Amar’e Stoudemire announces retirement from National Basketball Association

Stoudemire signed a non-guaranteed contract with the New York Knicks so he could retire as a member of the organization where he spent nearly five years of his career from 2010 to 2015, and the team made the announcement in a press release on Tuesday.

He declared, “Once a Knick, always a Knick”, and said he was thankful to owner James Dolan, general manager Steve Mills and team president Phil Jackson for allowing him to opportunity to retire as a Knick.

In the summer of 2010, after the New York Knicks struck out on LeBron James, their consolation prize was signing Stoudemire to a massive contract, and at first, it looked like a flawless match – Stoudemire averaged a career-high 25.3 points per game in his first New York season and embraced the bigger spotlight in New York City. Wherever he went, he said in a statement, “My heart had always remained in the Big Apple”. Stoudemire meant a lot to NY in intention if not in practice, and I’ll always relish those stretches of vintage performance, plus everything he did prior. In addition to six NBA All-Star berths, he was named to five All-NBA Teams (two first teams, three second teams) and was the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year. “Once a Knick, Always a Knick”.

In five seasons with the Knicks (the fifth broken up after he was waived in February of 2015), Stoudemire had his final All-Star honor in 2010-11 by averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 blocks per game.

Amar’e Stoudemire made sure that he was still a member of the New York Knicks when he retired.

Amar’e Stoudemire, 33, announced his retirement July 26 after 14 incredible seasons in the National Basketball Association, but he’s going out on his own terms, literally. He played for the Dallas Mavericks last season. He opted to retire with NY, where he played from 2010-2015. Stoudemire finished his career averaging 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

At the time, Stoudemire said of his lone season with the Heat, “It’s been a pretty good year”.

Stoudemire has a decently strong Hall of Fame case.

“Stoudemire’s seasons with our franchise provided the most thrilling Suns basketball the city has ever experienced”.

The new Knicks fan won’t understand this, but Stoudemire made it cool to play at Madison Square Garden again.