Amar'e Stoudemire explains why he signed with the Heat
Amar'e Stoudemire has entered a new stage of his career. Now, he's the clever veteran who just wanted to find a bench of a winning team to help. He may have found that in Miami.
Stoudemire signed a minimum deal with the Heat this offseason after hitting free agency. He spent last season split between the Knicks, who bought him out midyear, and the Mavericks. The Heat give him a new experience, and he explained why to Surya Fernandez of Hot Hot Hoops:
Stoudemire has always been a welcomed locker room presence. Known as one of the nicest guys in the league, he seems to realize his days as a star are behind him. He did, after all, average only 16.5 minutes a night after heading to Dallas last season.
He might be under a similar role in Miami—playing behind or with Hassan Whiteside, Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen—but it seems like he's OK with the new NBA lifestyle.
Stoudemire averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.1 per game combined between the Knicks and Mavs last season.
"I think, for one, the organization has been known to be a really good organization," he said. "It's a warm welcoming type of organization that makes you comfortable. Everything is ran very organized and professionally. With me also being from Florida, it made it that much easier for me to sign here."
"Whatever it takes for us to win," he said. "I think we have a pretty good roster. We have guys that can do a lot. I think it's about us being able to put these pieces to the puzzle together and see what we can do this season."
To that end, he believes this team can compete but still has plenty of work to do.
"Every team thinks they're a championship team," he said, "until you get out there on the basketball court and then you start to see if guys can play together and see if everyone can gell. On paper, yes, it's about us staying healthy and it's about us actually playing together and playing with a sense of urgency."
