Amar’e Stoudemire has announced his retirement from the NBA, following a 14-year career that began with all-time great promise and ended with injury-plagued failed launches. All in all, Stoudemire’s line–6-time All-Star, 5 All-NBA teams, Rookie of the Year–is impressive, and none of those numbers speak to the monstrous style of play that made him on of the NBA’s most feared players in his heyday. Still, it’s hard to dismiss the notion that he could have easily been one of the best power forwards to ever live.
Stoudemire announced his retirement yesterday after he signed a 1-day contract with New York so he could retire as a member of the Knickerbockers. Though Amar’e was dominant in his first year with New York, averaging 25.3 points per game and 8.2 rebounds, his production would decline in each of the next 4 seasons. His best days as a pro were easily with Phoenix, where he, along with Steve Nash and Grant Hill, formed one of the most prolific offenses of the 2000’s.
So, why retire as a Knick? Amar’e isn’t a New York native, he was born in Florida, and he played HS basketball in FL as well. Simply put, Amar’e was most excited about his career as a pro baller in New York. The Knicks allowed him to cash in on his talent in 2010, when he signed a $100 million contract as a free agent, and in that first year in New York he was so dominant there were MVP whispers surrounding his season until LeBron James quieted them down. Suns fans are probably hurt this morning, but hey. It’s New York.