemire, who will earn $16.3 million next year if he doesn’t sign a contract extension this offseason.

“I think we can still be good this year but we have to be able to maintain our success going forward,” Kerr said. “In the last five years we’ve made a concerted effort to keep our talent around. We’ve built up a really big payroll, so you have to keep that in mind, too.”

When asked specifically about Stoudemire, who is rumored to be on the trading block, Kerr said: I am not going to make anyone any promises that they’re staying or going. You always have to understand there’s a possibility you may be moved. That’s part of the reason these guys are paid incredible salaries. There’s a price that goes with that.”

Posted by Allanfan20:

I'm getting turned away by him more and more by the minute. All players just need to shut their mouths and play basketball until something is done. I really am not interested in Stoudemire now. He has Marbury's attitude.

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by JrZyHuStLa:

StoudamireBury.

Amarebury

Posted by arkrud:

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by JrZyHuStLa:

StoudamireBury.

Amarebury

Amare is a great athlet. And Steph was great athlet too.
But what they and player like them contributed to the Game? What will be there to stay, what will be there to remember?
Nothing.





[Edited by - arkrud on 02-08-2009 3:14 PM]