Farewell Amar'e: STAT's Best Moments as a Phoenix Sun
All-star forward Amar'e Stoudemire opted out of the last year of his contract with the Phoenix Suns and signed with the New York Knicks this offseason, signaling the end of what will likely be one of the most thrilling and successful chapters in Suns history.
Now the Suns will look to retool on the fly and follow up a successful 2010 campaign with an even better 2011 season. Whether they will or not is up for grabs, but one thing is certain, they'll be doing it without one of the most talented and exciting players to ever wear the purple and orange.
So let us pay tribute to STAT's time in the desert. Here are some of the best moments from Stoudemire's tenure in Phoenix.
STAT posterizes Jefferson, Milsap, and Tolliver
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Amar'e Stoudemire has made a living by dunking on nearly anyone who challenges him at the rim, and the 2010 season was no exception.
Stoudemire had a handful of highlight reel dunks but three stand out in particular.
His levitation over Utah's Paul Milsap, his and one throwdown over Richard Jefferson on his way to 41 points against San Antonio, and probably the dunk of the year on Golden State's Anthony Tolliver late in the fourth quarter, a three point play that helped the Sun's take the lead and eventually win the game.
If you're not yet familiar with these three throwdowns, YouTube is waiting for you.
2003 Western Conference First Round Game One
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A memorable start to Stoudemire's first postseason ever included two buzzer beaters, one from STAT himself.
Stoudemire hit a three-pointer with just under eight seconds remaining to tie the game, 87-87, then Stephon Marbury banked in a three-pointer at the overtime buzzer to give the Suns a 96-95 win and a 1-0 series lead.
2010 Western Conference Finals Game Three
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After getting blown out twice by the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Suns limped home trailing in the Western Conference Finals 0-2.
No one was criticized for the Sun's poor play more than Stoudemire, who stirred up the media when he called Laker's forward Lamar Odom's game one performance "lucky."
Stoudemire came out aggressive and determined to will the Suns back into the series, and he did just that by outshining Kobe Bryant with a game high 42 points and 11 rebounds.
2005 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
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At the 2005 All-star weekend in Denver, STAT got some help from teammate and league MVP Steve Nash in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.
Though Josh Smith would go on to win the contest, Stoudemire excited the crowd several times with his athleticism and creativity.
2003 NBA Rookie of the Year
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After a dominating rookie year with the Suns, Stoudemire beat out Yao Ming and Caron Butler for the NBA's rookie of the year award.
Stoudemire also became the first player straight out of high school to win the award.
2005 Western Conference Finals
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As if winning the rookie of the year award wasn't enough of a coming out party for Stoudemire, the 2005 Western Conference Finals against San Antonio had everyone talking.
Though the inexperienced Suns lost the series in five games, Stoudemire out played future Hall of Fame forward Tim Duncan significantly, averaging 37 ppg for the series, including a career playoff high of 42 in the series clinching game five.
