And for those too lazy to clicky the linky;
Poopsworld wrote:Up Close with Amar'e Stoudemire
Written by Eric Pincus
The Phoenix Suns opened their season this past Wednesday night in Los Angeles with a 109-107 victory over the Clippers. It marked the official return of former All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire to the floor after suffering a detached retina back in February - oddly enough at STAPLES Center against the same Clippers. After multiple surgeries and an anxious offseason, the most of which Stoudemire wasn't permitted to play any basketball, he's been given the green light to play without reservation. The upshot is that Amar'e will need to sport protective eyewear for the remainder of his career.
In his season debut, Stoudemire scored 16 points, taking just six field goal attempts over a lengthy 40 minute span. After the game he spoke to HOOPSWORLD's Eric Pincus:
Are you comfortable entirely with the glasses and the look and how it feels?
"I'm still getting used to it. Wearing the goggles takes some getting used to. Hopefully by midseason I should be totally used to it."
You didn't go with the old school Kareem/Worthy goggles. Are we ever going to see those big bubble goggles?
"Whatever works and I get the best production out of as far as not fogging up and not adjusting too much. Simple is good for me. As long as it's clear and protecting my eyes, I'm good to go."
Is there any sort of psychological thing you have to deal with - any fear of getting re-injured?
"I think for me the most part for me right now is finding my rhythm offensively. Getting the feel back - to playing basketball again. That's my main guest right now to get that back. As far as the protection goes, I don't think about the eye at all."
You've gone through this before, where you've had an injury and you've had to come back. Is this different in any way? How does it compare to the last one?
"This is a little bit better, I think. I'm not worried about any soreness as opposed to coming back from the knee injury. It's more so now about getting myself into a rhythm offensively - as far as getting my feel back on the basketball court."
Just to play. Just to get out there. What's the emotion in finally having a game under your belt?
"It feels great man to finally back on the basketball court. I've been off for so long, I just had to recover from the injury. It's definitely a long path for me with the offseason procedure but I feel great man."
The Suns would win two nights later in Golden State, 123-101 over the Warriors. Stoudamire was able to play fewer minutes (30) with an even higher scoring output (20). It's a long season just a few games in but Phoenix is first in the Pacific Division and one of just seven undefeated clubs.
While the Suns don't appear to be a championship caliber team, they do look like a squad that can compete for a playoff berth. They key to that will be a healthy and productive season from Amar'e. After a scary stretch with his career in jeopardy, Stoudemire was able to fight his way back by opening night. It will take some time for him to reach the top of his game but he's already helping his team get wins.
If he can get back to his All-Star level, the Suns may be one of the league's most dangerous upstarts.
