Celtics Updates

"On Wednesday, the Knicks received the kind of news they can least afford to have: MRI exams showed that Amar'e Stoudemire has a pulled muscle in his back and Chauncey Billups has a strained left knee, according to ESPNNewYork.com."

Also that report on Shaq being out for the playoffs was wrong, Doc said he can play Sunday.

Well I kind of figured Amare would play, but I also figured Billups would be out. That's good for the Celtics as we saw Rondo completely abuse Toney Douglas' lack of defense. i know Amare is still sore with a torn back muscle so if I were KG or Jermaine I would go at him early and often to see how he responds to it. As for Shaq, I has no idea what to think anymore, I'm just going to look the other way and pretend like this problem doesn't exist.

Knicks Already Falling Apart

Well, this sure didn't take long...

The Knicks' prized free agent acquisition (Amare Stoudemire) was livid after Sunday night's loss to the Rockets that came two days after a meltdown in Minnesota, where New York blew a 21-point lead in a loss to the Timberwolves. "I don't understand why we're not playing with the urgency. ... It's almost as if it doesn't matter," Stoudemire said after the team's fifth straight loss. "Maybe it's the fact that the winning mentality has never been here. I'm used to winning. Used to talking about winning. We just can't have guys complacent and comfortable with losing. I keep saying that (WEEI)."

Knicks are a tough team to figure out. On certain nights they can light you up, but they are just as likely to get blown out. Actually, it really isn't that hard to figure out. They don't play any defense, so unless they are on fire there is no shot for them winning.

Stoudemire probably needs to be the leader of this team, but he has to be one of the softest big men in the league on defense. I have seen 2-3 Knicks games this year and for someone with his size and ability he sure has no impact on defense. A lot of times I feel he is running away from contact, so maybe he should look in the mirror before blowing up on his team.

So What's The Deal With All This Amare Being Jewish Stuff?

Amare Stoudimire is in Israel right now, tracing back his Jewish roots.

The five-time NBA All-Star who recently signed with the New York Knicks is on a weeklong visit to learn about Israel, its language and religions. He believes he has "Hebrew roots" through his mother, Carrie.

"She studied the Scriptures and history and she believes she is a Hebrew," he told The Associated Press Friday in Jerusalem. "I grew up in a very spiritual home. It's not about religion, it's about spirituality for me." ESPN

Ummmmm. I don't mean to sound racist here but I just don't see a 7 foot black guy from Florida as being jewish. Call me crazy but he just doesn't fit the mold. I personally think of religion as a choice, so if that's the case, I'm all for it. I just don't believe he was raised in a Jewish household. Another thing also is that this is the first year he ever mentioned it, so I'm a little skeptical on that.

I wonder if he's going to be a frequent at Murrays bagels in NY.

Chris Paul's Plan

"During Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony's wedding reception Saturday night in New York, Hornets guard Chris Paul reportedly made a toast in which he got in a playful jab at buddy LeBron James, saying, "We'll form our own Big Three," referring to himself, Anthony and new Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire (WEEI)."

This is interesting since all the news coming from the Nuggets states that Carmelo will ink a new deal before the season starts, because he wants to get paid before the new CBA comes out. Yet, after what Miami did, I really can't say this won't happen. If they were able to get these 3 guys together, it could be a very nice lineup for the Knicks. Paul is a great distributor, Melo is an elite scorer, and when Amare wants to be he is a great inside presence. I am sure we will hear a lot more rumors about this, but I still expect Melo to stay in Denver.

Amare To Knicks

Amare Stoudemire went to the Knicks yesterday on a 5 year 100 million dollar deal. I think they overpayed for the big man (figuring if you matched the stats from last year Amare had 23 points and 9 boards and David Lee had 20 points and 12 boards for half the price) but the Knicks were obligated to spend big on someone especially since they wasted the last 2 seasons clearing cap space.

Stoudemire once thrived in a Mike D'Antoni run and gun system and if you match him with a decent PG it will make everyones life that much easier. Amare has already made a call to Melo and Tony Parker to come join him, and if that somehow happens the Knicks could easily jump to a 2 or 3 seed. It will be very interesting on how the Knicks fill out the rest of the roster but at least Amare is a start.

Breaking News: Suns Sign Hakim Warrick

Suns agreed to terms on a four-year, $18 million deal with free agent forward Hakim Warrick, according to multiple sources. This could be the final nail in the coffin for the Amare Stoudemire era in Phoenix.

Warrick isn't a great player, but he could eat up some of the blocks the Suns are used to getting from Amare. I always liked Warrick, but I also thought he would be a lot better then he is. Basically, this just means the Suns are in a lot of trouble next year, and the West is a complete fucking joke other then the Lakers (and maybe Nuggets?).

Amare Stoudemire Leaving Suns

Suns owner Robert Sarver and coach Alvin Gentry will make final pitch to Amare Stoudemire at meeting in L.A. tomorrow, but rumor has it the Suns are unwilling to give him a max contract, and Amare is unwilling to sign for anything less. Stoudemire also has concerns that the Suns won't make the financial commitment in to win a Championship. Add that all up and it looks like he is out the door.

My guess is that he goes to the Heat. He would be a nice addition to a team that should have Wade back. Also, he owns a place in Miami, so that could make it very convenient. Another rumor is that he could go to the Knicks to reunite with Mike D'Anonti.

Amare To Suns: "Sign Me Long Term Or I'm Out"

Amare Stoudemire will opt out of the final year of his contract if he doesn't re-sign with the Phoenix Suns before the deadline at the end of this month. He is looking for a max deal for 6 years that would be worth $127 million.

Maybe I am the only one, but I don't think I would give that to him. He doesn't play defense, he's not that long removed from microfracture and retina surgery, and there are really only a couple players I would give that deal to (Lebron, Wade, Howard, Durant, Kobe).

Still, this puts the Suns in a tough spot. They really can't afford to lose him, but at the same time they could roll the dice and try to land other big free agents if he was to leave. I have a weird feeling that we have seen Amare's last game in a Suns' uniform.

Here is a True Story About A Mom

Talk about a bad time to get a DUI:
Carrie Mae Stoudemire, 54, was stopped at 3:25 p.m. after her Lincoln Navigator was straddling two lanes and going 60 mph, according to the Scottsdale police report. Her eyes were "watery and glassy," according to the officer. ESPN

This has to be somewhat of a distraction for Amare (who has been exchanging barbs with Lamar Odom) and the Phoenix Suns who are already down 0-1 to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals (why is that pluralized). But this goes back to the old statistics I was talking about when I talked before. Amare's mom has been in and out of jail his whole career for drunk driving, prostitution and drug possession (crack). So it's good to see he made it out of that lifestyle.

Heat Trying Everything To Get Amare Stoudemire

There are many teams rumored to be going after Amare (Philly, Pistons, Nets, Chicago, Washington, Cleveland, Sacramento), but it is the Heat who really seem to be making a move to land him. The Heat are rumored to have offered combinations of young talent in Michael Beasley and Dorell Wright along with the expiring contracts of Quentin Richardson and Jermaine O'Neal, and also their first-round pick in this year's draft.

The Suns are getting rid of Amare, because they really don't think they can resign him. The Heat will have lots of space this offseason, so the deal kind of makes sense. I would totally do this if I was the Suns. Beasley is a hell of a young talent, and on top of that you get some expiring contract (not to mention a draft pick)? Seems like a great deal to me. To be honest I think the Heat would be giving up too much in that deal, but I can't argue that the combination of Amare and Wade terrifies me.

Amare Stoudemire To Timberwolves? (UPDATED)

"An NBA executive told The Boston Globe on Wednesday that the Minnesota Timberwolves are working on a deal that would send Al Jefferson and the No. 6 pick in next week's NBA draft to the Phoenix Suns for Amare Stoudemire (ESPN)."

It is an interesting deal, but if I was the Suns I still don't think I would do it. I am not that high on this year's draft class (other then the top pick), and Big Al is just too fragile. The Suns would like to move Stoudemire, but they also don't want to sell themselves short. There will be a lot of rumors, and I believe this one. I just don't see the Timberwolves being able to pull it off.


***UPDATE***

It looks like it was the Suns that were actually trying to pull off this deal and were turned down by the Timberwolves....yea I am shocked too.

"Another source said today that the Suns made the trade offer to the Wolves recently and were turned down. The source added that the Wolves new general manager David Kahn has even called Jefferson, an ex-Celtic, to tell him the trade would not happen. As for Stoudemire, the cost-cutting Suns definitely seem interesting in moving him and his hefty salary (Boston.com).

Stoudemire Out For 8 Weeks

Well this finally does it, the Suns are not going to make the playoffs. It was announced today that Amare Stoudemire was forced to undergo eye surgery to repair a partially detached retina and will miss at least 8 weeks. This is the second time Amare has had to undergo eye surgery since October. The Suns were rumored in a lot of deal, but made no major moves at the trade deadline. They ruined this team when they added Shaq, and now they are old, and their only true future can't stay on the court. It is really sad how far this team has fallen.

Stoudemire to Portland?

"The Portland Trail Blazers have made a strong play for Amare Stoudemire, discussing a package that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LaFrentz's $12.7 million expiring contract, a person with direct knowledge of the talks told CBSSports.com Tuesday (Sportsline)."

What a move for the Trail Blazers if they could get this deal done. The combination of Roy and Stoudemire would be insane, and if Oden can make some progress they would really be a threat in the West. This move is being pushed by Portland after Memphis picked up Miles, which really fucked them for cap space going into free agency, but if the Suns want to completely rebuild getting LaFrentz's expiring contract, and LaMarcus Aldridge would be a great start.

Amare Stoudemrie Being Shopped?

The Phoenix Suns are officially shopping Shaq and Amare Stoudemire to make cap room.

A little confused on this one. Amare may be the best power forward in the NBA and the Suns future should rely on him and him only. He has done nothing but play hard and be a force for the Suns and they are looking to shop him to dump salary. The Bulls are the front runner now with a deal including Tyrus Thomas and a bunch of scrubs not named Gordan, Deng or Heinrich. If the deal somehow was able to be struck the Bulls would then have a legitimate team with Stoudemire and the three fore mentioned players.