Phoenix Suns: Predicting all-time starting 5 in NBA 2K18
Center: Amar’e Stoudemire
Honorable mentions: Alvan Adams, Mark West
We’re cheating a bit here, since Amar’e Stoudemire’s true position was always power forward. But with Barkley locking the 4-spot up and no true center worthy of knocking STAT out of the starting five, we’re going to roll with a small-ball lineup (albeit one that can’t shoot) with Stoudemire at the 5.
However, even though he hardly ever shot the three-ball, Stoudemire actually shot respectable percentages from the mid-range. In any case, because he and Nash formed the most effective pick-and-roll duo the league had seen since John Stockton and Karl Malone, it’d be impossible to avoid pairing those two in the starting lineup.
Simply put, Stoudemire was a beast in the paint, routinely embarrassing rim protectors with soul-shattering dunks. Before his body gave out on him, STAT was one of the NBA’s most intimidating and productive power forwards. In eight seasons with the team, he averaged 21.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
Though he was never much of a defender, Stoudemire racked up a Rookie of the Year Award, five All-Star appearances, four All-NBA selections and two conference finals appearances in his time with the Suns. In the 2005 Western Conference Finals, for example, he put up 37 points per game.
On the Suns’ all-time leaderboards, STAT ranks second in Player Efficiency Rating, third in total rebounds, fifth in blocks and sixth in points. The lack of perimeter shooting might make this starting five a bit frustrating to play with, but just take a look at Phoenix’s depth with a full 15-man roster:
- PG: Steve Nash, Kevin Johnson, Jason Kidd
- SG: Walter Davis, Jeff Hornacek, Devin Booker
- SF: Shawn Marion, Dan Majerle, Dick Van Arsdale
- PF: Charles Barkley, Connie Hawkins, Tom Chambers, Larry Nance
- C: Amar’e Stoudemire, Alvan Adams
Next: Predicting the Thunder's all-time starting 5 in NBA 2K18
Anyone else ready for NBA 2K18 to come out? Because if the Phoenix Suns’ all-time roster looks anything close to that, they might be one of the game’s most popular selections.