Amar’e Stoudemire: Retiring as a member of the Suns ‘would’ve been the perfect way to go out’

When Amar’e Stoudemire retired from the NBA on Tuesday, many were surprised that he did so as a member of the New York Knicks rather than the Phoenix Suns.

Stoudemire spent more than half his career in Phoenix, making the Western Conference twice and earning five All-Star nods during that eight-season span. The highlights from his 4 ½ seasons with the Knicks are far less substantial — basically three first-round playoff exits and one All-Star appearance.

On Tuesday, he signed a one-day contract to retire with New York. “Once a Knick, Always a Knick,” he said in a statement that day.

But later in the week, Stoudemire revealed that the ceremonial signing could have happened in Phoenix, had the Suns pulled the trigger. After all, he told the Arizona Republic on Thursday, “ I bleed purple and orange.”

“The last two years, we made phone calls to Phoenix but I wasn’t getting any positive response,” Stoudemire told the Arizona Republic on Thursday. “That would’ve been the perfect way to go out. I didn’t want to beg Phoenix. My heart was in two places – Phoenix and New York. I just went where I was wanted.”

He added: “I love my fans in Phoenix. Most of my high times and highlights were in Phoenix. I put forth the effort to finish my career in Phoenix but it wasn’t well-received.”