11/05/24
October 11, 2005
Amare out for up to four months.: Amare Stoudemire's 'diagnostic' surgery became joint repair on the twenty-two year old's knee, meaning it will likely be February before he's able to return. This comes one week after the Suns and Amare signed a 5 year $73 million contract extension.
posted by Ufez Jones to basketball at 01:55 PM - 13 comments
This is where Nashy-boy shows if he really deserved that MVP. All the haters were crying that Amare made Nash look as good as vice versa - so it will be an interesting test for the Suns - who still have quite a bit of talent without Amare in, yes, a weakish Pacific. I bet they can still beat the Clippers.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:47 PM on October 11, 2005
What Amare did against the Spurs last year in the playoffs was remarkable. He can be a real asset, if the Suns play the cards right, and allow him ample time to completely heal. However with or without this stud they are still a rung below the San Antonio Spurs.
posted by Richard j Garcia at 04:11 PM on October 11, 2005
The Suns are in serious trouble. They have lost a ton of offense with Joe Johnson, Quentin Richarson, and now Amare. Steve Nash will create and Shawn Marion is a nice player, but they don't have anybody they can go to for consistant scoring. Couple that with subpar defense and this is a recipe for disaster. All the haters were crying that Amare made Nash look as good as vice versa Nash is a greater creator and distributor, but it doesn't matter how good of a creator you are if there is nobody to score the basket, and Amare is the best finisher in the game right now. Their offensive relationship is much like Stockton/Malone, great distributor and great finisher. Both players are individually very good, but the combination is dynamic. My prediction: Suns 10th in Western Conference.
posted by bigrobbieb at 04:15 PM on October 11, 2005
I'm glad this all comes a couple weeks before we all fantasy it up.
posted by charlatan at 07:49 PM on October 11, 2005
Suns will still make the playoffs, by which time Amare will be healthy and ready to make a run.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 06:23 AM on October 12, 2005
Oh bigrobieb - you're getting all caught up in the mix! Suns are much better than 10th, they've shored up some of their interior problems with the Richardson trade (who did absolutely nothing in the playoffs) and have a deeper bench. While the Nash/Stockton Stoudamire/Malone comparison may be apt, it also doesn't give Nash the respect he deserves as a scorer - who is more than capable of putting up 20 and 10 if the situation calls for it. I look for a lot more scoring from Nash in the first four months of the season. I think the bigger problem is the fact that Nash had a wonderful healthy season last year, is now 30+ and the Suns NEED him to stay healthy again. We'll see if Kid Canada can do it.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:14 AM on October 12, 2005
If the Spurs stay healthy, it wont even matter.
posted by mayerkyl at 09:12 AM on October 12, 2005
Weedy, we will see how it really goes down. I know they adressed some issues with the roster moves, but when I look at this roster with Amare out it doesn't look good. I'm not even attempting to downplay Nash's game, but outside of him they don't have a go-to guy on offense. Marion will get his points, but his buckets are generally fast breaks and put backs. In Johnson and Amare they are losing two guys on the offensive end that you can go-to in the half court for a bucket when you need one. The only reason I mention Richardson is that in combination with Johnson leaving they don't have the perimeter threats that spread out defenses and allowed Nash and Amare to destroy the paint wihtout being surrounded by four or five defenders.
posted by bigrobbieb at 11:19 AM on October 12, 2005
Amare had microfracture surgery, the same procedure done on Allan Houston, Penny Hardaway, Kerry Kittles and Chris Webber. As the linked article says, four months is very optimistic.
posted by dusted at 03:43 PM on October 12, 2005
the same procedure done on Allan Houston, Penny Hardaway, Kerry Kittles and Chris Webber. Oh, shit. That article should force any Suns fan to either run to church or the liquor store. Both if they're Catholic. Also, I've really missed Marc Stein during the off-season. He's another reason I'm glad b-ball's almost back.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:22 PM on October 12, 2005
Oh, shit. I had the same reaction.
posted by dusted at 01:33 AM on October 13, 2005
that blows
posted by chmurray at 08:59 AM on October 13, 2005
It will certainly be a much different Suns team for most of the season. The Pacific is a pretty weak division though and with Thomas providing them with something of an inside presence, I'm pretty sure that they can still look forward to a playoff spot. If I were Denver or SA (or Dallas or Houston) though, I'd worry about the possibility of facing the Suns with a just-returned Amare in the first round.