The Phoenix Suns must feel as though a truck ran them over the last couple of days. First, they were unable to move superstar Amare Stoudamire and save the money they had planned on. Then, they find out that Amare Stoudamire will be out for what will likely be the remainder of the NBA regular season. Not only did they retain his huge contract, but now they have to pay even as he is forced to sit out.

Stoudamire injured his right eye in a game Wednesday against the Clippers, and he had surgery for a partially detached retina. It is the second time that same eye has been hurt this season. The offical word on Stoudamire’s return is unclear but has been estimated at eight weeks. Though people have returned sooner and later than that estimate, that is a probable time line the Sun’s should expect to be without their All Star.

According to all involved in Suns operations, the prognosis for this type of surgery is quite good and a 100 percent recovery is expected. Vision usually recovers well from this surgery. One must wonder if Stoudamire may consider goggles again when he does return to the hardwood. Ironically, in October Stoudamire injured the same eye when he was poked by a teammate. He wore goggles for a short time then, but ended up ditching them after the discomfort and effect it had on his game. He is probably going to be a bit gunshy about the eye, and goggles helps to give a player confindence in that situation.

The Suns have had a very explosive week. In addition to Stoudamire, the Suns had just replaced coach Terry Porter with Alvin Gentry on Monday. The team has been responding very well to the change, and then Stoudamire and Shaquille ended up staying. The timing for Stoudamire’s injury could not have really been any worse. The adversity is sure to help them grow up as a team, however, and they will be a better team when he returns. The Suns had a habit of leaning too heavily on Stoudamire. That can cause problems when he is double teamed. This will force some other players in the Sun’s lineup to step up for those big shots at crunch time.

Though the season has been tough, the Suns are in the running for a playoff spot. They are only one game behind Utah, and have a record of 30-23. Before the injury, it was widely believed that the Suns would ultimately make the playoffs. They still may, but this certainly puts a damper on the hopes of Sun’s fans. Louis Amundson will likely play in Stoudamire’s stead. That is a pretty severe dropoff in talent, and the Suns are sure to feel it during this playoff run. You can not take away a player of Stoudamire’s caliber and not feel the effects of it to the core of your team.

Tagged with: amare stoudamire, nba, phoenix suns

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