Amare Stoudemire Officially Out for the Season
March 5, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Injuries, NFL Player Analysis
According to the surgeon who operated on Amare Stoudemire’s eye to fix a detached retina, there is no way that Stoudemire will be able to return this season. In fact, his recovery could take months and there’s no guarantee that his eye will ever be 100% again.
Obviously, this is horrible news for Stoudemire, the Phoenix Suns and Stoudemire fantasy owners. Owners who had him in a redraft league can safely drop him. His dynasty value also takes a big hit.
Without Stoudemire, the Suns will have to get scoring and rebounding elsewhere. Shaquille O’Neal has been picking up the slack and has put together a few big games. O’Neal isn’t great in all fantasy formats but he is certainly producing right now.
One sleeper on the team who could become a factor is Stromile Swift. After being waived by the Nets, Swift signed with the Suns. Although he’s not nearly as good as Stoudemire, he’s an amazing athlete who could thrive in the up-and-down tempo of the Suns.
Overall, the chances of the Suns making the playoffs now appear slim. The chances of Stoudemire returning even if they make the playoffs is now none.
