NBA - Amar'e Stoudemire; The first top dog of the free-agency to make a decision
While the top free agents are still on the prowl of what franchise they should grasp, big man Amar’e Stoudemire has already decided to say bye to the free agency and has made a decision. Amar’e agreed on Monday to sign on a contract with the New York Nicks for $100 large. Promising to the fact this will be a new beginning for the Nicks.
The Nicks coach Mike D’Antoni said he had his eyes one the superstar for a while now and was happy with the fact his team got a hold of him. He said this could really help get the dominoes fall down as he will be a great teammate.
"We went after a very, very good free agent and you can't tell what's in other people's minds, but we do know that if you're serious about winning, we've got a piece that helps you do that." Said Mike D’Antoni.
The Knicks plan on to officially sign a contract with Stoudemire after the whole free agency suspension comes to an end. Amar’e agent, Happy Walters said that Knicks plan on giving him $99.7M over five years, which is the maximum he is allowed.
New York Nicks finally scored in the free agency which they desperately needed, They decorated Madison Square Garden’s entrance with enlarged pictures of Amar’e dressed in the Nicks uniform and there were huge banners which read “Welcome, Amar’e Stoudemire”.
Nicks spent a large amount of team making a room in their salary caps because they have been longing for two top players like LeBron and Bosh, who they met last week and are still hoping they will break the deal with them.
The deal between Nicks and Stoudemire has reunited him with his former coach from the Phoenix days, Mike D’Antoni. Amar’e Stoudemire is a product of D’Antoni as when they were together Stoudemire averaged at least 20 points per game every season.
After Phoenix Suns signed a contract with Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick last week, Stoudemire’s days with them came to an end, although Stoudemire and the Suns discussed his future with them and they planned on extending his contract but after they found fresh cheaper players they reached out for them instead.
Stoudemire was unaffected by the abrupt decision made by the Suns who no longer wanted him because he comprehended the fact Suns could not offer him max contract and was not disrespected by it. He is happy wearing the blue Knicks hat as that was always was his dream ever since the New York Knicks did not pick him in the 2002 draft.
The big player is quite content with his decision, becoming the first player to make a decision in the much hyped free agency, Stoudemire said that no one is confident enough to make the first move, but he was and he wanted to take the first step and is hoping other guys will soon join him.
Stoudemire said he has already started talking to big names like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade hoping they will join in the Knicks to make history, but at the same time he will be okay if they rejected. The Dynamic player said he was extremely comfortable and confident about his headship virtues and will hopefully lift the team up by next season.
Stoudemire said. "So again, the Knicks are back.”
When asked what his comments about The King were he said:
“Playing with LeBron would be great, But again, I'm not sure what his decision is and where he's leaning. If he's leaning more toward New York, then that's a great start for us."
The Knicks are also quite confident about the pick and said they are no longer waiting for Chris Bosh’s answer, as they have obtained one of the strongest centres for the free agency to offer. So Knicks might have gotten one man out of three they are yearning for, they still have not been able to pin LeBron or Wade, let us see what happens in few days that are left of the free agency.
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