NBA Rumors: Why the Philadelphia 76ers Are Smart to Avoid Amar'e Stoudemire

Philadelphia 76ers team president responded to the rumors that the team has been inquiring about the availability of Amar'e Stoudemire. PhillyBurbs.com reports, 

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Asked about the report Monday, team president Rod Thorn said there was no truth to it “whatsoever. Neither team made an inquiry.”

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"No truth whatsoever" seems to be pretty clear on things. If that's the case, it's probably a good thing for the Sixers. 

First, there's the fact that Stoudemire has an uninsured contract. That might not make a lot of difference to the fan, but it sure makes a difference to the owners. His contract is uninsured because it's mensurable. It's uninsurable because his injury history makes it so.  

Which is a big part of why you don't give players with injury histories max contracts. Philadelphia would be compelled, by necessity of making the deal work, to face two quality players to get back one. 

Now, when that one is in the lineup, it might give the team what they need—a player who take over in the closing minutes of the game.

However, what about the times he misses, and the games he misses? There's enough of a history to guarantee it's not about "whether" it happens but "when" it happens. 

The other part of the reason Philadelphia shouldn't be messing with things is that regardless of what some commentators are saying, maybe they don't need to make a move at all. This is a team that's working right now. 

Now granted, they have had the easiest schedule in the NBA, and that might be part of the reason they are playing so well, but the ownership owes it to coach Doug Collins and the team to at least have the opportunity to prove itself against the better teams. 

Philadelphia's next three games are against Chicago and Miami at home and then the Hawks in Atlanta. The team has a proving ground now and they should be allowed the opportunity to prove themselves.