The Miami Heat took a chance this summer to bring in some talent to bolster their bench. They actually took more than one chance in free agency by not only bringing in Gerald Green but also Amar’e Stoudemire to help the rotation for the Heat in an attempt to dethrone LeBron James as the reigning Eastern Conference Champions.
The Heat roster is full of veterans and they are at a point where a lot of these guys may not have another chance in the NBA to succeed at this level. For Stoudemire, the reason why he might not see anytime beyond this season could be the fact that he might hang it up after this season is over.
Following from Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post.
“For me to still be playing in the league at this point is a blessing,” he said when discussing Miami’s maintenance program. “There’s no telling how much time I’ve got left. Father Time is ticking. My body has been through a lot in my career. This year could be– You just never know what the future holds as far as my career is concerned.”
At a minimum, he sounds like he will evaluate whether to keep playing after this season.
“All that wear and tear and playing and athleticism and being explosive to the basket, it adds up,” he said while describing his issue as a variety of ailments rather than simply knee trouble. “We’ll see what the math ends up being toward the end of the year.”
Stoudemire didn’t play in the Heat’s season opener against the Charlotte Hornets and it’s ok, the Heat didn’t need him. For the stretch run, they will need his ability to come off the bench and score and run a potentially great pick and roll with former teammate Goran Dragic.
If it is the end for Amar’e, don’t expect the often animated and excited Stoudemire to just laydown and let this season end. Despite his injury issues, Amar’e will try to make it work at least one last time.
