Amar'e Stoudemire Retirement News & Updates: How the Power Forward Revitalized the New York Knicks – Will 6-Time NBA All-Star Play For China or Israel?
It was a sad day for the New York Knicks fans after Amar'e Stoudemire announced his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday. The 33-year-old power forward, who played with the Miami Heat last season, ended his 14-year NBA career as a member of the Knicks.
Stoudemire is Always a Knick
The Knicks released a statement announcing that Stoudemire officially finished his professional basketball career in the NBA after signing his final contract with the team, where he played from 2010 to 2015. In the statement, Stoudemire expressed his gratitude to Knicks owner Jim Dolan, team President Phil Jackson and General Manager Steve Mills for letting him ink a contract to officially end his NBA career as a member of the franchise.
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"I came to New York in 2010 to help revitalize this franchise and we did just that," Stoudemire stated. "Although my career has taken me to other places around the country, my heart had always remained in the Big Apple. Once a Knick, Always a Knick," he added.
Moreover, Mills stated that Stoudemire has been the face of the Knicks during his stay with the franchise because of his excellent performance on the court and his dedication to the league and to the fans worldwide. "When Amar'e asked us to retire as a Knick, we were honored to oblige," he disclosed.
Aside from the Knicks, Stoudemire spent his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns (2002-2010), the Dallas Mavericks (2015) and the Heat (2015-2016). He averaged 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks. He was also a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection and the 2003 Rookie of the Year.
How Stoudemire Helped in Revitalizing The Knicks
Stoudemire attained almost all of his remarkable NBA achievements while playing with the Suns, however, he has been credited with revitalizing the Knicks after he was signed in 2010. According to the Bleacher Report, the NBA star showed a lot of promise as an MVP candidate during his first year with the Knicks after averaging 26.1 points, 2.7 assists, and 8.6 rebounds.
But after revitalizing the Knicks on his first year, Stoudemire's performance started to decline because of his back and knee injuries. He was absent in most of the games in the succeeding seasons after the Knicks decided to let him go in 2015.
Frank Isola of New York Daily News commented that Stoudemire did not have a great ending with the Knicks. However, when it comes to revitalizing the franchise, Stoudemire deserves the credit.
"He gave the Knicks all he had, which in the end wasn't much. But for 54 games during that first season in New York, Amar'e Stoudemire was true to his word. The Knicks were back," he wrote.
Stoudemire to Play Overseas?
Marc Stein of ESPN tweeted that Stoudemire may play overseas after ending his NBA career. He said the retired NBA star is currently contemplating about a lucrative offer from China. Stein also added that Stoudemire has an option to play for Hapoel Jerusalem, an Israeli team that he co-owns.
