Amar’e Stoudemire retires as member of New York Knicks

Amar’e Stoudemire has signed his final contract today to retire from the NBA as a member of the New York Knicks.

Amar’e Stoudemire is one of the players in NBA history who will always be remembered with the phrase, “what if he stayed healthy?” Various injuries and so many knee concerns have caused him to play 80 games in just four of his 14 seasons, limiting his impact, reliability, and ultimately longevity. Now, he’s retiring at only 33 years old after signing a one-day deal to go out as a member of the New York Knicks.

It’s somewhat surprising to see Stoudemire choose the Knicks as his final team. He spent the majority of his career with the Phoenix Suns, earning five of his six career All-Star appearances with the team and showcasing his high-flying talent as the terrifying pick-and-roll partner of Steve Nash.

Instead, as was included in the official Knicks press release, Stoudemire felt drawn to his time in New York. “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.”

In five seasons with the Knicks (the fifth broken up after he was waived in February of 2015), Stoudemire had his final All-Star honor in 2010-11 by averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. Shooting 50.2 percent from the field to continue his play as an efficient scorer — a trademark of his career after retiring with a 53.7 field goal percentage — not to mention playing in 78 games, it was a great season, although his career sadly went downhill from there.

The injuries increased, forcing him to reach 60 games played in only one of his final six seasons. His scoring output rapidly decreased as mid-range shooting wasn’t enough to salvage his game that’s always been built around athletic finishes at the rim and relentless pick-and-roll play.

During his five years with the Knicks before they waived him and his injury ridden legs, Stoudemire averaged 17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

However, it’s important to remember how formidable he was in Phoenix before injuries sadly damaged an excellent career. Alongside Nash’s pick-and-roll play and explosive drives and finishes at the rim, Stoudemire averaged 21.4 points per game with the Suns, earning a career-high 26 in 2004-05.

Now, we’re left with the question of whether Amar’e Stoudemire’s career will be capped off with Hall of Fame honors.