Home » Sports » Basketball
Stoudemire forced to miss worlds
July 22, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AMARE Stoudemire will not play for the United States in next month's world championships because of problems insuring his contract, a damaging blow to the Americans on the day training camp opened in Las Vegas.
The New York Knicks' new forward was expected to be one of the Americans' top players in Turkey, but the team learned of the change of plans on Tuesday.
The Knicks asked Stoudemire to pull out on Monday night and he understood, though he was looking forward to rejoining the team after playing for the US in the 2007 Olympic qualifying tournament.
ESPN.com first reported that Stoudemire might not be available to play in the championships that begin on August 28.
Stoudemire has had microfracture knee surgery among his injuries, a major reason Phoenix wouldn't offer him a maximum length contract. The Knicks then gave him a five-year deal worth nearly US$100 million, even while saying they weren't sure if the contract could be insured.
According to the Knicks, the insurance policy from Stoudemire's contract with the Suns is still in place, but it excludes his surgically repaired left knee. The Knicks have begun working to secure insurance on his new deal, but that hasn't been completed.
Totally healthy
"I understand the New York Knicks' concern, also wanting to make sure I'm totally healthy for next season," Stoudemire said. "I'm looking forward to having a big year with the Knicks organization, so I understand both sides."
Without proper insurance, National Basketball Association clubs can stop players from taking part in summer events.
"He had to pull out because he couldn't get insurance on his knees. So, he's not able to play," said Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who is an assistant with the US team. "I don't know if his (future USA Basketball) status has changed or not. I have no idea. I hate it for him, but it's business."
With the players who led the Americans to the 2008 Olympics gold medal taking the summer off, USA Basketball was counting on Stoudemire.
The New York Knicks' new forward was expected to be one of the Americans' top players in Turkey, but the team learned of the change of plans on Tuesday.
The Knicks asked Stoudemire to pull out on Monday night and he understood, though he was looking forward to rejoining the team after playing for the US in the 2007 Olympic qualifying tournament.
ESPN.com first reported that Stoudemire might not be available to play in the championships that begin on August 28.
Stoudemire has had microfracture knee surgery among his injuries, a major reason Phoenix wouldn't offer him a maximum length contract. The Knicks then gave him a five-year deal worth nearly US$100 million, even while saying they weren't sure if the contract could be insured.
According to the Knicks, the insurance policy from Stoudemire's contract with the Suns is still in place, but it excludes his surgically repaired left knee. The Knicks have begun working to secure insurance on his new deal, but that hasn't been completed.
Totally healthy
"I understand the New York Knicks' concern, also wanting to make sure I'm totally healthy for next season," Stoudemire said. "I'm looking forward to having a big year with the Knicks organization, so I understand both sides."
Without proper insurance, National Basketball Association clubs can stop players from taking part in summer events.
"He had to pull out because he couldn't get insurance on his knees. So, he's not able to play," said Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who is an assistant with the US team. "I don't know if his (future USA Basketball) status has changed or not. I have no idea. I hate it for him, but it's business."
With the players who led the Americans to the 2008 Olympics gold medal taking the summer off, USA Basketball was counting on Stoudemire.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
