Stoudemire Anticipates ‘Bounce Back’ Year

Amare Stoudemire has been in Houston working with Hakeem Olajuwon for the past five days.

On Thursday, he provided a glimpse into his workouts with the Hall of Famer.

In a video released via Stoudemire’s YouTube channel, the Knicks big man also explained why he decided to work with Olajuwon.

“I’m doing it for my fans in New York who’ve been sticking with me from a tough year last year,” Stoudemire says. “I can’t wait to bounce back next season and give it all I got and try to bring a championship (to New York).”

NBA BEATS - I would sure hope so. He did not do much. I don't really think he can do much without a Steve Nash. Amare is just a charge waiting to happen. Every time I see him make a move to the hoop I think here comes a charge. That being said I think Hakeem Olajuwon is the best player for Amare to try to mimic. Hakeem was the best big man I have seen play. I like bigs that have skill. Shaq and Dwight Howard have pure strength and they are dominating, it is just not the type of basketball I like to watch. I have never been a Shaq or Howard fan. Olajuwon had moves. Amare has quick feet and is capable of making moves. Amare is good with the pick and roll. Nash and Amare pick and roll sounds a lot more appealing that a Nash and Howard pick and roll. That is just a traveling call waiting to happen. Unless it is a alley oop for a dunk. Howard can't pop and shoot. Amare needs a point gaurd. He needed Lin. Raymond Felton? Are you kidding me. Thats a joke. Lin didn't want to stay there with thug town Melo and J.R. Smith. Both those guys didn't like Lin. They don't fit in with the Harvard type. All that being said Amare could have a bounce back year because he is pretty skillfull. But he does need to be set up.

Will Sixers Offer Bynum Max Extension?

A source said the Sixers have yet to reach out to (Andrew) Bynum’s agent, David Lee, about an extension, but there will be plenty of time for that. When the sides begin to talk about an extension for Bynum, the Sixers can offer the max — three years and $60 million. However, if Bynum were to test free agency, he could command a five-year, $100 million deal.

Though Bynum reportedly said that he would only sign an extension with the Lakers, it’s worth noting that he grew up in Plainsboro, N.J., near Princeton. Certainly a Jersey kid would want to stay close to home, right?

NBABEATS - I think they should. Who knows what he is capable of being in a different situation. For some players it is all about the situation. He might end up being better than Dwight Howard. If Steve Kerr was never on the Bulls with MJ would we all know who he is? Maybe, but not likely. Some people will just flurish is different enviroments. Maybe Philadelphia is just the town to shake that inconsistency tag he has always had.

Smith Trying to Recruit Howard to Atlanta?

(Josh) Smith, who also grew up in Atlanta, has known (Dwight) Howard since preschool. They joke that they’ve been balling together since they were in diapers. The two boys remained friends as they completed grade after grade and started developing into the physical specimens we see today. They formed one of the best AAU duos in the nation and talked about someday playing together in the NBA. When Smith got married two years ago, Howard was the best man in his wedding. Smith admits that he would love to reunite with Howard in Atlanta.

“Who wouldn’t want a guy like that on your team?” Smith said of Howard when HOOPSWORLD caught up with him in Las Vegas. “He’s the best big man in the league. I’d love to have him. Who wouldn’t? He’s the most dominant big in the game right now.

“We do have a lot of money coming off the books, especially after this year. I don’t know what the plans are. I guess every team that’s unloading money, the media thinks they’re targeting Dwight.”

Smith said that if Howard were to join the Hawks, it’d be “icing on the cake.”

Kobe Bryant May Finish Career Overseas

The idea intrigues Kobe Bryant: A farewell season beyond the completion of his Los Angeles Lakers career, a victory lap in a European destination that bookends a blessed basketball life. NBA stars rise and fall in performance and popularity, but the loudest cheers, the biggest crowds, the most reverential treatment never changes for Bryant.

He’s a transcendent icon overseas, borne of an unparalleled blend of life as a Laker and winner of five championships, two scoring titles, and an MVP award. What’s more, Bryant is one of them. In his formative years, Europe was home. He speaks Italian and Spanish. He hangs around soccer stadiums. Bryant travels to Europe and it all comes so easily to him. As he chases his second gold medal with Team USA in these Olympic Games, his basketball future in Europe remains ripe with possibilities.

Asked about the possibility of playing a season in Europe, Bryant told Yahoo! Sports: “It would be natural for me to go do it. It wouldn’t be a stretch at all. I grew up here.”

Paul Pierce Wants to Experience Free Agency

Paul Pierce, after giving away awards and working with kids at his annual basketball camp at Basketball City near TD Garden, continued to discuss the Celtics and his personal future:

About his contract, which has a team option for 2013-14: “I think I am going to play this one out. I want to see what it feels like to be a free agent for once in my life. I think I am going to play this one out. A lot can change in two years. My body (may not) be where I want it to be, I could retire, a lot of things could happen. It’s not about the money at this point. I love the game. I made as much money as I possibly can. It’s about winning a championship and if I feel like it’s the right thing to do.

If he uncomfortable with the team option?: “Not at all. I mean if they don’t want me back, I feel like I’m good enough and I’ll be wanted by a lot of teams. I’m coming into this year and I just made another all-star team at 34. So I’m still feel like I’m playing at a great level.”

Doc Rivers to Blame For Allen Leaving?

In his first lengthy and candid interview on the circumstances since Allen spurned a two-year, $12 million offer to sign with the Heat in July, Rivers told Yahoo! Sports that his decisions to relegate Allen to a sixth-man role and give point guard Rajon Rondo complete freedom with the ball and leadership were ultimately what helped lead Allen to leave Boston.

Allen, a future Hall of Fame guard, left the Celtics full of acrimony and disillusionment, ending a spectacular five-year run with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce as Boston’s Big Three. Allen signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Heat.

“People can use all the Rondo stuff – and it was there, no doubt about that – but it was me more than Rondo,” said Rivers, who is working as an NBC analyst during the Olympics. “I’m the guy who gave Rondo the ball. I’m the guy who decided that Rondo needed to be more of the leader of the team. That doesn’t mean guys liked that – and Ray did not love that – because Rondo now had the ball all the time.

Roy Never Wanted to Officially Retire

Brandon Roy’s retirement from the NBA last year wasn’t intended as a final decision.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were eager to help him clarify his status.

“After a few months of sitting out, I decided, ‘Hey, I don’t want to stop playing basketball,’ ” Roy said Tuesday at a news conference at Target Center after signing a two-year, $10.4 million contract. “I wanted to continue going forward. It was never a situation where I said, ‘I’m done forever.’ It’s just more of a pause.”

The Portland Trail Blazers announced Roy’s medical-related retirement right before the start of the lockout-shortened season last year. His knees, lacking cartilage after six operations, were bothering him too much to continue. Roy said Tuesday, though, that the team doctor advised him to quit. The Blazers used the amnesty clause to waive Roy and not count the remaining $63 million on his contract against their salary cap or luxury tax.

“It was never really officially my decision to retire,” Roy said.