Aug 2 2011

Amar’e Making Moves This Off-season.

Despite his back still being injured, Amar’e Stoudemire has been quite active this offseason. While he has not been able to workout, shoot around, or do cardio exercises, he has been working on his non-basketball hobbies. His fashion line (logo above) with designer Rachel Roy is set to be released soon, and has announced his partnership with Big Lead Sports to create his own sports/fashion website.

Stoudemire has worked closely with designer Rachel Roy on her RACHEL Rachel Roy clothing line. The line is the cheaper, “younger sister” version of her Rachel Roy line. Roy says that she loves to work with people at the top of their game in other areas, and Stoudemire definitely fits that mold. Stoudemire has helped her develop what is described as “courtside apparel for women”. The line targets sporty women who are looking to wear sporting apparel classier than what is sold in sporting good stores, but casual enough to wear at an athletic event. Stoudemire says:

“I wanted to bring something to women who go and watch basketball games or want to be comfortable on the weekends and still look polished and chic -– clothes that could be dressed up or dressed down.”

Many of the pieces bear Stoudemire’s number 1, the Knicks logo, or the Star of David in which Stoudemire has a tattoo of on his hand. It is said that Stoudemire will be coming out with a line for men after he is finished with his current work. Here is a sketch sample of some of Roy/Stoudemire’s work:

Stoudemire has also struck a deal with Big Lead Sports to create his own sports and fashion website. One of his main goals is to boost the popularity of fantasy basketball which pails in popularity to fantasy baseball and football. It’s also rumored that the site will try and create an educational curriculum. Amar’e says:

“From fantasy basketball, it’s a great way for you to learn math without you even knowing it.”

Stoudemire will become a shareholder of Big Lead Sports and an advisor to the company.

Amar’e's moves show how well rounded of a man he is. Clearly he understands that his basketball career will not last forever, and it is admirable that he uses his stature in the sports world to make opportunities for himself outside of basketball. In addition to being an NBA all-star, Stoudemire has been a model citizen ever since he joined the NBA in 2002. Having dealt with attending multiple high schools as a kid, the death of his father and an alcoholic mother who has been in and out of prison, Amar’e is the ideal rags to riches story and he should be an inspiration to kids everywhere. I take my hat off to Stoudemire for all his accomplishments and I hope he continues to flourish.

[Images via Glamzons]
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By • Amare Stoudemire • 1 • Tags: , , ,

Aug 2 2011

The Final Word on Jerome Jordan Deal

I have been on vacation the past 2 weeks so I have not been able to post many posts so now I will catch up on all the posts that I have fallen behind on. One of them was all the Jerome Jordan news that went on the past week.

Last week Jerome Jordan, the 7 foot center who was a second round pick that the Knicks purchased from Milwaukee last offseason, signed a deal to play in Slovenia for the Krka club in the event of a lockout. Last season, Jordan played in Serbia for KK Hermofam. The great thing about Jordans contract is that he has an out clause for next season. It has been reported that the Knicks will buy Jordan out for 500,000 from Krka when the lockout ends. I love this move for Jordan in that he can get playing time that he needs to refine his game and when the Knicks can play games they will have him. It is also a great move for Jordan because as a 2nd round pick he is guaranteed nothing from the Knicks. There is a chance he will not make the team when the NBA resumes. He will for sure be playing ball for money and he can play for the Knicks whenever the season starts. It is great for Jordan and great for the Knicks. I am very interested to see how he contributes once NBA games start being played. If he becomes a stud, or at least an above average defensive center, he will contribute greatly to the Knicks.

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By • Management • 0

Aug 2 2011

Mike Woodson to Interview For Knicks Defensive Assistant Position

According to Marc Berman of the NY Post, former Knicks draftee and Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson will interview for the Knicks Defensive Assistant position this week.

“Mike Woodson, former Hawks head coach, is expected to be in New York this week interviewing with Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni to become his defensive assistant coach, according to a person familiar with the situation.”

Woodson is not particularly known as a “defensive genius” but he was a good coach in Atlanta and is a former player. I believe he will be open to a 1 year contract because he was, like Lawrence Frank, rumored for multiple head coaching jobs this offseason and will be rumored for many more next offseason. I think this would be a fantastic hire if we could make it. However that is a big if. For starters, Woodson is also being considered for the vacant Minnesota Timberwolves head coaching position. Woodson also has the same agent, Joe Glass, that represents ex Knick coach Larry Brown. Brown and Glass did not have a good relationship with Dolan and management while Brown was the coach and that relationship only got worse when Brown was fired and his contract situation had to be sorted out by the NBA. Who knows if Dolan will even agree to let Woodson be hired if he in fact is D’Antoni’s choice. There are many question marks around this hire but I think if we could get Woodson we would improve greatly next season.

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By • Management • 0