It was supposed to be a speech to students and a nice giveaway of backpacks and shoes at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. But when the topic turned to his future with the Suns, Amare Stoudemire's words wound up making more headlines than his deeds. After a summer of trade rumors and recovery from eye surgery, Stoudemire is back on the court and anticipating a big season with the Suns. The question is, will it be his last -- or even shorter if he is dealt at the trade deadline? "This might be my farewell tour, huh?" Stoudemire said. "If so, I'm going out with a bang, baby."
Stoudemire has an option year left for 2010-11 but it is at his discretion. And with the Suns, at least at this point, unwilling to give a max contract to a player who has had microfracture surgery and a torn retina in his eye within the last three years, Stoudemire is open to continuing to "build his legacy" elsewhere.
One of the loudest voices of approval when Mike D'Antoni left -- Stoudemire felt the team didn't spend enough practice time on defense -- he did a quick about-face when he felt constrained by the more regimented style of Terry Porter last fall and winter. Now with Alvin Gentry back in charge and the Suns once again committed to running and gunning, Stoudemire has flipped-flopped again -- happy to play more in the post and get back to the wide-open style that made him an all-NBA first teamer for the first and only time in his career.
Stoudemire is back on the floor and participated in four-on-four, half-court games for the first time -- a little rusty, but no ill-effects otherwise. He will have to wear goggles for the rest of his career and is in the midst of getting just the right pair designed. Last year, he wore goggles for the first few weeks but discarded them due to comfort issues.
