What a Difference a Year Makes
By Craig Kwasniewski
One of the interesting sub-plots of Team USA's training camp in Las Vegas is Amare Stoudemire's recovery from micro-fracture surgery on his knee. Well, this photo says it all... REJECTION!
That's Chris Paul blocking Amare Stoudemire during USA Senior Men's National Team practice on July 24, 2006 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas! Yes, the generously listed 6 foot tall Paul swatting a 6-foot 10-inch power forward!
A few weeks ago I posted a video I shot of Amare dunking over and on Elton Brand, one of the better defensive players in the NBA. (Stoudemire Facial) Now he's getting blocked by tiny point guards down low. I know CP3 is a straight up baller, but there's no way in hell that this should ever happen... EVER!
It sure as hell shouldn't happen in a real game, or Amare should just drag himself off the court and persue a career as a turkey; their always getting stuffed.
I'm sure he'll bounce back though and have a great up comming season. This block still isn't as good as the one Amare layed on Tim Duncan in the Western Conference finals a year back.
Posted by: Degenerate of corn | July 24, 2006 at 09:36 PM
that looks photoshopped....
Posted by: geebs | July 24, 2006 at 10:02 PM
yeh , but it did not show the continuation and end of that shot .
amare stuffed the ball with chris paul stll hanging !
Posted by: nike | July 25, 2006 at 07:59 AM
The photo is legit. I pullled it off the NBA page on Yahoo.
Posted by: Craig | July 25, 2006 at 08:01 AM
You spelled Stoudemire wrong.
Posted by: Lucas | July 25, 2006 at 08:29 AM
viewing that pic, it looks like Amare has just barely left the floor. The old version would still have another 24in to rise and would power right through little c paul. But todays Amare seems to be pinned, and that makes me sad.
Posted by: ChrisH | July 25, 2006 at 10:08 AM
Just a sidenote. You'll notice Amare seems to be attempting his shot from behind/under the backboard. That's one of the hardest angles to score from, and also one of the places your shot is most likely to be blocked (because you have nowhere to go).
Posted by: basketbawful | July 25, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Looks like he stopped because he smashed his left hand on the bottom of the backboard.
Posted by: Jon | July 25, 2006 at 11:02 AM
Wow, pretty sad....I'm not going to make any real judgements until the season starts, but this isn't a good sign.
Amare was jaw-droppingly good in '05, it would be tragic if that was his last effective season.
Posted by: Emmett | July 25, 2006 at 11:14 AM
Good point b-bawful, just that the 2005 Amare wouldn't get blocked from any angle no matter how difficult the shot. Just ask the 2005 Tim Duncan, which you'll find on the bottom of Amare's shoes.
BTW - Spelling corrected, thanks for the tip Lucas. We NEVER want to get Amare confused with Damon in any way.
Posted by: Craig | July 25, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Is that the "new and improved ball" they are using? It looks like one of those waxed over balls you would find in a gift shop.
Posted by: Jaqs | July 25, 2006 at 01:15 PM
continuation and end of the shot? The man has his hand on top of the ball. If I was a betting man I would put my money on the fact that he's not going to make that shot.
Posted by: Pimp Dice | July 25, 2006 at 01:19 PM
I agree with both basketbawful and ChrisH: he's almost behind the goal, just barely getting off the ground. It's not like that's as high as he can jump, and suddenly waterbugs like Paul can hang with him. He's just trying to make a very tough shot, and they're probably not going full-on anyway. They're practicing. I won't read anyhting into this one.
Posted by: Chris Clarke | July 25, 2006 at 01:31 PM
you're stupid.....recovry from knee surgery....Did u see his last season? what, 20 points a game? oh, yeah thats what i thought, shut up
Posted by: Kyle | July 15, 2007 at 09:13 AM