Amar'e Stoudemire is 6-foot-10, 250 pounds. But he says he's overlooked.In NBA history, that is.
The Phoenix Suns forward sees how Cleveland's LeBron James is regarded by many as the first NBA player to star immediately after coming in from high school. That causes Stoudemire to pause and wonder, "What about me?''
Stoudemire, to refresh, was the first player to be named NBA Rookie of the Year after arriving directly from high school. He averaged 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Suns in 2002-03 to beat out Houston center Yao Ming.
Then came James the next season straight from high school. He averaged 20.9 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Cavaliers in being named Rookie of the Year.
"I definitely [get overlooked],'' Stoudemire said in an interview with FanHouse. "That year it was tough going against Yao Ming as far as Rookie of the Year, and I was able to win that award. Sometimes you get lost in the shuffle when the year after such great players as Carmelo [Anthony of Denver], Dwyane [Wade of Miami] and Lebron came in. I think I did get overlooked a little.''
Yes, Moses Malone did average 18.8 points and 14.6 rebounds going directly from high school to the ABA's Utah Stars in 1974-75. But until Stoudemire's arrival, no player straight from high school made a huge impact as an NBA rookie.
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett did average 10.4 points in 1995-96, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant 7.6 in 1996-97 and Toronto's Tracy McGrady 7.0 in 1997-98. But none came close to being named Rookie of the Year.
"Garnett was OK,'' said Stoudemire, who has built upon his fine start by averaging 21.0 points and 8.9 rebounds for his career and making five All-Star Games. "Kobe was OK. McGrady was OK. But I was able to win Rookie of the Year. I was the first to ever do it [straight from high school]. Then LeBron gets it the year after. I think when LeBron came after me, he had so much hype that [people] tend to forget the fact that I was the first.''
Suns coach Alvin Gentry understands how Stoudemire feels. But he also knows the power of the James hype machine."I mean, probably,'' Gentry says of Stoudemire having been overlooked in history. "The fact that he was Rookie of the Year says a lot. ... But the LeBron phenomenon is going to trump anything out there. The guy has probably got an opportunity of ending up the all-time greatest player to ever put on a uniform.
"In that respect, I can understand how it would go that way. But I think that Amar'e has a legitimate beef. Being Rookie of the Year and coming out of high school, nobody has done that before him.''
And, if NBA rules stay the same, nobody else will do it other than Stoudemire and James. The NBA began to bar players entering directly from high school beginning with the 2006 draft.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter@christomasson
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shut up Amar'e,you are lucky to even have a job with that IQ of 69.
boderek, how did you arrive at 69 being his IQ? One can only assume that number was fresh on your mind after a romantic evening with your sister. As far as Stoudamire's complaint, the category of 'biggest star straight out of high school' is just some insignificant speculation. By the way, the Warriors decided not to pursue a trade for you because of your weak defense. Last I heard, defense was an important skill for an elite player.
Boder, what is your IQ, moron? James is over-rated. I can not stand that wanna be king. He has a lot to go before he can be considered in the likes or Michael Jordan.
Who cares..?? Shut up and play ball.
I agree that he was first and he still can be good if he has his mine on it and not what is going on about the sun getting him traded.
An NBA player claiming he's been disrespected--wow, there's a shocker. A new blade of grass grows for every player that feels he isn't being worshipped enough. Is this really worth a whole article?
He's got a great point. Stoudemire had a wonderful start as a rookie.
How did he wind up discussing this topic? I'd love to see the context.
Amar'e you are so lame and injured prone ..dude hush !! you are milking the hell out of the Suns ..on to the next topic
Poor Amare. Its tough to be such a great talented player and not have people kissing your butt 24 hours a day. So unfair.
Ron do, shut the hell up, MORON. He is not milking anything. At least he is a good player.
All you have to do is play hard and you will be recognize, something that you haven't always done!
Amare is missing the point. He was the first player directly out of HS to be an impact player and a solid starter. But he wasn't a star his first year. LeBron was an instant star.
Someone needs their bottle.
What is with this guy?
LeBron was better then him coming out of HS, and continues to improve his game. All this guy does is complain, and he's bee shooting the sale 10-12 foot pop shot and cleaning up rebounds for the dunks and that's it....for years now. N D. No passing. And on, and on.
He didn't want to play center. They go him Shaq. He didn't like that. Now people want him to go to Chicago to play with Rose. Why? Something wrong with Steve Nash?
This guy worries about his touches and celebrity. He is the most overrated player in the NBA today. This generations Chris Weber - a big physical guy that will have some good seasons....along with 50 other guys in 10 years.
Tired of hearing about him. I hope he goes to Miami next and plays with Wade. That ought to be funny unless the NBA lest them use 2-3 balls on O. And wait till the other 3 guys on the floor open up their mouths about what's going on.
This guy is simply not a basketball player. Maybe he SHOULD have played some college ball.
Let your game talk for you. What a puss.
LeBron is overrated?
He's been carrying teams of role players to the playoffs for the better part of 7 years now. In addition to the 3, he's been playing the 4 and 2 when needed. Now with the point guards out he's been playing the 1. The man's an offensive Magic Johnson - totally team oriented - and also plays a solid D.....lockdown when necessary. And most of all, he's a true team leader.
The other night Charles Barkley said that if LeBron had teammates like Kobe does on the Lakers - Pau, Bynum, Odom, Artest, etc. - that the team might go 82-0. Fact is that if LeBron had a one of those guys on his team in Cleveland they would sweep the playoffs this year. And LeBron is going to lead his team to the title anyway this year....with a 108 year-old Shaq.
Got news for you slim - it's Jordan and Kobe that are overrated. If they did not have great GM's getting them teammates, and HOF HC Phil Jackson doing all the work to get those guys to play as a team, they would be seen for what they are - one-on-one players and ball hogs. How hasd the great D-Wade's team been doing the last 2 years? Take him away for the Heat and leBron from the Cavs, and the heat would beat the Cavs 4 out of 5 games. As the SI writer pointed out the other day - when Jordan first retired, the Bulls won 102 regular season games in 2 years. Take LeBron away from the Cavs, and that team would have been in the lottery the last 7 years.
Overrated my eye.
Stop riding LB's dick man. Kobe is overrated, yea maybe. Jordan? hell no. Take away Jordan from the old Bulls before Pipen and Phil arrived? The team was as crappy as the CAVs today without LB... My pt is, even the greatest basketball player needs someone to support him, but you can't "discredit" MJ cuz of that, afterall, basketball is team work.
And not only did MJ get all those rings, stats, MVP awards... He also changed the game; from sneakers to the whole 90s NBA. Show some respect.
Awwww poor baby. Does bwaby Amare wanna bottle?
And Shawn Kemp?
Who cares?? He needs to stop whining and play ball.