basketball092

No amore for Amare E-mail
Written by Don   
Saturday, 14 February 2009 19:28
Amare-LASI.com's "Truth & Rumors" section produced something that has set tongues a-waggin'... they suggested - based on a piece from Peter Vecsey in the NY Post - that the LA Lakers should look at Amare Stoudemire as an option, especially since the Suns are eagerly shopping him.
The headline reads "Stoudemire to Cavs or Lakers?" and the short teaser is:
"The Cavaliers, Lakers and Heat are the lone teams who should seriously consider obtaining Amare Stoudemire's sub-standard services. Judging by what the Cavs have to offer - as mentioned, expiring contracts and talented youngbloods - and Suns GM Steve Kerr's connection and affection for Danny Ferry - I'm guessing it'll be Kevin McHale-Danny Ainge revisited . . . unless L.A. makes Lamar Odom available."

The first thing that leaps out to me is the *should*.  It's not a real rumor, it's simply idle speculation on the part of Vecsey.
But for the sake of exploration, let's have a look at it.

Critics of it state that the Suns would only do it if Bynum was part of the deal.  LA wouldn't part with Andrew Bynum before he started playing well for Jason Kidd, no way they pull that trigger for Amare Stoudemire.  And it's not the primary concern of Phoenix anyway.  The problem for the Suns is the luxury tax.  As they're currently configured, it's going to hit them hard.

Move Shaq?
Impossible.  His contract is - like him - carrying a lot of weight.
How about Steve Nash?
He's the most popular guy on the team.  Not going to happen.
The most tradeable asset they have is Amare Stoudemire, and given he's entered the summer of his discontent, he'll be eager to be elsewhere anyway.  The trade with Lamar Odom works - pretty much as a straight swap.  And he'd give them nearly 15 million in relief next season when his contract is done.

Anyway, back to why LA should shy away from this.
Primarily, he wouldn't fit.  LA has faced criticism at times over not playing defense, or at least being lackadaisical with that aspect of the game.  They should trade for a guy who whilst brings it on the offensive end, is at best described as an indifferent defender?
Next: Lamar Odom does what Amare Stoudemire would be expected to do. Does it better and with less fuss.  Amare's struggled with the presence of an energised Shaquille O'Neal in Phoenix.  Stoudemire was keen when the old guy seemed like he'd be a Sun in a supporting role, but when Shaq-Daddy started playing the best basketball he's played in years... Amare lost interest.  Do you really think he'd cope with being the 4th option on a team with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum & co.?  I very much doubt it.

Ok, I can hear the shouts already: Amare's game is better than Bynum's.  And you'd be half right.  He's better offensively - at the moment (tho' with the way Bynum was playing just before the injury - if he can return to that it'd be a statement you could contest)... but defensively Bynum is much, much better.  It's not even close.

As they are at the moment, at the All Star break, LA are the #1 team in basketball.  And they don't even have their starting center.
Why screw with that?

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Comments (5)Add Comment
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written by Sober, February 15, 2009
Err, the Triangle needs big men who can pass and read the floor well. Not guys who rely on jumping over people to score. Amare would be a horrible fit at the Lakers. He is doing a Marion and wants to be 'The Man'. His ego wouldn't take being at the Lakers.
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written by with-malice, February 15, 2009
Which... is pretty much what I said - wasn't it? Excuse me if I missed something somewhere... but I agree with you.
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written by Sober, February 15, 2009
I am agreeing with you. The "Err" bit is more of a 'Err' at people who think Amare will go well at the Lakers. He would be even more useless at the Lakers and Kobe would be shaking his head all the bloody time.
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written by with-malice, February 15, 2009
Aaaah... gotcha!

Agreed - it'd only be a few short weeks before he's all pouty!
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written by Brad, February 15, 2009
The Hornets should go for him.

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