Every season it seems, Amar’e Stoudemire claims to have dipped himself in the fountain of youth.
(Or, perhaps, it’s just the wine talking.)
STAT inked a one-year deal with the Miami Heat this summer, and says his body feels so good that he thinks he can regain his All-Star form.
Stoudemire, 32, is coming off season averages of 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 59 games split between the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.
Per the AP:
So getting acclimated to being part of the Heat, that won’t be a big deal for the forward who will be entering his 14th NBA season — and first with Miami — when training camp opens in about a month. He knows many of his new teammates such as Wade, Bosh and Dragic. He knows the city, and most of all he thinks that he can rekindle the All-Star form he had not long ago. […] “We can be a really good team,” Stoudemire said. “No one thought that the Golden State Warriors would be champions this time last year. We knew they’d be a really good team, but no one thought they’d be world champions. With us, we know we’re a really good team. No one thinks we can be world champions, but you never know.”
For Stoudemire, while it won’t officially start for a few more weeks, prepping for 2015-16 in reality started long ago. He’s taking care of his body, but also said he believes that Heat President Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra have the right formula to both extend the careers of veteran players while also getting the best from them. […] “From playing against Miami, the thing that you learn is that they always have a competitive spirit,” Stoudemire said. “There’s an aura around here that everyone works hard, that you have to be in top shape which is great because I want to be in the best shape of my life going into this season. I want to surprise the world and have a very, very productive year.”
But he’s played in only 200 games (out of a possible 312) in the four years since, and still isn’t entirely certain what his role will be with the Heat. […] “Just four years ago I was an MVP candidate and an All-Star,” Stoudemire said. “I feel like I can still get back to that All-Star level of play. If I can achieve that, then that’s going to help the team in its entirety. … I will accept whatever the role is.”
