Associated Press [imgl]http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/amare_stoudemire_c.jpg[/imgl] PHOENIX -- Amare Stoudemire, who jumped from high school to stardom in the NBA, signed a five-year contract extension Monday with the Phoenix Suns worth about $73 million. The extension kicks in after this season and has an opt-out clause after the 2009-10 season. He signed the contract a month shy of his 23rd birthday as the Suns gathered for media day preceding the start of their training camp in Tucson on Tuesday. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound power forward played out of position at center and dominated opponents last season for the high-scoring Suns. Known for his breathtaking slam dunks and uncanny quickness, Stoudemire averaged 26 points per game, fifth-best in the league, as a key member of a Phoenix team that won an NBA-best 62 games. "It's huge for the franchise," said teammate and last season's MVP Steve Nash. "He's the cornerstone of this franchise." Source
The Scary thing is this guy is only 23. Probably not even entering his prime. I think shaq said that he saw the NBA future and it was amare. It was a contract well earned. Amare is one of the elite player's in the league and probably will contend for MVP this year.
i think amare is a ways away from mvp, he's certainly elite but needs to work on being able to do more than dunk and improve his D
