Stoudemire stands by comments on free agency

Two years away from free agency, Suns forward AmaréStoudemire stood by his comments in a recent ESPN.com article in which he said he has no preference where he plays when it comes time to test the market.

"I don't ever say anything that I regret," Stoudemire said. "I'm not that kind of guy."

Stoudemire said in the article that he wants to be the focal point of the Suns and he wasn't sure if new coach Terry Porter's system is a means to that end. He also said he thinks about 2010, when he can join LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade - three players he identified as "featured guys" - in a star-studded free agency class.

"Absolutely! You have to look at those opportunities, because this is a business and you want to explore every option," Stoudemire said. "I guarantee you every owner will explore their options, especially when a player's contract is up. So it's the same for players. It's definitely the same for me.

"As a player, you should look at the teams you might want to play for. The city you may want to live in. The system you may want to play in. The economy. The cost of living. Everything. It's about what's best for you."

When told that fans have taken his words to mean he is eyeing a move out of Phoenix, Stoudemire said: "I have no idea. I have no clue. It will play out how it plays out. Nostradamus is long gone, and there is no one else who can predict the future right now. You never know how it ends up."

Does that mean he has no preference when it comes to staying or leaving?

"No, I really don't," he said. "I just want to win. I just want to win. I'm just trying to improve as a player. As a team, we're trying to get better. That's the main focus right now, to improve."

Stoudemire had a strong effort in Sunday's loss to New Jersey, finishing with 25 points and 12 rebound and showing more offensive aggression - which was rewarded with 12 trips to the free-throw line, 10 of them in the first quarter. But he wasn't around for the home stretch after being ejected with a second technical foul with 3:24 left to play after arguing a traveling call.

"My frame of mind was to attack and do whatever it takes for us to win," he said. "We just fell a little short."

The Suns are now 4-5 at home - their worst start at US Airways Center since starting the 2003-04 season 6-7.

"We still have work to do," Stoudemire said. "We're still trying to improve and figure it out as a team. I love my teammates, and they've been totally upbeat even though it's been kind of difficult. But we are still together and working to get better."