http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/427...up_or_ship_out/ <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mike D?Antoni and Amar? Stoudemire had a discussion two weeks ago in Italy, where the coach told the player that he needs to dedicate himself 100 percent to the club, otherwise he won't be playing. This message was endorsed by owner Robert Sarver. ?Mike had had enough,? said a source familiar with the situation. Stoudemire has not missed a workout or complained about pain in the knee ever since the meeting. ?People can say what they want but nobody knows what kind of pain I have in my body but me,? Stoudemire said. ?Nobody knows what I can and can?t do but me.? Some members of the organization feel that he wasn't participating the way he should during a Tuesday shootaround. During that evening's game, he played 18 minutes.</div> I don't know who's side to take on this. But all I will say is that if this is true about Amare not working hard or participating as much as he should, that is a big problem. If it's true, which it looks to be, I don't get what is running through Amare's head. He was a star on the rise to be a superstar before this injury, then he finally gets to come back a year later and he doesn't work hard or participate? What the hell is up with that? In closing, his preseason numbers look pretty good for the minutes he's getting, so hopefull that continues. But I still don't understand.
About D'Antoni: He pushed him to work harder, nice job coach. He's just motivating him.About Amare: It's talking about 2 weeks ago and since then it said he hasn't missed a practice or anything. He's obviously going to need breaks in between and to take it slowly but he's been doing good. If he hasn't been working hard then he wouldn't be doing as good as he has been in the preseason games. He's surpassed all expectations for right now.
I understand where D'Antoni is coming from and everything, but if Amare says he can't go because his knee is bothering him, then I think they should listen to him instead of criticizing him for not "working hard," etc. I mean, sure, I don't really know whether it's really bothering him or if he's just using it as an excuse, but that goes for everybody else as well. Like Amare said, he is the only person who TRULY knows how his knee and his body feel.If I were in the Suns organization I would definitely want Amare back ASAP and want him to be back practicing and going at 100%, but I'd also take as many precautions as I could. The kid is so young, and he's coming back from microfracture knee surgery... a procedure that has ended/slowed down the careers of many top players. Take it easy... no need to risk his future (and that of the organization) THAT much.Like ASUFan said, there will surely be times during the season where he'll need to sit out practices and games because of the knee just as a precaution. Look at Webber... sure, he's old and everything, but even this past season (when he looked to be as close to 100% as he'll ever be after the surgery), the Sixers still held him out of practices and games when they had to.All I'm saying is that D'Antoni needs to motivate him, but he also needs to see where Amare is coming from... I'm sure Amare is also having some mental setbacks as well. Anybody who has ever come back from a big injury knows it takes time to get over it mentally, and often times that is tougher than overcoming it physically.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Originally Posted by eastvalleytribuneAlthough the left knee will eventually need more work because microfracture is a temporary fix, not a solution, Suns doctor Tom Carter thinks the right knee will be a greater immediate issue because Stoudemire has chronic arthritis in it.?He?s going to have to cope with periodic flare-ups,? Carter said.</div> Wow...never knew that he had chronic arthritis...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clangus @ Oct 18 2006, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Despite all the talk about what a nasty injury it is I believe it is in his head.</div>At least partly. If he's explosive one day and passive the next, he's just not doing what he's capable of. I mean, there's even reports that he's explosive one play and loses it the next. That's not how he's gonna get back to his dominant self.
You also have to take into account that he had microfracture surgery, so he won't be 100% healthy for atleast another year or two, if ever. If I were in his position I would definitely be cautious (look how young he is, and all the potential he has), and I definitely can see why it would be tougher mentally than overcoming other basketball related injuries. Just take a look at the list of players who have had the surgery, and how they have never really been the same since, and that would scare anybody.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigMo763 @ Oct 31 2006, 02:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You also have to take into account that he had microfracture surgery, so he won't be 100% healthy for atleast another year or two, if ever. If I were in his position I would definitely be cautious (look how young he is, and all the potential he has), and I definitely can see why it would be tougher mentally than overcoming other basketball related injuries. Just take a look at the list of players who have had the surgery, and how they have never really been the same since, and that would scare anybody.</div>EXCEPT Jason Kidd, he came back VERY well. But I agree, the list isn't too good, and the injury is supposedly extremely painful and takes up to 2 years to really become healthy.What bothers me about Amare is that his other knee is fu*ked up, too. That is going to be a major problem, as for awhile he will put too much strain on non-microfracture leg to compensate for the microfracture leg.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Oct 31 2006, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>EXCEPT Jason Kidd, he came back VERY well. But I agree, the list isn't too good, and the injury is supposedly extremely painful and takes up to 2 years to really become healthy.What bothers me about Amare is that his other knee is fu*ked up, too. That is going to be a major problem, as for awhile he will put too much strain on non-microfracture leg to compensate for the microfracture leg.</div>I wouldn't really say that Kidd is the same player he was before the surgery. Yeah, he's still one of the top point guards in the league, but he lost some speed, etc., after the surgery, but then again he is getting older anyway.It does take a few years to fully heal, or at least get as close to 100% as you possibly can after the surgery. Look at Chris Webber last season... not the same player, but his knee didn't bother him as much as in the past.I also agree that Amare should be careful with his other knee. If he overcompensates, that will screw his other knee up... he just needs to be careful and not try to go out there and dunk on everybody from the start. Take everything in stride and eventually he'll be back to his dominant self...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigMo763 @ Oct 31 2006, 07:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I wouldn't really say that Kidd is the same player he was before the surgery. Yeah, he's still one of the top point guards in the league, but he lost some speed, etc., after the surgery, but then again he is getting older anyway.</div>Coming from NJ, watching most Nets games, I can tell you he has lost very little. He is still quick, still runs the break as good as anyone else not named Nash, and as you said, still a top PG in the league.
