Phoenix Suns: Amar'e Stoudemire Controls Franchise's Fate On and Off the Court

There was a time when the Suns and their fans loomed over Stoudemire like a piece of meat.

Rebound. Play defense. Realize your potential or your worth. Be a captain and a man.

He's doing those things now, and suddenly the position has been reversed.

Management and fans watch their hopeful dreams realized in Amare's recent play, and wonder if it will become a nightmare this summer. Is he showing what he's got now only to leave later?

Yeah, he underachieved over the last few years. Coasted on defense, got his production and not much else on offense. Infamously proclaimed the team's problems were to be directed towards the captains, not him. Like a downtrodden and seemlingly worthless girlfriend, he was verbally abused by those who let him stay on.

Then comes the moment when the girl finds her style, her confidence, and her worth.

What usually happens then? The girl scornfully tells her man there are others who will appreciate her better, and walks out the door.

Phoenicians are positively petrified of this. Suddenly fans, media, and even teammates are almost over-complimentary of Stoudemire. They gush about his raised level of play, how they never doubted it would come, how he's matured into a man.

And while they're doing it, they hope Amare doesn't take them as past tense insults.

The Suns can't afford him to leave. Despite his $17 million coming off the books, Phoenix would only have around $6 million in cap room for any attempt to recover. They'd be looking at Lou Amundson or Channing Frye starting at the four-spot, with a D-Leaguer or low-balled, discontent free agent signee behind them on the depth chart.

Not to mention they might slip right out of the playoff picture.

Amare knows this. He's professionally and politely smug with all the positive attention. He doesn't have to tip his hand, now. Meanwhile, every 30-10 night must sound like a multi-million dollar cash register ring to him.

For now, those nights help both Amare and the Suns, who are making a push for a top-four seed in the playoffs.

Phoenix is desperately hoping Stoudemire's production continues with, not against, them come next season. That hope/fear may drive up their offer to the max.

Whether Stoudemire has really forgiven Phoenix enough to take it, is entirely up to him. And that off-the-court power may be more dangerous than what he's shown on the court.