On Tuesday afternoon, Amar’e Stoudemire announced his retirement from the NBA. Even though his career has been in decline for several years, he’s still extremely popular among former teammates and was one of the most exciting players in the league for a time in the mid-2000s before injuries took a toll on his athleticism. When he retired, tributes poured in from other NBA players on social media.
Dwyane Wade, who played with Stoudemire in Miami in his final season, showed his appreciation for the six-time All-Star on his Instagram page:
Stoudemire’s former Suns teammate Steve Nash, an iconic member of the Seven Seconds or Less teams who won two MVPs while playing alongside Stoudemire, also paid tribute to his former running mate:
Congrats to my brother @Amareisreal on a great career! I was lucky to play with you. Enjoy your next chapter.
— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) July 26, 2016
Jared Dudley decided to get in on the love as well. Like Nash, Dudley is a former Suns teammate of Stoudemire’s:
Congrats on a great career @Amareisreal!!! Learn a lot from you brotha! Enjoy the next phase in your life! https://t.co/odEk7kRG79
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) July 26, 2016
Two of Stoudemire’s most high-profile former Knicks teammates, Carmelo Anthony and Jeremy Lin, also paid their respects.
Congratulations to @Amareisreal on an incredible career @NYKnicks @NBA pic.twitter.com/c3C3VmrjQl
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) July 26, 2016
Congrats @Amareisreal on an amazing career…overcame a lot to make it to the NBA and persevered through a lot to have the career you had!!
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) July 26, 2016
Plenty of players who never got the chance to play with Stoudemire decided to weigh in on his fabulous career as well.
Congrats @amareisreal blessings King✊🏾 https://t.co/moKe2SQqbN
— Caron Butler (@realtuffjuice) July 26, 2016
@Amareisreal was a Monster!! Remember the battles with the Lakers growing up.. Happy Retirement
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 26, 2016
Congrats to my bro @Amareisreal on a stellar career!
— Jason Richardson (@jrich23) July 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/Larrydn22/status/758038848567771136
Enjoy retirement big dawg. Appreciate you man @Amareisreal
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) July 26, 2016
Respect to @Amareisreal for a great career. He helped pave the way for kids from Florida by putting them on the right path.
— Brandon Knight (@Goodknight11) July 27, 2016
Well I for sure have a great memory of playing against @Amareisreal… Congrats on a great career! pic.twitter.com/0bOUMshgn6
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) July 26, 2016
Stoudemire played 14 seasons in the NBA — eight with the Suns, four-plus with the Knicks, part of one with the Mavericks, and one with the Heat. He won Rookie of the Year in 2003, made six All-Star teams, and came in sixth in MVP voting in the 2007-08 season. One of the most dominant big men of his era, Stoudemire averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for his career.
