Kori Ellis
05-31-2005, 12:28 AM
Stoudemire finds defense
Web Posted: 05/31/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA053105.3S.BKNsuns.stoudemire.2c84c6692.html
For three years, Joe Johnson and the rest of the Phoenix Suns had watched Amare Stoudemire blind onlookers with his quickness, defy gravity with his leaping ability and rattle rim after rim with his ferocious slam-dunks.
Defense was another story. But even though Stoudemire rarely provided his teammates a glimpse of his aptitude at that end of the floor, they always suspected it was there.
"We knew he had it in him," Johnson said. "You look at everything he does on the offensive end. Why can't he make a big play on defense?"
On Monday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, Stoudemire finally showed the Suns — and more importantly, Tim Duncan and the Spurs — what they had been missing.
In the span of just over a minute at the end of the Suns' 111-106 victory at the SBC Center, Stoudemire stole the ball from Duncan. Rejected a Duncan dunk attempt. Then, addressing another perceived hole in his game, he soared for a huge rebound to put the game away and prevent what would have been a four-game sweep.
"It was an unbelievable two minutes for him," Phoenix guard Steve Nash said of an outburst that also included six points for Stoudemire. "Even as teammates, we just were in awe. He was all over the place."
Stoudemire finished with 31 points, five rebounds and only the one blocked shot. But that block came at a pivotal moment.
With the Spurs trailing by three and less than 40 seconds remaining, Duncan took the ball on the left block and spun toward the rim. With his arm already coming down for what looked like would be a one-handed dunk, Stoudemire got a hand on the ball and swatted it away.
The Spurs argued it should have been called goaltending. Stoudemire said it should have been expected.
"Those are plays that needed to happen down the stretch," Stoudemire said. "We needed some stops and I stepped up."
His team knew it was more than that. Nash called the block "incredible." Johnson said, "It got everybody excited." Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said it was "just extra force, extra gear."
And from the Suns' perspective, it was especially encouraging because it wasn't the only time Stoudemire showed some grit.
"Beyond the spectacular plays he made, it was the loose balls and the rebounds," Nash said. "He was all over the place from one corner to the other and (showed) just an incredible toughness mentally and physically. I think he really raised his game a level."
Stoudemire, who is averaging 35.7 points per game against the Spurs in the conference finals, played Monday's game with a hyperextended right elbow he suffered in the third quarter of Game 3.
But that didn't stop him from taking what he hopes is a step toward a long career as a multidimensional force.
"As my years progress," Stoudemire said, "I'm pretty sure I can become a better defensive player."
After Monday, he no longer has to convince the Spurs.
Web Posted: 05/31/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA053105.3S.BKNsuns.stoudemire.2c84c6692.html
For three years, Joe Johnson and the rest of the Phoenix Suns had watched Amare Stoudemire blind onlookers with his quickness, defy gravity with his leaping ability and rattle rim after rim with his ferocious slam-dunks.
Defense was another story. But even though Stoudemire rarely provided his teammates a glimpse of his aptitude at that end of the floor, they always suspected it was there.
"We knew he had it in him," Johnson said. "You look at everything he does on the offensive end. Why can't he make a big play on defense?"
On Monday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, Stoudemire finally showed the Suns — and more importantly, Tim Duncan and the Spurs — what they had been missing.
In the span of just over a minute at the end of the Suns' 111-106 victory at the SBC Center, Stoudemire stole the ball from Duncan. Rejected a Duncan dunk attempt. Then, addressing another perceived hole in his game, he soared for a huge rebound to put the game away and prevent what would have been a four-game sweep.
"It was an unbelievable two minutes for him," Phoenix guard Steve Nash said of an outburst that also included six points for Stoudemire. "Even as teammates, we just were in awe. He was all over the place."
Stoudemire finished with 31 points, five rebounds and only the one blocked shot. But that block came at a pivotal moment.
With the Spurs trailing by three and less than 40 seconds remaining, Duncan took the ball on the left block and spun toward the rim. With his arm already coming down for what looked like would be a one-handed dunk, Stoudemire got a hand on the ball and swatted it away.
The Spurs argued it should have been called goaltending. Stoudemire said it should have been expected.
"Those are plays that needed to happen down the stretch," Stoudemire said. "We needed some stops and I stepped up."
His team knew it was more than that. Nash called the block "incredible." Johnson said, "It got everybody excited." Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said it was "just extra force, extra gear."
And from the Suns' perspective, it was especially encouraging because it wasn't the only time Stoudemire showed some grit.
"Beyond the spectacular plays he made, it was the loose balls and the rebounds," Nash said. "He was all over the place from one corner to the other and (showed) just an incredible toughness mentally and physically. I think he really raised his game a level."
Stoudemire, who is averaging 35.7 points per game against the Spurs in the conference finals, played Monday's game with a hyperextended right elbow he suffered in the third quarter of Game 3.
But that didn't stop him from taking what he hopes is a step toward a long career as a multidimensional force.
"As my years progress," Stoudemire said, "I'm pretty sure I can become a better defensive player."
After Monday, he no longer has to convince the Spurs.