Miami Heat: Amar’e Stoudemire Not Thinking Retirement?
Some people believe the end is near for Amar’e Stoudemire’s NBA career, but the multiple time All-Star is not ready to hang it up for the Miami Heat.
Injuries have been a big part of the Miami Heat season thus far in the 2015-16 campaign. One of those players that has constantly been on the sidelines is Amar’e Stoudemire.
Stoudemire was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason and was expected to bring some veteran scoring punch to the Heat bench, but that has not really been the case.
Stoudemire has played in only 19 games this season, which has resulted in people talking about his retirement as he is a far cry from the dominant offensive player he was with the Phoenix Suns and the beginning of his New York Knicks tenure. But, don’t tell that to Stoudemire, as he is not ready to hang it up nor has any intentions of doing so.
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According to Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post, that is exactly the case. In the piece he talks to Stoudemire, who is still confident in himself being a contributor to an NBA team.
"“I’ve still got it. I’m not too far removed from doing that. It’s just a matter of finding a nice balance where I can stay consistent. My body’s been feeling great and strong. I feel healthy, my passion is there. If that continues, I’m jut gonna feel better and better and I’m gonna play better and better. There’s a lot more left in me. No question.”"
That seemed like a player not willing to accept his fate as an aging basketball player, but it seems like there is some truth to what Stoudemire is saying. Stoudemire has recently become a part of the Heat’s rotation, even being inserted into the starting lineup for the injured Hassan Whiteside. The results have been strong, as the Heat have gotten things back on track in the last week, coinciding with Stoudemire’s growing role in the rotation.
Stoudemire has played at least 22 minutes in three consecutive games, all Heat victories. He has grabbed at least seven rebounds in all of those games as well, as he shows that he still has something left in the tank to help out the Heat. He has appeared in eight consecutive games, and 16 of the last 19. The confidence of his teammates has never disappeared either, despite Stoudemire sitting almost every game before this recent stretch.
Chris Bosh is one of those teammates, saying, “We know what Amar’e was capable of — that never wavered. Other teams sometimes forget, and that works in our favor. We can use that. He gets down there and surprises them and gets us some points, and it’s huge.”
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It is hard to argue against that, as the Heat have had success with Stoudemire back in the lineup. He has also quelled some of the people that say he should retire, as he is playing good basketball at the moment and looks like a key piece to the Heat’s success going forward as a much needed third big man.