The trade deadline was a month ago, and so you ask: Which player has sizzled the most since then? How about Amar'e Stoudemire, the one who stayed put?
Nobody's name was mentioned more than Stoudemire, and he's playing like he's with a new team. He rolled 41 points on the Spurs last week, had three straight 30-point games and has upped his board work, too. He may be with his old team, but he's looking like a new man. This is probably the best sign yet that Stoudemire might opt out from that final year ($17 million), if his play of late can convince someone to pay him max money this summer (good luck).
The Suns aren't the only team benefitting from the deadline. A few others are flourishing with their new addition(s) and reinventing themselves as the playoffs near. Here's our look at some of the key players who changed uniforms:
Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, Mavericks: So far, so good. But we'll see what happens in the playoffs with two players who've never felt the pressure of title hopes in their NBA lives. Butler seems happy when his number is called (six games of 18 or more points) or when he's asked to play a supporting role. Haywood brings a livelier body than Erick Dampier, and as added incentive, he's playing for cha-ching this summer.
John Salmons, Bucks: Never understood why Salmons has collected checks from four teams (Sixers, Kings, Bulls, Bucks) in his career. He's a solid player with all-around skills, works hard, brings good character and doesn't demand the ball. It's no coincidence the Bucks began their post-All-Star tear after he arrived. He's averaging nearly 19 a game since.
Antawn Jamison, Cavs: Jamison has demonstrated the perfect temperament needed to play alongside a larger-than-life LeBron James. His ego is submerged and he's willing to play the Scottie Pippen role, not that he has a choice. Other than falling in love with the 3-point shot, his production (16.7 ppg, 47 percent shooting as a Cav) is what Cleveland needed.
Marcus Camby, Blazers: Hey, he's thrilled just to be walking without a limp, given what happened to Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden. Camby is most likely a rent-a-replacement this season for the Blazers; his next stop could be Miami or a return to the Knicks. He can still rebound and defend, as proven by his 17 boards against the Warriors last week.
Kevin Martin, Rockets: He's the rare mid-season trade arrival who became the go-to guy for his new team. But that role could be temporary. No matter what he does this season, his true value to the Rockets will be weighed once Yao Ming returns next season and the Rockets need shooters to spread the floor.
Tyrus Thomas, Bobcats: After a strong start where he got decent minutes and scored in double-figures in seven of his first eight games in Charlotte, Thomas has reverted back into the same player he was in Chicago: high on tease, short on impact. Whether he becomes a solid starter or merely a role player is still iffy.
Tracy McGrady, Knicks: Flashes of brilliance, combined with clouds of doubt. At this point, T-Mac is using his stint with the Knicks to showcase himself this summer for one last payday. So what's the verdict? His knee isn't fully healed and NBA folks aren't fully convinced.
Nate Robinson, Celtics: He brings a few more dimensions than Eddie House, and yet isn't the answer for what ails the Celtics. Little Nate could score more if the minutes were increased, but no way are the Celtics doing that and risk disrupting the flow of their Big Three. Without playing time to show his worth, he'll have to fight for table scraps this summer during free agency.
Carl Landry, Kings: He's getting 17 points and seven rebounds for the Kings and has quickly made himself part of the core, along with Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi. This trade is working out nicely. If the Kings hit bulls-eye in the Draft, they'll have quite the young rotation.
Josh Howard, Wizards: How's this for a career plunge? He made some unfortunate comments in Dallas that got YouTube-d, was traded from a playoff team and then suffered a torn ACL that'll need six months to heal after surgery. Oh, and the Wizards will likely cut him loose this summer. Can you say tough luck?
Al Thornton, Wizards: Is he a star on the rise, or a rising role player? So far, he's been both in Washington, someone who scored 24 points with 11 rebounds against the Celtics and then shot 1-for-9 against Utah. Next season will tell.
Ronnie Brewer, Grizzlies: After suffering from a bad hammy, his audition to replace Rudy Gay (should Gay bolt this summer via free agency) begins now. With quality minutes, Brewer can make himself known for something other than having the strangest-looking jump shot.
Steve Blake, Clippers: He must be scratching his crew cut, wondering how he went from the Blazers (playoff money) to the Clippers (misery), and also about his future role on a team with Baron Davis and Eric Gordon.
Flip Murray, Bulls: Seven teams in five seasons for a decent role player. Hopefully, Flip rented instead of buying. Come to think of it, he has the perfect nickname that sums up his rapid change of addresses. For now on, when a player is swapped this often, we'll say he's been Flipped.
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