I am beginning to doubt if some people on here ever played the game of basketball. Which is totally fine but you have to understand why Amare's game is off.
1. Amare thrived last year because he played the center position. The reason for this is becasue most centers defending him are hesistant to step out to guard him allowing him wide open midrange shots. When they did step up he blew past them becuase of him playing out of position.
2. This year he's playing his "natural position" at the power forward. This means he is guarded by more athletic more agile, quicker defenders. Now they are up on him disrubiting his timing on his jump shots. They also move faster from side to side causing him to dribble and turn over.
3. With the two points above said this year is the year he needs a point guard most. He needs the pick and roll to get his looks, and to free up his mid range. He needs guards who penatrate and kick the ball out to 10-15 feet away.
-If we look at Amare's shots this year he is really getting the ball in horrible spots. Not in rythm and not in the flow of the offense.
Here is a video of Amare's highlights from last season. Pay paticular attention who is scoring his jump shots on. Also look at his dunks, most of them come off passes off penetration by guards or by him blowing passed Centers who cant keep up with him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrdA_NKceBc
For Amare to be successful as he was last year a few things need to happen:
1. He needs a decent pg to set him up.
2. Amare NEEDS his jumper back.
3. Dantoni NEEDS to be smart and sometimes have Amare play the 5 when chandler is resting this causes many match up problems for other teams.
4. Only play him at the Center when your not playing teams who dont have centers that can score. So dont play him at center against, Lakers, Magic, Memphis and teams like that.
5. Chandler needs to hug the baseline when Amare is in the pick n roll.