It’s pretty interesting to see how different players are handling the lockout. Most of the guys who are playing overseas are guys who haven’t made a ton of cash yet, while the guys with serious bank are doing other things. One of those guys is Amar’e Stoudemire, who apparently is pitching a new TV show.
Earlier in October, New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire pitched to a handful of major networks a half-hour scripted comedy that he is developing with producers Jeff Kwatinetz and Happy Walters, who is Stoudemire’s agent and president of Rogue Sports, Relativity Media’s sports business.
Of course, we got our hands on Amar’e’s pilot
Episode 1
“The Opposite”
[Amar’e Stoudemire is sitting in a cafe with his pal, Carmelo, drinking coffee]
Amar’e
You got a raise?
Carmelo
I don’t fool, around, baby.
Amar’e
I thought the NBA was in financial trouble.
Carmelo
They are, but that’s all going to change because of the lockout.
Amar’e
Lockout, when did that happen?
Carmelo
Umm, it’s happing now, that’s why we’re here and not in camp.
[enter a dejected looking Mike D’Antoni]
Mike
Well, just talked to James Dolan. It’s just not working. Why did it all turn out like this for me? I had so much promise. I was personable, I was bright. Oh, maybe not academically speaking, but … I was perceptive. I always know when people aren’t getting enough shots. But, it became very clear to me sitting there today, that every decision I’ve ever made, in my entire life, has been wrong. My life is the opposite of everything I want it to be. Every instinct I have, be it something to wear, how to run a basketball team … It’s all been wrong.
Carmelo
So what’s the plan then? Lemme guess: A run-and-gun offense that takes the first available shot while expending as little effort as possible on the defensive end?
Mike
Yeah. That’s all I got.
Amar’e
Well, here’s your chance to do the opposite. Instead of a high-octane offense with no-defensive effort… you have a more calculating offense with high-defensive effort. If every basketball instinct you’ve had is wrong… then the opposite, must be right.
Mike
That’s it. YES, I will do the opposite. I used to sit here and do nothing defensively, and regret it once we got bounced from the playoffs earlier than we should have. So now I will do the opposite!
[enter Isiah Thomas]
Amar’e [snidely]
Hello, Isiah
Isiah
Hello, Amar’e
—
Looks good, Amar’e. I can’t wait for the upcoming season about nothing.
(h/t LosThatSportsBlog)