It's Amare Day at Bright Side of the Sun

by TexSUN on Aug 9, 2007 2:19 AM MDT in Player Day Features

The next 24-hours of headline space on this blog will be dedicated to Amare Stoudemire. This is subject, of course, to the continuing lack of major news announcements such as "Suns Find Big Man Replacement for Kurt Thomas", or anything else that would naturally be expected to bring our self-proclaimed Amare Day to a premature end. But barring said major announcements, Amare will get the top spot here for the next 24 hours. I don't care if Steve Nash is playing soccer with the locals again in New York, or if Reggie Miller is contemplating un-retirement to play for the Celtics, or if Jermaine O'Neal changes his mind (again) about whether or not he wants to be traded (personally, I think guys who make public trade demands are their own special breed of NBA head case, but I'm not going to write about that either). This is Amare Day, period.

So, why is this Amare Day? Well, there's a lot going on with him right now. Not only is Amare going to help cut the ribbon on the new Suns.com Newsroom approximately 12 hours from now, he's also the subject of a really nice article by Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic. And if all that wasn't enough, he will be featured on the cover of Sony's NBA '08, plus, he'll soon be headed to Las Vegas to practice with Team USA. But those aren't the only reasons this day belongs to him.

Amare has a well-documented history as someone who has not only survived a hellacious childhood, but has also risen above it to overcome virtually any obstacle in his path. I'm thinking one day soon, those vanquished obstacles will include David Stern and the Spurs. In the meantime, it sounds like Amare is really enjoying his summer in the Valley, spending time at school, working out with the Suns' training staff, and even playing some soccer (I reckon it's just a matter of time before the entire team will be making soccer a regular part of their off-season training). Which brings us to the most important reason why this is Amare's day. If the following quote from Boivin's article doesn't make Suns fans smile from ear-to-ear, I don't know what will:

"Why would I leave?" Stoudemire asked Wednesday. "I love it here. Love the fans, the people of Phoenix, the people of Arizona. I get great workouts with the training staff. No way can I do it somewhere else."

So, Bright Side of the Sun will return the love: Today is Amare Day. That is, unless a major news announcement preempts it.

A Few Quick Facts about Amare (from Wikipedia and Amare's web site):

Full Name: Amare Carsares Stoudemire

Birth Date: November 16, 1982 (Lake Wales, Florida)

High School: Cypress Creek High School, Orlando

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 245lbs

Shoe Size: 17

Charity: Amare Stoudemire Foundation, "Each 1, Teach 1"

Official Web Site: ThatsAmare.com

MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/thatsamare

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Well done !

I totally agree with the idea of having Amare Day. He's one of the great players in the NBA and he'll help take the Suns to the championship.

by Son of Steve Nash on Aug 9, 2007 2:35 AM MDT 0 recs

on Amare

I'm not the biggest amare fan, but that was a very positive article on azcentral, and nice to hear. On the big men issue many fans are complaining about, it seems pretty clear the Suns are going to run more than ever this year. I do hope they get pj though.
Great move by Amare :-) to do some cross training, and staying in the community, very cool! That's one area where Nash can't compete with him, but Nash does a lot for other communities and kids, so good for them both. But, I think it has a special edge to it to have the players focus on Phoenix instead of leaving the state each year so quickly as some do.

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 9, 2007 9:30 AM MDT 0 recs

I hear ya!

Amare has incurred my wrath on more than one occasion as well for making comments during interviews that came off as extremely arrogant and immature. That's why I thought it was important to point out the other side of the story. Those quotes in Paola Boivin's article were really awesome, plus it's just nice to hear that he's doing things like going back to school, mingling with the community, and even the soccer because that seems to be something a lot of his teammates are doing and it makes him seem more like one of the guys. I really think in a lot of ways, Amare never really grew up because he never had a proper childhood to begin with. Sometimes he comes across like a little kid trapped inside the body of a 24-year-old man. I think his going back to school will really help a lot. He's getting exposed to a whole different side of life that he's never been a part of before, and I think that's great.

by TexSUN on Aug 9, 2007 9:50 AM MDT up 0 recs

well said..

Also, there's one thing about Amare that's never been in question, and always been a great thing. His ambition and desire to become better, and to win. Hmmmm... coming closer to maybe getting his jersey...hmmm

Later :-)

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 9, 2007 2:59 PM MDT up 0 recs

Woot Wooot!!! STAT

Despite him shooting off his mouth at bad times STAT is indeed the man. He will only get better and I wouldnt be surprised if he gets MVP one day soon.

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on Aug 9, 2007 10:27 AM MDT 0 recs

no question...

I think it's clear, to strong Amare fans, or even so-so Amare fans, that he definitely is MVP caliber, and I agree with you, he's got a great shot at getting it in the next couple of seasons (regardless of his so-so comments sometimes, but, hey, like everyone, he's learning, and I think the thing that stands out the most to me, is that he's playing soccer and going to asu!

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 9, 2007 3:02 PM MDT up 0 recs

ALL HAIL BLACK JESUS!

WE are humble before our omnipotent deity of Arizona, BLACK JESUS! Let us praise Him!

O BLACK JESUS!
How manifold are Thy works!

I like the fact that Bovin mentioned that He is working on his ball-handling this summer. I remember that before knee surgery, B'JE could take it to the hole against just about anyone from 12-15 feet out. This last season, the interruption in his play from the 2005-206 season was evident as he seemed to be adjusting his attack for the slight loss of elevation and explosiveness.

If He can develop that low post game once more, and continue to improve the midrange jumper, and His defense, and stay healthy, then the rest of the NBA may just want to hand over the title right now.

by The Humongous on Aug 9, 2007 10:43 AM MDT 0 recs

Amare Day!!

Happy Amare Day everyone!

by whatisboxhappening on Aug 9, 2007 11:52 AM MDT 0 recs

Black Jesus

In celebration of Amare Day, shouldn't you have included the new logo/catch phrase, "God wants us to win a championship and sent us Black Jesus to do so." ?

I just heard him on the radio and he said he stuck around Phoenix becuase its just easier to do with the training staff, school and kids. He had the chance (Gambo gave him a softball), but didn't take it, to say he was sticking around because he loved the community.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Aug 9, 2007 2:56 PM MDT 0 recs