Six-time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire said today that he’s considering a return to the NBA, reports Ian Begley of ESPN. Stoudemire last played professionally in Israel after retiring from the NBA in the summer of 2016.
Stoudemire, 35, who spoke of his desire to potentially return during an appearance on The Michael Kay Show on ESPN 98.7 FM, said – for what’s it worth – that he’s in great shape and training as if he were returning to the NBA. He’ll participate in the BIG3’s second season this summer.
Stoudemire is perhaps best known for his tenure with the Suns for eight seasons from 2002 to 2010, where he teamed up with two-time MVP Steve Nash to form a dynamic duo that made the Western Conference Finals three times – in 2005, 2006, and 2010.
Individually, Stoudemire was named to an All-NBA team five times in his career, earning first team honors in 2007 after averaging 20.4 PPG and a career-high 9.6 RPG.
Why
He’s only 35? Wow, I would have guessed 45.
But his knees are 55 !
Amare was awesome for the Heat, and really improved defensively, even at that stage of his career
Always loved STAT, hope he can pull it offf.
Was so disappointed when the Knicks dismantled that fun STAT, Felton, Chandler, Gallo team of 2011 to bring in Melo. Amar’e was 26 and 9 at the time of the deal, and was a dark horse MVP candidate.
Too bad he was only on one side of the court. His defense was just as intense as Harden’s.
Was there ever a New York or New Jersey team in any sports, besides the Yankees, that actually made a good move in the last decade.
Haven’t both the Giants and Mets been in a Super Bowl/World Series this decade?
KP draft pick, Mets trading for Cespedes which led to a WS run, Rangers played for the Stanley Cup, Giants won a championship…
Do you follow NY sports?
I was a big fan of STAT too, so it would be great, but just hope he can still ball, is not good to see this guys come back sometimes & be less than a shadow of themselves, you wanna remember them when they were beasts.
Somebody must have bills to pay? Reason why a lot of old heads try to latch on. I think Amare could do as much if not more sitting on a chair as Ju’wan Howard did or Kendrick Perkins.
Surely there comes a time when a player realises the dream is over. Time has passed you old Stat, just accept that fact and remain retired gracefully and not attempt to come back and embarrass yourself
His last year with Miami was one of his best defensive years of his career. His per 36 was 14/10. He simply didn’t get enough playing time because they also had Whiteside, McRoberts, Bosh, and even Birdman as other guys playing center at times. I believe even Haslem was getting time.