By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The two pillars of the “Seven Seconds or Less” Phoenix Suns are reportedly reuniting. As coaches.
Former NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire is joining the Brooklyn Nets coaching staff as an assistant, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Stoudemire’s role will reportedly focus on player development.
The hire reunites Stoudemire with Nets head coach Steve Nash, who played alongside the big man for six seasons in Phoenix. One of their teammates for two seasons on those Suns: current Nets general manager Sean Marks.
Stoudemire’s last NBA appearance came in the 2015-16 season with the Miami Heat, and has since played overseas and the BIG3 league. Like Nash, this will be Stoudemire’s first full-time coaching role at any level.
It was probably one of the most-explosive 1-2 punches we saw in the NBA, former MVP Steve Nash operating and diming while fellow All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire catching passes and throwing down ferocious dunks.
While Nash continued to enjoy some success with the Phoenix Suns, the same couldn’t be said about Stoudemire after leaving the team.
As per Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Nets and Stoudemire have agreed to a deal to be a part of their coaching staff, setting up a reunion with his old pal Nash.
NBA fans and analysts are already excited about what Nash and Stoudemire can bring to the table for the Nets and if they can lead them to a trip to the Finals.
With explosive players in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant headlining the team, will we see the same offensive design as what the “Seven Seconds or Less” Phoenix Suns had?