Amar’e Stoudemire: Top 5 Moments With New York Knicks
1. The 2010-11 Season
Between 2001 and 2010, the New York Knicks bordered on the edge of being a meaningless organization. That may seem harsh, but the only baseball, basketball, or football team in Manhattan missed the playoffs in nine out of 10 seasons and finished below .500 in all 10.
According to current franchise player Carmelo Anthony, it was Amar’e Stoudemire who revived the lifeless organization.
Here's what Carmelo Anthony said about Amar'e Stoudemire's tenure as a Knick back when he was waived in Feb. 2015 pic.twitter.com/ucwjMRDGAU
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) July 26, 2016
On the court, Stoudemired validated the belief that New York was a factor again.
Stoudemire finished the 2010-11 season with averages of 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.5 offensive boards, 2.6 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game. The Knicks finished 2010-11 with a record of 42-40 and STAT made the All-NBA Second Team.
In his first season in New York, Stoudemire led the Knicks to their first winning record since 2000-01, and their first postseason appearance since 2003-04.
Individually, Stoudemire became the first Knicks player to average at least 25.0 points per game since Patrick Ewing in 1990-91. As a leader, he rejuvenated an organization that countless players, coaches, and executives had failed to resurrect.
For all of the highs and lows, as Stoudemire enters retirement, there’s only one thing left to say.
must read: Five reasons the 2016-17 New York Knicks will make the playoffs
Thank you, Amar’e Stoudemire.