Former NBA All-Star power forward Amar’e Stoudemire retired recently after a stellar 14-year career. Stoudemire last played with the Miami Heat.
Many were surprised that the 33-year-old decided to retire as a member of the New York Knicks instead of the Phoenix Suns. Stoudemire’s best years were clearly in Phoenix, as his injury issues and decline began in his Knicks stint.
Stoudemire finally explained why, as the Suns had no interested in signing him when he wanted to make a Kevin Garnett-style reunion with the team.
“The last two years, we made phone calls to Phoenix, but I wasn’t getting any positive response,” Stoudemire said Thursday, according to azcentral sports. “That would’ve been the perfect way to go out. I didn’t want to beg Phoenix. My heart was in two places—Phoenix and New York. I just went where I was wanted.
“I wasn’t just going to keep knocking on someone’s door that wasn’t going to answer. I love my fans in Phoenix. Most of my high times and highlights were in Phoenix. I put forth the effort to finish my career in Phoenix but it wasn’t well-received.
“I bleed purple and orange.”
Stoudemire hopes to at least be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor like Steve Nash did last season.
“I’m praying for that,” he said.
STAT played with the Suns from 2002-10, and is ranked in the top 5 in many of the franchise’s all-time stat categories. Sad that they did him like that.