Heat's Stoudemire: 'I feel like I can still get back to that All-Star level of play'
The narrative surrounding Amar'e Stoudemire for the past few years has focused primarily on his inability to stay on the court.
Despite playing an average of 51 games per season since the 2012-13 campaign, "STAT" believes he is capable of reaching the caliber of play achieved only by the league's elite.
"I feel like I can still get back to that All-Star level of play," he told The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.
When the Miami Heat added the 32-year-old Florida native to their roster in July on a one-year deal, the expectation was that Stoudemire would back up Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside.
While the difference between being an actual All-Star and playing at an All-Star level is nuanced, the Heat may not necessarily need Stoudemire to produce top-tier numbers. The team already has several recent All-Stars in Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, and Bosh, with point guard Goran Dragic being on the verge himself.
Should Stoudemire manage to stay healthy and contribute solid production for Miami's second unit, their hopes of regaining some form of postseason success would receive a much-welcomed boost.
Outspoken analyst Charles Barkley has regularly reiterated that Father Time is undefeated - a reality that may render Stoudemire's All-Star goals somewhat lofty. That, and the fact that bench players almost never make the All-Star Game.
Nevertheless, Stoudemire is a six-time All-Star who knows what it takes to achieve such an honor.
"Just four years ago I was an MVP candidate and an All-Star," he said.
Over the course of his 13-year career, Stoudemire has logged averages of 19.8 points (53.6 FG%), 8.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, with a cumulative 22 PER.
The ninth pick in the 2002 draft earned Rookie of the Year honors before eventually being named to the All-NBA first team (once) and second team (four times) in the years that followed.
How high Heat fans will see Stoudemire soar next season is yet to be determined. Regardless, he seems poised for a strong outing in 2015-16.
"I have a lot of skill set left in this body and I want to show that. Stay tuned."