Nightmare on Griffiths St.

It is apparent that Pheonix Suns forward/centre/freak/manchild Amare Stoudamire will be in the building this Friday evening when the Suns bring their revamped high flying offense into Canada. Question is, will Stoudamire be in the lineup when his Suns take on the Sonics in the first game played at GM Place since the Grizzlies traded in their Canadian flags for buckets of KFC. But if it were up to him, he’d be good to go. The fifth year standout, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee three weeks ago to repair ligament damage, the second knee surgery Stoudamire has had on both knees in as many years.

“It’s exciting to be back on the floor feeling this way again. It’s been two years, but it seems even longer,” Stoudemire told NBA.com in a rescent interview.

“Last year, there were times I got in foul trouble because I tried to do too much — things I wasn’t capable of yet and it wasn’t smart…So the goal is to raise the bar, physically and mentally, and bring out all the capabilities.”

Despite having a successful comeback year last season with the Suns, Stoudamire is eager to return to the form he was in in the 2005 playoffs. Do you remember or shall I jog your memories. Stoudamire averaged an incomperable 37.7 points a game in the Western finals, while making Tim Duncan look more like Tait Frier during our days at Westwind. The Suns did end up losing the series in five games, however Stoudamire’s popularity was catupulted to superstar status thanks to his unstoppable performance throught the series.

If in fact Stoudamire does remain healthy this season, along with the veteran presence of newcomer Grant Hill and if captain Steve Nash and company can keep streaky forward Shawn Marion quiet, and prove that he’s better off sharing the limelight with a contender rather than hogging it on a losing team, The Suns may finally shine some light on an NBA championship this season. Only time will tell. In the meantime, dont be suprised if the Sonics are sleeping with the light on tonight, because if Amare is in the lineup tommorrow in Vancouver, you can bet a nightmares a comin’.