Amare Stoudemire To Continue Working Out With Hakeem Olajuwon
As many other NBA players, Amar’e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks has previously worked out with Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon. According to an ESPN report, the two will continue the partnership this August.
Lessons with Hakeem are by no means cheap — he charges $50,000 per week for private workouts — but it’s not as if Stoudemire cannot afford it. Amar’e still has over $40 million left on his huge contract with the Knicks, so he can most certainly afford it.
Stoudemire could definitely use Olajuwon’s help. Improving his post game would help the Knicks a lot, especially if Stoudemire was to be inserted into the starting lineup next season. When healthy, Tyson Chandler (who might, or might not join Stoudemire in seeking Olajuwon’s help), is an excellent pick-and-roll center, and that is part of the reason why the two have not been able to play effectively together. Add to that the fact that Carmelo Anthony loves to isolate on the wing and throw up mid-range jumpers, and there is very little space for Stoudemire to operate. Developing a consistent low post game and putting it to use would definitely help him.
Stoudemire is coming off yet another season filled with injuries. He played in just 33 games this season, including playoffs, but was quite effective off the bench for New York when he did play.