PHOENIX (AP) -Amare Stoudemire shone on his home court in what might be his last game as a Sun.
The Phoenix power forward, being shopped around the NBA in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline, scored 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting in 24 minutes for the West in his team’s 146-119 All-Star victory over the East Sunday night.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal grabbed the attention. Stoudemire was more than solid in a supporting role in a contest that features lots of offense and precious little defense – precisely what critics have said about his game.
He was cheered loudly by the crowd when he was announced as a starter for the West. A couple of turnovers marred his first few minutes, but he picked it up after that.
When Stoudemire entered the game with 5:18 left in the second quarter, he quickly made a layup that put his team up 58-56. With 1:53 remaining in the half, he took a pass from Brandon Roy for a fastbreak dunk, then added a pair of free throws with 1:06 to play.
p, then got a double-pump fastbreak dunk with 40.1 seconds to go.
It was a fitting end to his strong night.
Suns fans may never get to see him do that again in a Phoenix uniform.
Stoudemire has a year left on his contract and the cost-conscious Suns were unlikely to pay him the amount he will command for a new deal.
He is just 26 years old, and he wondered on Friday why he has lost his status as foundation of a franchise.
But, he said then, “If my last home game is as an All-Star starter here, that would be a great way to go out.”
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