I'm going to say a name. When I do, say the first word that comes to mind...Stephon Marbury.
I don't care what word you used to describe the former All-Star. It may have been confusing, confused, chaotic, disorderly, turbulent, tumultuous, agitating. Or even... asshole. You never know what really goes on behind closed doors. But he does seem like he could be a little selfish or hard to get along with. Yet, when it comes down to it, Wilt scored 100 points in a game. Selfish, much? Michael was known for getting in arguments with teammates. Difficult, much? One thing is clear: The guy has outstanding (although slightly declining) numbers. And the numbers never lie.
The national media has reported over the last couple of days that Marbury is expected to be released. Then they said he will report to camp. Now they say he's out again. Whatever the case, this guy has arguable Hall of Fame stats and I'm here to deliver them.
For his career, "Starbury" Marbury is a better shooter than Jason Kidd... Okay, maybe that's not saying much. But he averages 7.8 assists per game, better than Gary Payton's 6.7 average and just under Mark Jackson's average of 8.0 apg. Stephon turns the ball over less than both Kidd - highly regarded as the best point guard of his time - and Marbury's buddy, Isiah Thomas. He also averages more points per game - 19.7 - than both Thomas and John Stockton, who is among the best to ever play the point.
Coming from Philadelphia, I love Larry Brown and have lots of respect for Isiah Thomas as a basketball mind (although he seems a little slick and his recent troubles have only strengthened my feelings on the matter). Marbury didn't like either one of them. He's butted heads with each of his last two coaches because they demand respect and want things done a certain way. Problem is, Stephon also demands respect and wants thing done his way.
New coach Mike D'Antoni seems to be a lot like Coach Brown and Isiah Thomas in that respect, but maybe with a little more flamboyance. D'Antoni is a brilliant basketball coach. No team in the league has been more exciting to watch over the last few years than his Phoenix Suns. But D'Antoni seems just as slick as Thomas, and the chances he and Starbury make it through the year without a disagreement on something - anything - are not good. Stephon did attempt to make a good first impression on his new headmaster by attending the news conference that officially announced the hire. Still, Marbury was likely out of the plans before D'Antoni signed any contract. What I'm saying is, the presumed release of the 31-year old point guard comes as no shock.
There have been rumors that, assuming he actually gets the ax, Marbury will sign with Miami. If that's the case, the 2008-'09 Miami Heat starting lineup could look like this:
C - Mark Blount
PF - Michael Beasley
SF - Shawn Marion
SG - Dwayne Wade
PG - Stephon Marbury
Bench: Udonis Haslem, Jamaal Magloire, Dorell Wright, Mario Chalmers
That's not too bad for a team that finished 15-67 last year. Still, these are just rumors and as of this second, Stephon Marbury remains a New York Knick. And although we have no idea how it will pan out in October, the Knicks - assuming Marbury and his coach could stand one another - could really use his services. Plus, having grown up in New York, I'm sure the guy would love to stay at home. That is of course, if the basement-dwelling Knicks are aware of how good a player they have.
1 comment:
I respect your opinion (like always) but I understand why the knicks want to get rid of Marbury. If you've noticed throughout his career, whatever team he has departed from they have gotten better and fast.
The T-wolves, Nets and Suns, his first 3 teams, got rid of him no later then his 3rd full season with the team. What does that tell you? Well it tells me no one can take his personality and that he is a cancer to a locker room.
So the T-Wolves trade him after 18 games into his third season(98-99 season). Now they didn't make it past the 1st round until 2004 when they went to the Western Conference Finals but hey they couldn't win with KG so that franchise is a joke. Thank god for KG's sake they traded him and what do you know, Championship!
Next team, Nets. Starbury played their for 3 season. Putting up great numbers, awesome numbers. Made an All-Star team. The Nets knew that as long as they kept him then wouldn't be able to take it to the next level. So what do they do? Trade him to the Suns for Jason Kidd. The next 2 seasons the Nets are in the finals and if it wasn't for Shaq/Kobe probably would have won a ring.
Now with the Suns Steph put up great numbers again, but yet again he didn't make it through a full third season with that team and was traded mid-season to the Knicks. The next off-season the Suns signed a player named Steve Nash.... Didn't he win an MVP or 2?
Hello Knicks you are the only franchise in the NBA to keep him over 3 seasons (5 as of now). How'd that work out for ya? Oh thats right you've been the laughing stock of the league for the last 3 years now. I hope that Marbury doesn't get traded to any team. I hope they bench him, pay him his money and then he goes to play overseas never to be heard from again. He has the personality to destroy a locker room. This ain't something like Manny bein Manny. Manny has rings and the fans love him, this is Marbury being a waste of talent.
ps....... Could you imagine if the 76ers took Marbury instead of Iverson in the 96 Draft???
Post a Comment