ducks
11-24-2006, 10:18 AM
Stoudemire still faces hurdles
Suns star benched late in past 2 games: 'I just feel a little out of sync. It'll come,' he says
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 24, 2006 12:00 AM
The last time - and only other time - Amaré Stoudemire came off a scoreless game, he shut down his season in March and headed for the operating table a few days later.
His knees do not ache this time but the delicate process of reincorporating Stoudemire could use some healing. He did not score in 21 minutes Wednesday and saw the game's final 16 minutes from the bench.
It was much like Monday's finish at Golden State, where he sat out the final nine minutes by coach's decision. He was disengaged offensively, like Saturday in Utah when he had one shot in his final 14 1/2 minutes before fouling out. advertisement
Against New Orleans on Wednesday, Stoudemire took only one shot and had it blocked by Tyson Chandler. He gathered it back and dished nicely to Boris Diaw for only his fourth assist in 11 games. He missed his only two free throws, a daily reminder of his year away (he is making 66 percent at the line). He turned the ball over twice in a minute during the Suns' driest offensive spell.
Stoudemire drew the ire of Steve Nash in the third quarter for failing to be where he was supposed to be on help defense. And perhaps worst of all, Stoudemire appeared to vent angrily at his team and coach during a second-half huddle.
After the game, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni cited Stoudemire's ongoing illness and a sore throat for his struggles. He has been sick and frequently does not play well when his practices are sluggish. But raspiness was not the only quality of Stoudemire's voice after Wednesday's game.
In fact, he said the sore throat did not limit him at all.
"I was good to go," said Stoudemire, who averaged 19 points in the previous six starts. Asked about playing time, he said, "Whatever's clever, however Coach D'Antoni wants to play it. That's totally on him."
He left most questions unanswered and wanted to leave the topic and head for the holiday, lastly adding, "I just feel a little out of sync. It'll come."
Patience is repeatedly preached for Stoudemire, coming off two knee surgeries since October 2005. That goes for the coaches, his teammates, the media and the fans, too.
D'Antoni has said that he believes the team could take off in January if it stays around .500 as it works through its chemistry issues.
When Stoudemire was rolling, Diaw struggled. As Diaw's numbers increased the past two games, Stoudemire's impact has dwindled. They may play with polar opposite styles and personalities, but both need the ball and like to have it at the elbow.
"Until we get our mojo back and start feeling better about ourselves, we just have to find a way to win," D'Antoni said.
Phoenix, on a 4-1 run without looking like a hot team, could get to .500 tonight with a home win against New Jersey.
Recently, the Suns have found the formula that produced last season's 54 wins and a repeat visit to the conference finals.
"A lot of times it depends on matchups, but obviously the guys who played together last year have a great familiarity," Nash said. "We want to incorporate everybody, but we've got to be good, too."
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1124suns1124.html
Suns star benched late in past 2 games: 'I just feel a little out of sync. It'll come,' he says
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 24, 2006 12:00 AM
The last time - and only other time - Amaré Stoudemire came off a scoreless game, he shut down his season in March and headed for the operating table a few days later.
His knees do not ache this time but the delicate process of reincorporating Stoudemire could use some healing. He did not score in 21 minutes Wednesday and saw the game's final 16 minutes from the bench.
It was much like Monday's finish at Golden State, where he sat out the final nine minutes by coach's decision. He was disengaged offensively, like Saturday in Utah when he had one shot in his final 14 1/2 minutes before fouling out. advertisement
Against New Orleans on Wednesday, Stoudemire took only one shot and had it blocked by Tyson Chandler. He gathered it back and dished nicely to Boris Diaw for only his fourth assist in 11 games. He missed his only two free throws, a daily reminder of his year away (he is making 66 percent at the line). He turned the ball over twice in a minute during the Suns' driest offensive spell.
Stoudemire drew the ire of Steve Nash in the third quarter for failing to be where he was supposed to be on help defense. And perhaps worst of all, Stoudemire appeared to vent angrily at his team and coach during a second-half huddle.
After the game, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni cited Stoudemire's ongoing illness and a sore throat for his struggles. He has been sick and frequently does not play well when his practices are sluggish. But raspiness was not the only quality of Stoudemire's voice after Wednesday's game.
In fact, he said the sore throat did not limit him at all.
"I was good to go," said Stoudemire, who averaged 19 points in the previous six starts. Asked about playing time, he said, "Whatever's clever, however Coach D'Antoni wants to play it. That's totally on him."
He left most questions unanswered and wanted to leave the topic and head for the holiday, lastly adding, "I just feel a little out of sync. It'll come."
Patience is repeatedly preached for Stoudemire, coming off two knee surgeries since October 2005. That goes for the coaches, his teammates, the media and the fans, too.
D'Antoni has said that he believes the team could take off in January if it stays around .500 as it works through its chemistry issues.
When Stoudemire was rolling, Diaw struggled. As Diaw's numbers increased the past two games, Stoudemire's impact has dwindled. They may play with polar opposite styles and personalities, but both need the ball and like to have it at the elbow.
"Until we get our mojo back and start feeling better about ourselves, we just have to find a way to win," D'Antoni said.
Phoenix, on a 4-1 run without looking like a hot team, could get to .500 tonight with a home win against New Jersey.
Recently, the Suns have found the formula that produced last season's 54 wins and a repeat visit to the conference finals.
"A lot of times it depends on matchups, but obviously the guys who played together last year have a great familiarity," Nash said. "We want to incorporate everybody, but we've got to be good, too."
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1124suns1124.html