Amare "I Want to Be Fierce"

Shapecity · Sep 12, 2008

Amaré Stoudemire came face to face with a bouncing, snarling, 10-foot tall baby T-Rex Tuesday to help promote this weekend’s visit of “Walking With Dinosaurs” at US Airways Center.

Read Jerry Brown's blog, 'Rim Shots'

Of course, he is used to sharing the stage with folks from another era. Take Stoudemire, who turns 26 in November, out of the equation, and the rest of the Suns’ projected starting lineup (Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Steve Nash and Shaquille O’Neal) averages 34 years of age.

That’s not exactly on the verge of extinction — but downright Jurassic by NBA standards.

But Stoudemire feels the Suns’ core still has plenty of fossil fuel left in the tank, and with the injection of energy expected from newcomers Matt Barnes, Goran Dragic and Robin Lopez, the new direction provided by coach Terry Porter will be just what the team needs to reload.

“The new guys? Fantasico,” said Stoudemire, kissing his fingertips, European style. “The players we brought in really complement the players we have, and they work extremely hard. We have active, fearless guys who are so focused on basketball.

“For a team that’s looking to achieve greater things, this was a great group of additions. We have a lot of talent, and Terry Porter’s method has us all uplifted and ready to move forward.”

And while Stoudemire said he had no problems with outgoing coach Mike D’Antoni and wished him well in New York, he was often outspoken in word — if not deed — that the Suns needed to focus more on the defensive end and hone those skills in practice. He feels the addition of Porter is a big step in that direction.

“His focus and determination on how to win a title and what it takes to get there … it’s been great for myself and the rest of the team to see,” he said. “We won a lot of games and we’ve been one of the best offensive teams for a few years, but it hasn’t gotten us over the top. It hasn’t gotten us where we want to go, and (a new philosophy) can get us there. “I’m ready for intense practices. I’m prepared to do whatever is necessary. I want to be the guy the other teams have to fear as a defender.”

Stoudemire said he has no second thoughts about his decision not to play with Team USA this summer, saying it was important for him to rest after the long season and get his knees back to 100 percent moving forward.

Two years ago, he was a first-team All-NBA center. Last year, he was sixth in the Most Valuable Player voting — and never really felt 100 percent in either case. Now?

“I’m at 2 percent body fat and 245 pounds and my (knees) … I feel like I can do anything I want on the court again,” he said. “That’s a great feeling, and if I needed to make the decision for the long-term goal of having a long career, the Olympics will hopefully be there down the road.”

Stoudemire still got in his share of traveling. There was a vacation to London and then a trip to West Africa, where his foundation is part of a project to refurbish water wells in Sierra Leone.

“There are so many kids there … all they want to do is have the opportunity to go to school, but it’s not there for all of them,” he said. “We have to make sure that they have a chance to grow their minds.”
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Source: East Valley Tribune

Shapecity · Sep 12, 2008

On Sunday night, Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver used a break during the Mercury game to check in on his other basketball team's star.

Amaré Stoudemire had clocked in for a 400-shot workout at the US Airways Center practice court, but Sarver's view was obstructed by a midcourt curtain, allowing him only to see balls coming off the rim like theater popcorn.

But the misfires were from Stoudemire's crew, not the hands of the Suns star, who had made 71 percent of his shots.
"It got me a little nervous," Sarver told Stoudemire.

Stoudemire's recent words and actions might alleviate nerves for those invested monetarily or emotionally in the Suns.

He is talking about and working on his defense. He declares his passion for the game to be at an all-time high, bringing him to the court morning and night most weekdays. He is raving about his new coach, Terry Porter, and teammates.

He is worry-free about his surgically repaired knees. And his good effort has extended off the court, having just returned from a week in Sierra Leone to be part of a project to rehabilitate water wells that he helped fund.

"People say they prayed for me every single day," Stoudemire said. "We were greeted with dances, cheers and tears. It was a life-changing experience for me. They struggle, yet they still have joy."

Stoudemire's joy comes in finding more basketball potential to tap. Sporting a "frohawk" hairstyle, he acts as his own smack-talking foe ("STAT, you can't miss two in a row, let alone three!") and motivator ("It feels good coming off my hands") as he calls out that he is shooting from "kill spots."

"I feel fit and fierce," he said. "My health is tremendous. I have no worries about extra work. Before, I never wanted to overwork. I always wanted to do more, but I was coming back from injuries. I can do whatever I want on the court without second-guessing now."

Stoudemire said watching the U.S. team win the Olympic gold medal last month did not cause any second-guessing, either. Stoudemire was included in the national team program during his knee rehabilitation and would have had a spot in Beijing if he wanted it. He said his withdrawal this summer was not health-related.

"It had more to do with rest," Stoudemire said. "I love those guys. I love Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski). I love all of the coaching staff. I just had to make an executive decision to rest up.

"When you're playing year-round four straight years, even though I had surgeries, playing year-round takes a toll on the your body, whether folks know it or see it or not. I want to make sure I maintain a long career. Hopefully, I'll be blessed enough to be back in the Olympics in 2012."

Stoudemire is equally sure about the Suns front office's decisions to hire Porter as head coach and pick up Robin Lopez, Matt Barnes and Goran Dragic.

"I couldn't be more ecstatic about the decision," Stoudemire said of the Porter hire. "He's very organized. He knows what it takes to win. He wants to be the champion. That falls into the category of the Stoudemire brand and also the Phoenix Suns brand. We want to be champions, whatever it takes to do it."

It will take more defense from Stoudemire, for starters.

"I want to be Ron Artest," Stoudemire said, explaining the focus of his recent work on defense, along with efficiency in his offensive moves. "I want to be that guy you fear when you see him guarding you."

After placing sixth in last season's MVP voting, Stoudemire is intent on improving the team's sixth-place finish in the West. Coming off a first-round playoff exit, Stoudemire said Phoenix's first NBA title is his top goal, and this is the best Suns team in his tenure.

"Expectations are higher than they've ever been," he said. "As I improve and I get better, we get better. I have no problem putting the total weight and everything we have on my shoulders. If we lose, I have no problem taking that burden. If we win, just make sure you guys give props where props are due. We're ready."
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Source: AZCentral

GMJ · Sep 12, 2008

FierceNYC.org

hm.....

DennisRodman · Sep 12, 2008

“I’m at 2 percent body fat and 245 pounds and my (knees) … I feel like I can do anything I want on the court again,” he said.
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I call shenanigans.

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