Stoudemire shows flashes of former self in Vegas

	Amare Stoudemire is trying to get back into playing shape after sitting out nearly all of last season. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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LAS VEGAS -- There were moments Sunday night when you sensed it was coming for Amaré Stoudemire. An emphatic two-handed dunk over Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf brought back memories of the matchup nightmare that averaged 26.0 points and 8.9 rebounds during the 2004-05 season.

An effortless 19-foot jumper in the third quarter was a reminder Stoudemire was the only NBA player two years ago to rank in the top 10 in scoring and field-goal percentage.

Best of all was a full sprint from the opposite end of the court to block Lakers center Andrew Bynum's dunk attempt with 24.9 seconds remaining in a game that was no longer in doubt. That was an example of Stoudemire's desire to be great again. "I'm feeling pretty good, I can tell you that," said Stoudemire after his team's 99-91 win over the Lakers at the Thomas & Mack Center. "I definitely feel my legs coming back, how they worked before the injury."

Without the 6-foot-10 Stoudemire, the Suns advanced to the Western Conference finals, ultimately falling to Dallas in a gritty six-game series. Imagine how good this team can be if he returns to his previous form. His Vegas stat line was as oversized as his wingspan: 15 points, nine rebounds, five steals, four personal fouls, three turnovers and two blocks. He played 31 minutes (more than any other player), including the entire fourth quarter, the most game action he has seen since he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last April 5, which followed the microfracture surgery on his left knee last October.

"I'm going to play him 'til his lungs explode," said Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni. "He has to play. If he tells me he's a little tender, that's one thing, but right now we're trying to get him through some serious wind problems."

D'Antoni said the last two weeks have been baby steps for Stoudemire. Clearly his stamina is still not there, but what happened in Vegas is something the Suns hope doesn't stay in Vegas. "He was good tonight," D'Antoni said. "He was very active. The big test is Tuesday [when the Suns play the Clippers]; can he back this thing up?"

It's worth noting last night's game was played in same arena that will host the 2007 NBA All-Star Game next February. Stoudemire told reporters this summer he would play in that game, but he backed off a little bit last night. "Vegas is going to be a great place for the All-Star weekend but right now my focus is just trying to knock some of this rust off my game," he said. "I'm not really thinking that far ahead."