Amar’e Big on Ridnour
Stoudemire, the newest man on the Knicks roster, has gone on record that he wants Luke Ridnour as New York’s point guard. And while the big man still has big hopes of playing alongside Tony Parker, he views Ridnour as one of the best choices out there.
In a report posted by the New York Post, Stoudemire has revealed that his choice for the Knicks’ point guard was rooted from his previous success with Steve Nash in Phoenix. According to Stoudemire, no man can emulate Nash’s playing style better than Luke Ridnour.
In the article, Stoudemire has claimed that Ridnour is “Steve Nash Like,” certainly a huge compliment for the 6' 2" basketball pro. Stoudemire went on by saying Ridnour is someone who can run the pick-and-roll perfectly, pass the ball well, and be a threat on the outside.
True enough, Ridnour is the best option when you’re looking for a point guard that can set up plays beautifully. In the league, there are many point guards who are in the gray area between a shooting guard and a point guard. But with Ridnour, the package is purely a point guard that can suit Stoudemire’s style of play.
When Ridnour is on the court, his mentality is “pass first, shoot later.”
Ridnour is not just another point guard—he is a skipper that knows how to run a team. Unlike other guards available, his passing ability and leadership are well above the average.
He is a point guard who can set the pace and control the tempo for the game’s entirety. When a player like Amar’e wants the ball, Ridnour can deliver the goods. Despite not being superfast, he is able to confound his marker off the dribble and can light it up with the midrange game. Ridnour may be slower than most point guards, but he has a quick first step that he uses to take his man off the dribble for the shot or drive to the basket.
He may not be Nash, but he can be a good little clone of the two-time MVP for the Phoenix Suns.
Just like Nash, Ridnour’s attitude is all about the team game. There is simply not a single pass he cannot do. From alley oops, to passes knifing through defenders, Ridnour gets it done.
Then again, Ridnour’s unselfish plays can also be a liability. Some observers feel that he tends to be a little too generous. Ridnour usually settles for the pass instead of just taking the shot or trying to drive. Unlike Ridnour, Steve Nash knows exactly when to pull the trigger.
Nevertheless, the big guy from Lake Wales, Florida is big on Ridnour and likes what the kid can do for the Knicks. Stoudemire can count on Ridnour to make smart plays in clutch situations. He has the ability to break down opponent’s defense when the going gets tough. He is a great foul line shooter, even during crunch time.
But in order for the team-up to work, Ridnour has to beef up for big guards that like to post-up. He needs to work on his three point shot when a defender is in his face. He needs to drive more to the hole and take contact, something that Nash would not be afraid to do.
With Stoudemire in the fold, this incarnation of the Knicks appears a clone of the Phoenix Suns. And with former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, who could argue with that?
Meanwhile, Nash had big farewell for his former teammate, saying “It was a dream playing with you. New York’s going to love you,” on his Twitter page.
It would be interesting to see how Stoudemire and Nash would fare now that the two are on opposite sides of the court.
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