Amar'e Stoudemire Says He Would Have Stayed In Phoenix If Contract Had Been Longer (And Richer)

As we all know, Amar'e Stoudemire is now a member of the New York Knicks.

But STAT wanted to stay here in Phoenix, at least that's what he's saying now that he signed a huge contract.

All the Suns had to do was offer him fully guaranteed five-year maximum contract.

Oh, is that all? Amar'e makes it sound so simple.

Stoudemire says a five-year deal (that needed to include certain bells and whistles) would have easily persuaded him to stay.

"Definitely. If they had done that, I would have stayed,'' Stoudemire said in an interview with FanHouse over the weekend at the NBA Summer League. "They only gave me three years guaranteed.''

Only three years???

You mean a guy with a history of knee and eye problems, who doesn't play much (or any) defense and has lapses rebounding, deserves a maximum contract?

He does if you're the New York Knicks.

"I'm pretty over it,'' Stoudemire told FanHouse. "I'm now with the New York Knicks, and looking forward to making a playoff push.''

While the Knicks pray for a playoff spot, the Suns are trying to finally get over the hump and win a championship. Steve Nash probably doesn't give a damn how much he's making (although it's a nice amount).

Anyone who watches the Suns notices how hard Nash competes and how badly he wants a ring.

The same can't be said about Amar'e. He opted for the money and fame and the bright lights of the Big Apple.

He still has some fuzzy feelings for Phoenix, however, based on the sincere ad he took out last week.

But when it's mid-January, freezing cold in New York, and the Knicks only have a few wins, maybe Amar'e will wish he was still in the desert.

But with all that money, he should be able to buy himself a very warm coat.