The Amare Stoudemire Project
Photo. Jonathan MannionIn Shaq‘s introductory press conference as a member of the Phoenix Suns, his main points were that he wants to “just fit in,” he can run with this team and likes to run, and that he’s made it his goal to help Amare Stoudemire develop into the best power forward in the game.
“This is The Amare Stoudemire project,” Shaq said, flanked by a cheesing Steve Kerr and a giddy/unfunny Mike D’Antoni. Shaq noted that he’s helped other players make it to “the next level” throughout his career — presumably D-Wade, Penny and Kobe. Shaq said he wants to make all of the Suns better, but that it’s hard to make Steve Nash better because he’s one of the greatest point guards of all-time.
Other highlights of the press conference from Shaq (who will wear #32):
* He promised he won’t be asking for 30-40 touches a game.
* “People say, ‘He can’t run, he can’t do this.’ You’re gonna be very surprised.”
* Every fast breaking team needs someone to ignite the break, and he can be that guy. If he doesn’t get the rebound, he’ll try to be the first man down the court.
* “I look forward to making people eat their words.”
* “When I’m upset I’ve been known to do certain things like win championships.”
* He joked that he’s healthy and wants a $200-million extension for two years. Again, joking.
* “I’m the assistant vice general manager of this team.”
* He didn’t throw the Heat under the bus, unlike KG did with the Wolves in his Boston press conference.
* Steve Kerr and Shaq reminisced about when he was playing in Orlando and pulled down the rim in Phoenix.
* He declined to guarantee a championship, but talked a lot about winning two ‘chips with the Suns.
* The press conference closed with the dumbest question of the day: “Has anyone told you that you look good in purple?” OK, next…
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February 7th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
YOUNGFED says:
THE RETURN OF SUPERMAN IS HERE!!!
“Ya boy is back” – Jay-Z.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
skywarp says:
OMG i believe shaq!! come on man dont let me down!
suns doesnt need shaq during the season so he can focus on getting healthy! unlike heat whose trying to suck the life out of shaq every game… come playopff shaq his gonna dominate unlike marion who kinda disappear during playoff!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Wags says:
Circle Feb. 20th on your calendar–Kobe and Phil come to PHX to slap the collective mustaches off of D’Antoni and the Diesel. Must see TV.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Myrie says:
The biggest star in Phoenix since Charles Barkley.
Forget when Shaq pulled down the rim (thats been done plenty of times thru the yrs) remeber when Shaq was pulled and beat down by an aging Barkley in Houston? FUNNY!!
Steve Nash
Raja Bell
Grant Hill
Amare Stoudamire
Shaquille O’Neal
Off the pine:
Leandro Barbosa
Boris Diaw
Brian Skinner
Hmmm….not the worst eight man rotation going into the playoffs.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
GEE...Shawn should point to his finger for the heat fans ...the middle says:
February 6th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
GEE…I sacked Tom Brady too! says:
…
For him to get a ring in Phoenix though would be pretty amazing. I think the aftermath will be interesting. What words will come out now. Who will ruffle feathers. What will Riley, Wade, Marion and Shaq say about their former teams? That stuff is always interesting.
Will Marion and Wade be M.J. and Pip the 2009 and 10 version? Doubt it but still a nice combo.
Everyone is so worried about Shaq keeping up. I think Shaq will be fine running many of the transitions and breaks they run. I really feel he is going to surprise a lot of people.
I am thinking Shaq and Wade might be the last official 1,2 punch to win a ring. The way things are going now you got to have at least 3 All-Stars or 2 All-Stars and a 1 potential to really get down.
I typed that yesterday.
Now today
I applaud Shaq for being cool and not trashing the Heat.
Thug-Motivation will be taking place when he plays all teams but especially LA and the Heat!
The girl who asked that question about does he know he looks good in purple should be fired!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Kobeef says:
Hey! I posted some of these quotes a half hour ago!
You left off – the shot he took at Wade:
“I look forward to kicking the ball out to some players that can hit a 3 point shot at a high percentage…I’m gonna make Raja Bell the best 3 point shooter in the west”
That said, Shaq squashed every attempt the press made to get him to talk trash about the lakers. He complimented Pau and the Lakers in general a few times.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Kobeef says:
Hey! I posted some of these quotes a half hour ago!
You left off – the shot he took at Wade:
“I look forward to kicking the ball out to some players that can hit a 3 point shot at a high percentage…I’m gonna make Raja Bell the best 3 point shooter in the west”
That said, Shaq squashed every attempt the press made to get him to talk trash about the lakers. He complimented Pau and the Lakers in general a few times.
Also – diaw will start – not hill
February 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Sam I Am says:
I see the Western Conference Finals being gritty and them and the Spurs will be there…Like them or not the spurs get there…and the Suns will blow the Mavs (choke), N.O. (inexperienced), Portland (see previous answer), Nuggets (inconsistent), Jazz (maybe upset Spurs / toss up) out the water!… Go NBA!!!! i miss football but the Association is where it’s at!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO Suns & Celts!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Three Stacks says:
I don’t understand why people think Shaq’s gonna be a dominant defensive presence at this stage of his career. I mean, Phoenix got Shaq to defend the likes of Tim Duncan? Shaq couldn’t guard Duncan even when he was in his prime with the Lakers.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Myrie says:
Just a thought on a small reference above:
Shaq noted that he’s helped other players make it to “the next level” throughout his career — presumably D-Wade, Penny and Kobe.
“Next Level”. Is that only defined for *Star* players? I mean, did Shaq really help those players get to the next level of anything? Without Shaq, Kobe/Wade don’t get championships and Penny Hardaway doesn’t get to the finals. But did Shaq really help them get to the “Next Level”?
Penny was drafted as the #3 pick in his class. Wade #5 in his class. Kobe #13. High choice with high potential BEFORE they even teammed with Shaq.
Did Shaq help Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson to the next level in Orlando? Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel and Elden Campbell in LA? Damon Jones, Chris Quinn, Dorell Wright in Miami?
Just something to think about when terms are used so loosely.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Sam I Am says:
Shut up Three Stacks
February 7th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
D-Wade quote:
“…you don’t see a person like Shaq getting traded very often…”
ummm….yes you DO!!
February 7th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Three Stacks says:
I refuse.
Doesn’t matter anyway. I hope to God that, in the irony of ironies, Phoenix beats up on San Antonio for the rest of the season. Then gets repeatedly owned by Dallas’ small line-up.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
smity says:
funny, three stacks.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Shep says:
“He declined to guarantee a championship, but talked a lot about winning two ‘chips with the Suns.”
Yeh, right. Like that will happen….
February 7th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
man, I hope this bombs in the Suns’ face…but I have a BAAAAD feeling this is gonna put them over the top. Can Shaq/Amare/Hill see Bynum/Gasol/Odom? That’s a pretty even matchup if you ask me…Kobe’s gotta be the difference-maker.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
D-NICE says:
Everybody has been quick to point out all the negatives to this trade and I understand that the suns gave up ALOT in Marion but hear me out with the positives.(even though I’m not that big of a suns fan but a HUGE FAN of Shaq! lol)
1) A new offensive scheme: With a player as big and talented as the Diesel, coach D’antoni is gonna have to intergate him into the system and run a little less. Think about it, why do you think nash is one of the league leaders in turnovers? Now with Shaq,one of the best passing big men ever, nash isn’t pressured into having to setup EVERYONE on the team.( also diaw gets more minutes and is a way better passer than marion)
2) Defense: Yes The Matrix(even though Grant Hill kinda made up for him in the N O game) can guard anyone from point guards to power forwards, but Phoenix’s real defensive problems lie with having to deal with bigger 4′s and 5′s. Sure, Shaq won’t be as dominant as we’re used to him being BUT really only two things happen when people challenge Shaq in the paint. They get blocked hard or get fouled even harder. His defense in the paint will also help them ignite a few more fastbreaks now. Plus Amare won’t be left alone to battle on the defensive boards.
3)Other Factors: The matrix was said to be a locker room distration for quite some time. Well, Shaq has a TON of experience on how to keep his team motivated through the season and especially when it counts in the playoffs. He, Amare, and Nash seem to have a mutual respect and admiration for one another, so chemistry shouldn’t be a problem. Shaq has been hampered with injuries for a long time. The PHX trainers seem to have some kind of fountain of youth (see: Steve Nash and especially GRANT HILL) So we should see a marginally healthier Diesel than we’ve seen in a long time. Watching the press conference, Diesel seemed intensely motivated especially when talking about making the man who he crowned the “future” of big men(STAT)”the best power forward in the league”, making raja bell “the best shooter in the west” and winning at least 2 more rings to cement his leagcy.(that “breathera” comment was funny and inspiring) And wouldn’t you think Amare is even more motivated now that his childhood idol is by his side to get him a championship? Those two motivated together will PUT IN WORK on any frontcourt in the L.
There still some downside from losing Marion but a lot of upside too. And besides SHAQ IS 10x FUNNIER than marion ever will be. ( I would write about how Miami benefits from this trade but Dime ain’t payin me fo dis ish lol)
PEACE
February 7th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
D-NICE says:
Also I think the suns need at least one more defensive stopper and they should get to the finals
February 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
jnuh says:
Can you imagine Marion in the locker room this last week after finding out he didn’t make the all-star team while Nash & STAT did?
A marginally healthy & motivated Shaq puts the Suns in the finals.
Marion can now enjoy being the second best player on the worst team in the universe.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Three Stacks says:
D-NICE, a couple things:
1) Shaq hasn’t had an offense run through him in a few years, and I doubt Phoenix will do so, even if it’s for just a few possessions a game. Especially since they have Nash. Shaq probably isn’t going to help that offense. Besides, he hasn’t averaged more than 2 assists per game since he got to Miami.
2) Grant Hill hasn’t been that healthy. He’s missed 8 games already. He missed 17 games last yr, so his health is pretty much on par with when he was with Orlando.
3) How does no one understand that Shaq, the M.D.E., was just on the worst team in the League, putting up pedestrian numbers in the EAST of all places, where there are NO centers (cept D.Howard)??
4) And like I stated earlier, he can’t guard Duncan. He could never guard Duncan.
The only positives are chemistry, like you said. And the fact that he doesn’t have to carry this team. His numbers this year are about the same as last, so maybe he didn’t decline as much as the Heat did as a team. I’m not saying this trade is gonna be a disaster. Just doesn’t look great on paper is all.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
djKianoosh says:
the formula for Shaq has always been to have great 3 point shooters around him. That’s how the Lakers dominated beyond the exceptional abilities of Kobe. That’s how Miami dominated beyond the exceptional abilities of Wade.
As long as Phoenix can make a healthy percentage of their threes, then they will be dangerous..
but don’t sleep on the Jazz, ya’ll. a little piece added like Korver can do a lot for a solid team like that. I think they’re the darkhorse now. The hype will certainly follow L.A., Phoenix and Dallas, and to a certain extent the Spurs, but Utah is right there. now if only Denver could start playing some consistent ball, we’d have ourselves a party…
February 7th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
word says:
I got mad faith in this, just please don’t let me down man, please.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
word says:
and by the way, yall se the game last night, that was some thrilling shit, nash was killing it. i got faith if everyone plays to par, championship is theirs.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
kowtz says:
Dude… Darell Dawkins pulled the rim…
SHAQ, pulled down the rim, the backboard, the ring post… no one ever did that before…
February 7th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
2 Easy says:
The funniest thing about this whole trade is the fact that no one is taking in who should be the most pissed off. Not Wade, Not Marion, not any of the “experts” the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks are going to be forced to replay the last minute of a game they won due to a clerical error that was petitioned so Shaq would be able to play and make some sort of a difference. Atlanta fans, I feel ur pain, things like this honestly make you wonder if they’ll hold on to make the playoffs cause it feels like nothing (other than JJ bein an allstar) goes their way
February 8th, 2008 at 10:08 am
ldawg23 says:
Amare as known since last yeat they were getting SHAQ, we just didnt pay attention to the signs..Amare changed is number (32) to number (1)….Why would he give up is long time number of 32? Cause thats Shaq’a number, and he knew SHAQ would want that number, and wouldnt settle for anything less. So to make him happy he change. You cant change numbers during the season, unless you wanna pay a hefty fine
February 10th, 2008 at 3:11 am
D-NICE says:
Three stacks, I hear what your saying, but I truly hope you don’t believe that phx wouldn’t run a few plays with SHAQ on the floor. And its not like duncan can really guard the diesel either. I agree grant has missed some games already but he was out because of an appendoctomy and hes making progress with the PHX trainers on staying healthly. Shaq has been out alot this year because of injuries and MIA gave up all their shooters so that probably added to the fact that he is declining. But a healthly and motivated SHAQ should do some major damage.