Amar'e Stoudemire, Mike D'Antoni praise Phoenix Suns in HOF speeches

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Former Phoenix Suns greats Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni delivered their Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction speeches on Aug. 15 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Here’s what Stoudemire and D'Antoni said about their time in Phoenix as both received standing ovations at the conclusion of their speeches at Symphony Hall.

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Stoudemire: Suns 'molded me as a basketball player'

“Playing for Phoenix as a rookie was important for me. As a high school player, growing up in Florida, you know, you're going to the NBA, and it's a different world. And to have an organization that understood that and really brought me in, and really molded me as a basketball player, helped me to become who I am today.”

A McDonald’s All-American who endured an unstable upbringing, Stoudemire had verbally committed to play at Memphis under then head coach John Calipari, but he elected to enter the 2002 NBA Draft.

“I had a pre-draft workout with a couple of teams, worked out in Phoenix. I had a brilliant workout. I felt great about that, and I was drafted ninth to the Phoenix Suns as a high schooler. At that time, Jerry Colangelo was the owner, Bryan Colangelo was GM. Rick Welts was there. So, I was ready to try to take on this journey of the NBA as a high schooler, a true high schooler.”

Jerry Colangelo (‘04), Grant Hill (‘18), Tracy McGrady (‘17), Steve Nash (‘18), D’Antoni (‘26) and Welts (‘18) were Stoudemire’s Hall of Fame presenters.

Stoudemire, 43, enters the Hall of Fame as a player.

“And mind you, I played two years of high school basketball. I played my freshman year, and my senior year. So, in the midst of all this turmoil, always stay focused, and I stay locked in, and I persevered through all of it.”

The ninth overall pick in the 2002 draft, Stoudemire was voted NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2002-03 season.

“When I got to the NBA, I started learning the game. When you're a high school player, you're 6-10, you're athletic. The coach is like, ‘Yeah, go out there and play, you got it,’ and you just go out there and do what you know how to do, but when I got to the NBA, I started learning the game.”

Stoudemire credited his veteran teammates, specifically Penny Hardaway, Tom Gugliotta and Stephon Marbury, for guidance and support during his rookie season.

“These guys that were there my first year, I would ask these guys questions, and I'm the type of player that I’m going to ask executives questions also. I'm speaking to Eddie Johnson, who was a color commentator. I'm talking to the team security, Kevin Tucker. I'm hanging out with Scott Williams. These older, veteran guys that would teach me how to be a professional, and how to really live and form myself into a basketball player, but also into a professional.”

Averaging 21.4 points and 8.9 rebounds in his eight seasons with the Suns, Stoudemire reflected on returning from major left knee surgery during his time in Phoenix.

“Now, I’m facing adversity once again. I averaged 37 points in the Western Conference finals (in 2005). My career is, like, taking off big time. The following summer, I come back to training camp, we're trying to win a championship. Me, Steve, Shawn (Marion), the guys, we're trying to win a championship. I go into training camp, and I get the news that I got to have microfracture surgery. I had no idea what that even meant. At that time, microfracture surgeries, it’s called retirement.”

Stoudemire played just three games in the 2005-06 season.

“It was very difficult for me to deal with that because I was on the trajectory, on a path to be with the greats, and I had to sit out a full year. It was excruciating pain to recover from that. And I'm hearing all the news. It was like, ‘Stoudemire, he may not be the same. It’s over for him’ and this and that. So once again, perseverance stepped in. I followed the training staff. Most of the medical and training staff is here tonight. I followed their leadership. I trained perfectly. I did everything I could do to get back to 100%.”

Stoudemire made All-NBA first team the following season in 2006-07. One of the game's most explosive and athletic players at 6-10, Stoudemire finished his NBA career with five All-NBA selections and six All-Star nods.

“Played all 82 games (in 2006-07) and we took off from there.”

D’Antoni: 'Together, we influenced the game' 

“In Phoenix, we had incredible talent. Shawn Marion. Quentin Richardson. Boris Diaw. Raja Bell. Joe Johnson. Grant Hill and this guy, Amar’e Stoudemire. Amar'e, you posterized so many people? That's crazy. Then we signed this long-haired Canadian soccer player, Steve Nash. Steve, I am proud that your two MVP titles were won with the Suns. All of you guys are the reason why coaching is so rewarding."

Jerry Colangelo (‘04), Bob McAdoo (‘00), Rod Thorn (‘18), Nash (‘18) and Stoudemire (‘26) were D’Antoni’s Hall of Fame presenters.

D'Antoni, 75, entered the Hall of Fame as a contributor, not a coach.

“Special thanks to my Suns coaches, Alvin Gentry, Phil Weber, Dan D’Antoni, Marc Iavaroni, and to Bryan Colangelo and Julie Fie, Rick Welts, for being instrumental in building the success. You know, it wasn't easy, but our players and coaches had the courage to embrace a different way of playing, and together, we influenced the game.”

D’Antoni coached the Suns to a 62-win season in 2004-05, 61 victories in 2006-07 and two trips to the Western Conference finals. He won NBA Coach of the Year twice (2004-05 in Phoenix, 2016-17 with the Houston Rockets).

Playing a style built on speed, 3s and small ball he developed playing and coaching overseas, D’Antoni posted a 253-136 record in five seasons in Phoenix with his "Seven Seconds or Less" system.

“Phoenix also gave me a lifelong friendship with this man, Jerry Colangelo. Jerry, for more than 20 years, you've been an advisor, friend. Thank you for your guidance and generosity and your remarkable ability to get us into Bianco's pizzeria. I appreciate it.”

A former Suns team owner, Jerry Colangelo developed a friendship with Chris Bianco, owner of Pizzeria Bianco in downtown Phoenix.

“Also, I want to thank Jerry and Mike Krzyzewski for giving me the opportunity to coach with Team USA. You know, winning Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 alongside some of the greatest players in the world, the coaches in the world, was an epic experience.”

D’Antoni closed the Phoenix segment of his speech thanking Suns team owner Mat Ishbia and the franchise.

“We have a very large contingent (here) from the Phoenix Suns. Thank you to Mat Ishbia, and the Suns organization for your support. You have a special organization and a great city.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Amar'e Stoudemire, Mike D'Antoni praise Phoenix Suns in HOF speeches

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