Former All-Star big man Amar’e Stoudemire passed on playing in the NBA last season to instead live and play ball in Israel. After his team won the Israeli Premier League championship last week, Stoudemire is weighing what to do next and hasn’t ruled out trying to return to the NBA. Marc Berman of the New York Post has more:
“It felt amazing after a long season to lift up the championship trophy,’’ Stoudemire told The Post in a phone interview Monday. “We had a great run.”
Now, what’s next? Stoudemire said he enjoyed living in Israel (he’s applied for citizenship). He easily adapted to the culture after adopting Jewish holiday rituals while playing for the Knicks from 2010-15.
But he didn’t see eye to eye with the head coach, Simone Pianigiani, according to Israeli journalist David Pick. Stoudemire called it “a roller-coaster ride,’’ and during the season told Israeli media the coaching staff would try to get him more involved in the offense. That never happened. He averaged 9.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in 23 minutes per game as a sixth man.
Stoudemire will explore three options, and retirement is one of them. The 34-year-old still has pangs for one more go-round in the NBA.
“To play and win a championship my first year there, I could just call it quits and leave as a champion,’’ said Stoudemire, who never made it to the NBA Finals. “That could be an option. Another option is maybe to play with a team that needs quality veteran leadership here in the NBA. That could be an option. Or I could go back and defend the title for a back-to-back. I have time to think about it. Those are my three options.”
…
Stoudemire played one season in the triangle in Phil Jackson’s presidential reign, and left on good terms when he was bought out of his contract late in the 2014-2015 season to seek a playoff run with Dallas. Stoudemire has a strong relationship with Knicks owner James Dolan.
“Sure, I haven’t spoken to them yet about it, but that definitely could be an option,’’ Stoudemire said. “I have nothing but positive affirmations about the team and organization. That will be something I can think about.
“I’ve followed New York, always pulling for the Knicks to have success,’’ Stoudemire added. “I’ve been hearing the stories [about Carmelo Anthony]. I’m always rooting for the Knicks and Carmelo as well to have success. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case this year. I do have positive energy toward the team, and soon they’ll start succeeding.”
…
Stoudemire’s stats were modest, and he struggled with how Israeli referees whistled fouls and traveling violations. In the European Cup, Stoudemire’s stats rose to 13 points per game as the club made the Final Four. And he captured MVP honors in the All-Star Game in Tel Aviv.
Stoudemire said his minutes reduction was due to league rules. Two Israelis had to be in the starting lineup, and the configuration of the club, which had three other talented Americans (Jerome Dyson, Curtis Jerrells and Tarence Kinsey) made it best he came off the bench.
