Amaré Stoudemire participated in his first on-court workout on Tuesday since undergoing a minor operation six weeks ago. The procedure was to remove fluid from his right eye after he initially had surgery to repair a detached retina in February.

Stoudemire was limited to shooting and conditioning, according to Suns head trainer Aaron Nelson. “He’s extremely motivated to have a good year and preparing well for it,” general manager Steve Kerr told the Arizona Republic.

When Amaré comes back from an injury, he typically comes back with a vengeance. In 2004-2005,  after missing 29 games due to an left-ankle sprain in 2003-2004 Stoudemire earned Second Team All-NBA honors in only his third NBA season and was a first-time All-Star in 2005… Averaged 26.0 points (5th), 8.9 rebounds (17th), 1.63 blocks (20th), .559 field goal percentage (2nd) in 36.1 minutes (T38th)… Was only NBA player ranked in top 10 in points and field goal percentage… Had highest scoring average by a Suns player since Tom Chambers averaged a franchise-best 27.2 points in 1989-90… Scored 40+ points six times, including career-high 50 points. In addition, in 2006-2007 after missing all but 3 games in 2005-2006 from microfracture surgery on his right knee; Stoudemire bounced back admirably. Was one of only three NBA players (Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand) ranked in the top 20 in scoring (team-high 20.4, 19th), rebounding (career-high 9.6, 9th) and field goal percentage (career-best .575, 5th)… Was the lone Suns player to appear in every game and did so for the first time since his rookie season in 2002-03… Ranks secondamong NBA centers in scoring behind only Yao Ming… Was one of only two players (Ben Gordon) to rank in the top 20 in scoring and average fewer than 33 minutes per game (32.8).

In addition to this past bounce backs from injuries, Amaré is entering his contract year in which he is trying to obtain a maximum contract. All indications would thus lead to the fact that Amaré is going to be motivated and barring injury will explode this season. The odds of an excellent season for Stoudemire have been drastically reduced by Shaquille O’Neal’sdeparture to Cleveland. The fact of the matter is this, Shaq played well in Phoenix and likely rejuvenated his career. However, his impact on Steve Nash and Amaré Stoudemire was extremely detrimental. This season Nash and Stoudemire will have open lanes to penetrate and score at the basket. Stoudemire was more prone to take the 14-17 foot jumper last season due to Shaq’s presence. Furthermore, Stoudemire only played in one game under Alvin Gentry’s Run & Gun style. Stoudemire had 42 points and 11 rebounds in the only game under Gentry in which he was poked in the eye and his retina detached…ending his season.

Over the years, people have openly questioned Stoudemire’s desire to rebound and play defense. This year is Stoudemire’s chance to prove the naysayers wrong and earn that maximum contract that he believes he deserves. I am definitely skeptical that this will happen, but either way it is nice to see Amaré  back on the court.