Amar'e Stoudemire is currently playing the best basketball of his NBA career, including his first ever streak of five straight 31+ point games. The last three of those games, all Knick wins, were played during Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Amar'e has averaged 33 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 1.6 spg during the first 6 nights of Hanukkah. He was named NBA Player of the Week on December 6.
Last off-season, Amar'e discovered that his mother is part Jewish. He visited Israel to learn more about his Hebrew heritage. Perhaps his newfound connection to the Star of David is inspiring Amar'e to play his best basketball during Hanukkah.
Fellow Jew Jordan Farmar of the Nets had career highs in points (28) and assists (9) on December 1, the first night of Hanukkah. He followed that with three straight 16 point games and is now riding the most prolific scoring streak in his NBA career. Farmar also earned his first career double double on the third night of Hanukkah with 16 points and 10 assists against the Bobcats.
Unfortunately, Omri Casspi from Israel hasn't achieved any career greatness for the Sacramento Kings during Hanukkah this year. Maybe Yahweh is waiting for him to leave the anti-Jewish fans of Sacramento before blessing him with any basketball highs during Hanukkah.
Amar'e faces the Toronto Raptors in New York tonight, the last night of the Festival of Lights. He already put 31 points and 16 rebounds on the Raptors in Canada on the fifth night of Hanukkah. Let's see if he's saved his festival best for New York, the most Jewish city in America.
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