Why the 76ers Must Avoid Gambling on Amar'e Stoudemire

The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a very good start to the 2012 season and could be one team that could make a big splash and acquire a major player in an attempt to go for it all this year.

One guy the Sixers have been linked to is New York Knicks' forward Amar'e Stoudemire.

At first glance it would be a major improvement for the Sixers, but looking more closely, the Sixers would be gambling that they are getting the Stoudemire that was dominant before the Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony.

It's one gamble Philadelphia should stay away from.

First of all, the Knicks would be dumb to trade Stoudemire inside the Atlantic Division unless someone was willing to overpay. The Sixers are in the midst of stockpiling some good young players. There's no need to abandon that plan in an attempt to land Stoudemire.

Then there's Stoudemire's huge contract. Including this season, he's still owed around $80 million for the next four seasons.

Philadelphia would be dumb to take on that money considering they don't know what they are getting.

There's the issue with Stoudemire's knees and for the first time he looks slow to react on the court.

It very well could be Mike D'Antoni's system that's the problem, but Stoudemire has trouble jumping out on shooters and average offensive players are finding it easy to attack him.

His numbers are down, partly due to not being able to play with Carmelo Anthony, but even when Anthony's out of the lineup or not on the floor, Stoudemire can't take over and shows very little of the explosiveness that made him great.

His jumper isn't consistent at all and every time Stoudemire puts the ball on the deck, it's a turnover waiting to happen.

Of course a change of scenery and a better offensive system could fix all of that, but that's a big if and a big risk for Philadelphia to take.

The Sixers have been good partly due to the fact that they get production from everyone. They currently have seven guys averaging double figures. Acquiring Stoudemire means a lot less touches for everyone else.

I would be all for Philadelphia acquiring a superstar for the second half season.

Just one with a lot less risk.