New York Knicks: Is this the end for Amar’e Stoudemire?
By Bryce Olin
Will there be any takers for the 12-year NBA veteran Amar’e Stoudemire when his contract expires at the end of this season?
The New York Knicks have nothing to play for this season other than the No.1 draft pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Knicks players, on the other hand, especially the ones who don’t have a future with the organization, have everything to play for, including a new job with another team and a new contract.
Of the current Knicks roster, the Knicks have six players on an expiring contract, including Amar’e Stoudemire, and two more players on teams options.
For those players, the rest of the season is an audition, if you will, for a spot on another team and a new contract. Stoudemire is one of those players.
After only playing in 76 games in two full seasons between 2011 and 2013, Stoudemire played in 65 games last season and is on his way to another 60-game season with the Knicks this season. For those 60-plus games, Stoudemire is getting paid $23.4 million.
Wowzers…
There have been talks within the Knicks organization considering buying out Stoudemire’s contract and opening up a roster spot, according to NBC Sports.
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Stoudemire was already facing the possible end of his career after this season anyway. Cutting it a few months short wouldn’t be the end of the world, but if Stoudemire still wants to play in the NBA, would anyone take him?
That’s the big question facing the former All-Star plagued by knee injuries.
According to CBS Sports, Stoudemire told ESPN’s Mark Woods that he has a “hard decision to make” about his future after the season.
Stoudemire has been playing well offensively this season, and someone might want to take a flyer on Stoudemire. However, I can’t believe anyone would seriously consider paying anything more than the veteran minimum for a player who only has 25 minutes per game left in him at this point of his career.
| Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | FT% | TRB | AST | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 29 | 25.8 | 5.1 | 9.2 | .556 | .703 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 12.7 |
| Career | 764 | 32.7 | 7.4 | 13.8 | .536 | .761 | 8.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 20.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/16/2015.
Even in the Knicks terrible offense, Stoudemire has been somewhat effective and productive at times this season. He’s averaging 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and he’s shooting 56 percent from the field. AND HE’S ON THE KNICKS!
Stoudemire has always been a good offensive player, and he looks to have some of his old athleticism back when attacking the basket and going up for rebounds. There’s a team out there that could use his Stoudemire as the ninth or tenth guy off the bench.
Ultimately, though, Stoudemire’s offensive abilities are far too weak to make up for the defensive liability Stoudemire is on a play-by-play basis.
This video is from 2012, but Stoudemire’s defense has not improved much over the course of the last three years.
Ole!
And, from 2013!
I laugh every time I see that video.
So, back to the original question: is anyone going to take a chance on Stoudmire after this season?
After watching those two videos of Stoudemire’s defense, it’s hard to imagine a team seeing anything of value in Stoudemire’s on-the-court game. I don’t see Stoudemire making a difference for a contender or coming off the bench in the playoffs.
To Stoudemire’s credit, he hasn’t had much of a reason to try on defense since he’s been healthy. Other than one season, the Knicks have been a huge mess since Stoudemire joined the team. A situation like that, typically, isn’t going to bring the best out of a player.
For example, Pau Gasol seems reinvigorated playing for the Chicago Bulls after looking washed up for two full seasons in Los Angeles. That’s not going to happen with Stoudemire, but I guess, considering the Knicks have no defensive scheme, it’s possible he could improve and be an okay player in a defensive system that protected him.
While playing consistently after this season might be stretch, Stoudemire would be a great asset to have on the bench as a mentor/role model of sorts, like Juwan Howard was with the Miami Heat.
Stoudemire wouldn’t your typical NBA bench mentor, but he’d be a great guy for young players to learn the NBA life from. He even takes wine bathes!
If he has the desire to stay in the NBA and be a part of a team, Stoudemire will have plenty of opportunities.
Ultimately, I think this is end of the road for Stoudemire’s playing days, at least as a rotation player in the NBA. That’s the sad reality of a freak athlete who suffered way too many knee injuries.