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Stoudemire: The Starting Piece Of New York’s Revival Plan

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Stoudemire: The Starting Piece Of New York’s Revival Plan
“The Knicks are back,” are words New Yorkers thought they would never hear again.  However, after Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with the New York Knicks worth $100 million, these words came out of the free agent’s mouth.    
Ever since the Patrick Ewing-era ended in 2000, the Knicks have been in a nosedive. 
Bad acquisitions and scandals marred the team’s growth, which for a while looked promising with Isiah Thomas at the helm. 
Thomas’ reign was short-lived, however, as his leadership was tarnished with ill-advised trades, as well as a sexual harassment lawsuit. 
Save for the crafty selection of David Lee, Wilson Chandler and Nate Robinson (eventually traded to the Boston Celtics), the Knicks have been in dire need of a superstar.
After a two-year struggle, wherein the team admittedly depleted its roster to free up cap space, the Knicks has finally landed a big-name free agent. 
Although Stoudemire may not have the same marquee quality of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, his performance in the 2010 Playoffs was enough proof that he could still be a dominating force in the league.      
The Knicks were also sold on the fact that Stoudemire showed his commitment to New York, making the decision easier for both sides. 
Knicks President Donnie Walsh did not even have to wait for an answer from Bosh, and decided to move on and give the interested player the longest contract allowable. 
“I think to a degree, the fact that Amare really wanted to come here, stepped up front, it got to the point where we had to acknowledge that and say that means something to us,” Walsh said.
Aside from the power that STAT brings, as well as the excitement of once again seeing Mike D’Antoni coach his prized forward, Stoudemire brings to the court a star power that the Knicks have notoriously lacked for almost a decade. 
This clout can bring not only more ticket sales, but could very well be a bait to lure other superstars.  James, Wade and Bosh are still undecided, after all. 
This early, talks of enticing other stars have already arisen, with Stoudemire revealing that he has already spoken to James’ people and directly to Wade last week.  
Stoudemire also said that he could try to convince Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker to join him in New York. Both Anthony and Parker, however, have a year left in their contracts. 
Also, sources from the Spurs said that the team is not interested in trading their All-Star point guard even if the Knicks’ David Lee is part of the package. 
Lee has been the core of the Knicks’ offense last season, averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds (second-best in the league in rebounds).  With Stoudemire’s arrival, Lee will most likely become the Knicks’ only bargaining chip when it comes to trades. 
Both Stoudemire and Lee, after all, do practically the same things on the court, with Stoudemire averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds.   
Stoudemire opted out of his contract with the Suns when both parties could not reach an agreement on a new deal. 
The Suns reportedly offered Stoudemire $96 million for five years, $4 million short of the New York offer. 
However, the $4-million difference was not the deciding factor for the 27-year old forward.  It was the constant trade rumors over the last two years, including a mid-season trade rumor involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, which bothered Stoudemire. 
To top it off, the Suns offer included minutes-played clauses in the final two years of the deal, which may have pushed Stoudemire to jump ship. 
The New York-Stoudemire deal is expected to close on Thursday, after the salary cap for next season has been finalized.

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