End of an error nears
This doesn't make the Knicks better on paper, but, then again, Stephon Marbury didn't often enough make the Knicks better on the court, either. So the inevitable will be official by the end of the week. We have a story about it in the Tuesday edition of Newsday.
It's not official yet, but all indications are that Marbury will be given word sometime this week that he need not make plans to be in Saratoga Springs next Tuesday. Not that Marbury doesn't already have a sense that he isn't wanted. He'd been hearing enough of it throughout the offseason and it seemed pretty obvious when Chris Duhon was signed that the Knicks planned to move on without him.
All indications are, Fixers, that they will by this weekend.
I was also told by a few guys earlier on Monday that Stephon played in the pickup games with the other Knick veterans at the MSG Training Center. Marbury had been working out on his own, so it was a bit of a surprise to see him jump into the run.
Know this: Marbury is in good physical shape. Wherever he winds up -- my bet is Miami -- he'll likely play well. This is what I believe has led to Donnie Walsh waiting so long before he pulled the trigger: it's not easy to hand almost $20 million (buyout) to someone and have him go play for the veteran's minimum elsewhere at potentially an all-star level.
But everyone in the NBA by now knows you get two sides of Starbury. You get the driven, unstoppable offensive force who can still get to the hole and knock down a three. But you also get the petulant, self-involved and intolerable personality that can destroy the sanctity of a locker room and undermine a coach. (In other words, good luck Erik Spoelstra).
Here's a guarantee where Marbury won't be headed: Charlotte.
One guy at the training center on Monday said the uneasiness of the other Knicks veterans when Marbury was around was palpable. There was just a sense of disdain. "You could just feel the hate," he told me.
This is addition-by-subtraction for the Knicks, a means of cleansing the franchise; removing the face of a forgettable era in the franchise's history. There is still plenty left to malign in the new era under Walsh and Mike D'Antoni -- Eddy Curry's conditioning, Zach Randolph's immovable contract and the inability of anyone to play perimeter defense -- but Marbury had so often represented the reasons why it was easy to hate the Knicks, from his ubiquitous frown under a towel at the end of the bench to his care-free grin after leaving the courthouse where he testified about his tryst with a team intern, which crippled the Garden's case in the sexual harrassment trial eventually won by Anucha Browne Sanders.
I struggled to cover Marbury because at times he was very likable and many times you could see the wide-eyed precocious kid he once was show himself. I had great respect for his dedication to pregame preparation; his focus as he went through his methodical routine. Shot after shot after shot. Like a machine. I don't think he was as dedicated to the game film and scouting reports, but he certainly was dedicated to himself.
When he lost his father last December, we shared some words. But he and I both knew it would be back to the grind in no time. I always quote Bob Sugar from the movie Jerry Maguire, who tells a client, "It's not show-friends, it's show-business."
It should have been a great story; the Brooklyn-born basketball star who came home to lead the Knicks and was given the Garden as his personal playground. But it instead became a cautionary tale: give a person too much rope and they just might hang themselves.
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Comments (40)
Thank you Jesus ......I mean Alan.
Bout time this guy was shown the door.
Nobody here wants to play with him.
I think alot of our players will benefit from this,
especially Zach. I know someone will say "DOJ, Marbury
only played 24 games last year, why didn't Zach do well
then?" That was with Isiah coaching....I think with Dantoni
coaching, Zach can be a force. Then again, I picked the
Knicks to win 54 games last year so take what I say with
a grain of salt.
Training camp next week?
Singing:
I'm so excited
And I just can't hide it
No No No
Ya'll know the rest.
thank god.............i never thought this day would come. GO NEW YORK KNICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Told you all long ago...no way Marbury sees training camp under the new regime! There wan't any ruch to waive him. Will still cost the same. I persoonally like Marbury. But, yes...the time has come to move on!
People should check out an essay the late Ralph Wiley wrote in his book with Spike Lee about the Marbury family in 1996 or Ian O'Conner's Telfair book for a better understanding who Marbury is. The entire focus of Don Marbury was for one of his sons to "make it" and bring the family prosperity . The brothers kept getting college scholarships but not making the NBA (or graduating) and the family stayed in Coney Island. Finally the last brother becomes a big star with a 100 million dollar contract and he still can't find happiness, blowing his boyhood dream by being moody, selfish and unlucky to be working for Dolan and Isiah. And then, in some plot twist worthy of the cinema, Steph's father dies after watching his son playing at MSG for a team that his son couldn't lead.
That being said, Marbury (with Isiah's considerable help) personally sunk the season last year and he had to go. This team is finally on the correct path.
Sergio, What do you have to say about Walsh now?
I can't believe that they will pay this clown a truck load of money to go play with somebody else. When you get a cancer like him on a team, here's how you deal with him: You play him 30 seconds a game. That deflates his ego in a hurry as his career scoring average plummets. You make him as uncomfortable as possible (shouldn't be too hard). As soon as he does something stupid, you fine him and suspend him (shouldn't be too long before that happens). Soon he will want to quit and obviously you let him go and then don't have to pay him the money. And while all this is happening you let the team know exactly what the objective is (shouldn't be any objections from the players). The message is simple: you play for the Knicks, you earn your money. You don't get any buyouts. This isn't Dire Straits...you don't get money for nothing. Buying this guy out is such a soft, weak option. It gives players the wrong message and that is if you screw up enough we'll pay you not to play and then you get to choose which team you want to play for. Gee that's really making life tough on Marbury. Yeah, right. As someone who has to work hard for not much money, that really pisses me off, even though I live in Australia. Wake up Knicks and don't just throw money at this immature fool.
Well thats the way to do things the right way. The Knicks have to do it right with respect. We have to show other players that we are a respectfull organisation. Not the Joke Isiah made us look like. The way he did all the previous coaches. Don Chaney. Wilkins. Larry Brown. The Knicks have to buy Marbury out before trainning camp starts. Dont let him come to trainning camp. Its going to cost us 20 mil weather he plays for us or not. I dont see it like you Maritime even though I feel the same way. It was not Marbury's fault Thats the way he is. Isiah let him do what he want it and at the end he also got the real Marbury. A very talented basketball player with poor human skills. Meaning the guy is a Cancer where ever he goes never won anything and never will. Isiah has destroyed the Knicks in every way possible, Players make too much money, traded our draft picks and even though he is not in charge it is still herting us, sing garabage free agents, In the draft he could have done a lot better. Donnie do the right thing he has to go. The sad thing is that Malik Rose has to go also. Jerome James has to go. Has not done anything for us and will not do anything for us in the future. Hope you have a plan cus if you dont I do.....
This move was painfully honest a little more than a year ago as pointed out on the Knicks Defense blog way back when -- when Marbury became persona non get the hell out. Now those with short-term memories will credit Walsh for something that was clearly a Dolan-Thomas v. Marbury inevitability. Walsh came on board knowing the mandates from Stern was to replace Thomas and from Dolan was to get Marbury out of his building before training camp.
As you may recall before Marbury decided to have surgery last season, Dolan-Thomas tried to keep him off the facility and immediately erased his image from the building poster of players outside the Garden, but bannishment was not going to fly with the NBAPA or the commissioner. They had to let Marbs in the building which pissed almost everyone off. Oh, how the Garden turns.
Your boy Marbs is probably on his way to having a great season. He is focused, if not smart. His personal agenda and mission has always been the same. Mebury. But he never buries his familial responsibilities because that is the most important thing to him.
He should be headed to the Boston Celtics -- that would be the worst slap in the face possible to Dolan-Thomas and the Knicks fans who booed him, but does Doc Rivers love his Chi-Town colleague enough to save him the embarrassment of Marbury getting a ring while trampling the Knicks?
Stern got Dolan to sub Thomas and Mills with his boys but what has Stern given in return? Did Dolan screw that negotiation up too or is Stern, with the hidden hand, making sure that Marbury does not end up playing for someone that will lead to a continued total embarrassment of Dolan and the Knicks.
I don't know the answer to that one, because I haven't seen that page of the script, but you can bet that Stephon is also considering playing for a team out West. Remember Steph just bought a plane folks and gas is expensive.
What market or organization would pay Stephon the players minimum (which allows him to go to any team over the cap) and take care of his air fare so he can jet back and forth to New York to be with his family? Oh, and remember that he and Kobe like each other.
Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago (HaHaHa -- Hey Ben, you better recognize and sign a contract)
Now things are getting exciting.
I have no idea how "painfully obvious" became "painfully honest." Not enough to drink this morning, I think.
Alan, I worked with Cameron Crowe who directed and wrote "Jerry McGuire'.. He wrote that line to show that Bob Sugar has no soul. If your using it to say something profound, then I might think twice. Just because others are slimy doesn't make it fun for you to be too.
Marbury is a hater. He creates anger and fighting wherever he goes. The line in the movie"It's not Show friends, it's show business" was written for a guy like Marbury who is willing to hurt everyone to forward his own career. NOT for Donnie Walsh cutting him to make peace on the team EVEN if it means losing. You call that "Character".
So if you worship Sugar then you worship bad vibes. It's funny how you guys lose your compass once you have children. I can't be honest, I have a family to feed. It's just business.
Marbury's hitting the bricks? Lets Celebrate!
I CAN'T TAKE THESE IDIOTIC COMMENTS!!!!I WOW! ... and they say Knick fans are intelligent!!!
I will believe it when I see it but Donnie Walsh wins a lot of points with me if he does this.
I hope Crackbury signs with Miami or Boston. He will destroy both those teams too. It's what he does best.
God, I can't believe this nightmare is almost over. I've never disliked a player as much as Crackbury. He was the absolute worst. What a terrible leader and underachiever.
If you're worried we're giving up a talented player for nothing, forget it. He's 31-32, our third oldest player. If we ever get good again, he'll be too old to contribute anyway.
Let's all sing "Aug Lang Syne."
Bye Stephanie don't let the door hit you on your way out.
Hallelujah baby!!!
you guys are crazy!!! as much as i dislike steph- he is still one of the leagues top 10 point guards. whos gonna replace him chris duhon(lmao)- heres whats going to happen- where going to buy him out and then hes gonna sign a mid level with the boston celtics so him and garnett can be re-united- you think u hated marbury before wait till next year when he makes the playoffs with his new team
Eddie, I've just got to ask--what level of schooling did you complete?
[Y]you guys are crazy!!! [A]as much as [I]i dislike [S]steph- he is still one of the league[']s top 10 point guards. [W]who[']s go[ing to]nna replace him[,] [C]chris duhon(lmao)[?] [H]- here[']s what[']s going to happen- w[e're]here going to buy him out and then he[']s go[ing to]nna sign a mid[-] level with the [B]boston [C]celtics so [he]him and [G]garnett can be re-united[.] [Y]you think [you]u hated [M]marbury before[,] wait [until]till next year when he makes the playoffs with his new team.
Wow! Son, I know grammar's not everything, but show a little self-respect.
Excellent point, Rey T.
Although it won't be fun to watch Marbury get his "retribution" against the Knicks, this was the right way (and the business-appropriate way) to cut ties with Marbury.
I hated Isiah, but thought Walsh made a big statement about how he plans to run this organization by letting him quietly slip out the back door, rather than tossing him into the media firepit. This is the same approach with Marbury.
I'm still a little angry that Stephon is going to be earning $20 million to play for another team, and while I appreciate Larry Legend's theory of, "No Buyouts...you can sit at home", I like to think of it this way:
This is a nod to the rest of the players on the team, that they really to intend to move forward. Keeping him around on the bench and deliberately humiliating him would only exaccerbate the horrific atmosphere that was prevalent last season (Note to Maritime). If any of that business about the players' display of hate at training camp that Alan mentioned was true, that this had to be an obvious decision for Walsh, financially viable or not.
Think of it as a $20 million Team Chemistry Insurance Policy.
Only, we still have Randolph.
Eddie, have you been in a coma the last decade? Crackbury is not a top 10 PG and he does not help teams win.
i think he is heading to italy.. LOL
Pay the $ to this loser and move on for the sake of the players, team, fans and NYK org.
Of course you don't want to give away $20 mil, but their are exceptions and Mebury is one of them. How much $ has he already cost us with burning out coaches, players and fans?
Mebury just doesn't fit anymore with the new NYK culture, so you just get rid off him ( watch out big Jerome...your next!), cut your IT losses and then the players will know that there is no place for overpaid bums on the NYK....those days are over hopefully forever!
Be careful for what you ask for! Marbury is not the cause of the Knicks lack of success. Look at the moves that were made.
Jerome James and Jared Jeffries (FA). Malik Rose, Jalen Rose, Steve Francis, Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, Q Rich (Trades).
Danilo Gallinari, Channing Frye, Mardy Collins (draft). These were moves that provided a weak cast of characters for any PG to play with.
Perfect headline! Definitely the end of an error! Let's see this team restore it's dignity.
@ Lives - I agree that the writing was on the wall for Marbury a year ago - it may just be the difference of having to buy out one year remaining now, rather than two back then.
@ calico - Marbury is but one really visible sign of years of mismanagement, but the mess can't be cleared up all at once.
Despite the fact that he has been an interesting story over his career, I'm happy to see Marbury go. He's aging, hugely overpaid and clearly not part of the future. As an expiring contract, he only has trade value to a a team looking to unload an equal sum of non-expiring deals, and I can't think of 20 million worth of available veterans the Knicks should add. So if he isn't part of the rebuilding and has no use for sensible trading purposes, why not cut ties. At least then he won't be a distraction during what is sure to be a trying season.
September:
Yes it was a weak cast for Marbury, but his lack of leadership certainly didn't help the cause.
IT was the root of all this mess, with Mebury running a close 2nd!
I always try to be even and reasonable when it comes to Knicks making a move
but paying Marbury 20 mill to play for someone else, sticks like a knife.
Keep Stinkbury on the team. Put him on IR and make him sit on the bench in a suit for every single game. Fine him if he wont.
Do not let him off the hook and make him stew and watch the team as they begin their climb to success.
Next take Jerome "worst Knick ever" James and send him to Iraq.
These 2 make me crazy.
I don't see why Marbury is this hated.You guys act like he killed somebody. You have a player in Curry who is out of shape and will never live up to his potential. You have Crawford who never saw a shot he didn't like. You have Jerome James. Need I say anything about him. You have David Lee who couldn't hit a shot if his life depended on it and is also very overrated. You have Richardson who's back is jacked up for life. You have Galinari who seems to be as soft as a baby's bottom. The Knicks could have gotten a better player in the draft.If you actually know basketball you should get what I am saying.
David Lee cleans up around the hoop and does everything u need a forward to do to win except play good man defense (he's getting better at it). We don't need rebounding, put-backs and lay-ups? Every team does. An inside game is essential. Lee is priceless. If the Knix build a team of all outside shooters they will stay bad.
Lee can't shoot?
D. Lee field goal % last year: .552. Career: .575
S. Marbury field goal % last year: .419. Career .434
DTR
Ya'll crazy let's test drive this Car before we give it to charity. If this dude ( Marbury) is in the so called best shape of his knick career let's see what he can offer in his last year.Now I'm not saying let's renew his contract but let him work for the 20...mill that is. And if it don't work out bench him that hurts more than giving away 20 mil. I mean we can't fill his spot anyway with this thing called a cap and let's be truthful who on the team can play that position better right NOW!! Give coach D a minute to see if he can flourish running with this kid. One season is not going to kill us it's not like any real knick fan who is tired of this bull really see us as a championship team right now this year.
Check this out If dude (Marbury) can play like it's his best ever this year then lets use him as trade bait the same way MN Used NJ then NJ used PX via Px used US. Can we use somebody for a change?
And as far as Zach is concerned better hope he worked out as hard as Marbury. he needs to speed it up when scoring he seems slower then Curry at times. You can't do 45mph in a 70mph Mike D zone.
@Big Flo I can almost accept your point, but not quite. I too am irked by the situation, but we need a fresh start. No, we won't be a championship team, but we can have championship attitude. That's why I'm also hoping that Jerome is gone soon.
I hope Donnie is talking with somebody from the Kings right now. They need a PF now, it's a great oportunity... What could we get for Z-BO? I'd love to have Beno in a Knick uniform
The Coney Island Cupcake is gone?
Nah.
Don't tease me.
That's like hearing Dick Cheney shot himself to death on south lawn of the White House. Or Hank Paulson stunk his head in a meat grinder and hit the start button. Or competence finally came to the Knicks beat at Newsday.
Who said New Yorkers are smart sport fans? Please.
All this hate for a guy who has to pay for that plane he just bought is stupid. THIS is the year we should keep him, the year when he HAS to play well! Why pay him $20 million to make a contender a champion?????? What the f**k is wrong with you guys?
Oh, so now we'll ask Duhon to set up Zach in the post for a game-winning shot. It'll be blocked by any 6'10" forward in the East (so many out there that can guard him, it's ridiculous). Crawford is our best option, you say? Yeah, but the opponent's SG will score 40 on him. Curry? He'll be fouled out of the game.
Roberson? Are you f**king kidding me???
Gallinari??? Get the f**k outta here. Not even his people believe that hype.
We're done. Miami, Los Angeles, any real team that have real MEN in the locker room, will take on Mebury.
There will be joy in the locker room, but we will lose every game at halftime.
Don't worry; LeBron will be here IN 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Idiots.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. My man Harlem. Can't say you're wrong at all. LMAO.
It about time... His buyout brings fans back to the garden. I lost respect for Steph a.k.a Defunt Starbury the moment he put him self and his ego in front of Knicks franchise. He has a I don't care I'm still getin' paid mentality. He could bring that to where ever he goes. He ain't doing it here no more. We need leaders and not over paid and over hyped wanna be super stars. Lets not forget he cried like baby when Knicks got him form Phx. Ok - Next step buyout Hamburgerler James and bench Cushy Curry.
Lets go Knicks!!! On the road to respectability.
yo alan!!!!!!!!!!
according to espn walsh just said that marbury IS reporting to camp and he's discussed no buyout. i'm pretty sad cuz i hate marbury. come on alan fill us in whats really going on? is marbury in or out?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Thanx for teasing us Alan.
Donnie Walsh has no self respect.
@HarleminMD Please use other places where garbage like yours belongs. Name calling, fascination with the F bomb, and ignorance are not welcome here.
Knicks president says Marbury will be at camp; veteran Houston might, too
By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine
(Archive)
Updated: September 23, 2008, 10:04 PM ET
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Pouring water on widespread speculation that the Knicks will waive Stephon Marbury, president Donnie Walsh said the controversial point guard will be with the team when it begins official workouts next week.
"He's coming to training camp," Walsh said of Marbury in a telephone interview Tuesday evening.
A newspaper report out of New York Tuesday morning said the Knicks are planning to waive Marbury by the end of the week. The move, which has been speculated about for months in the media, would eventually lead to a buyout of the $21.9 million Marbury is owed in the final year of his contract.
"This thing is initiated in the press and then I have to ask questions about it," Walsh said, sounding somewhat perturbed. "I haven't approached [Marbury] about a buyout."
When asked whether he's reached out to the point guard to alleviate concerns about his status with the team, Walsh said, "I talked to Stephon once and he seems OK about all of this."
Marbury is coming off the worst season of his 12-year career. He had a famous falling-out with his coach, president and one-time mentor Isiah Thomas, played in only 24 games because of injury, underwent surgery on his left ankle, and averaged career-lows in points (13.9), assists (4.7), rebounds (2.5) and minutes (33.6).
But at 31 years old, Marbury is still fairly young, and reports are that he spent the summer getting in the best shape he's been in in years.
Walsh also said former Knicks guard Allan Houston will probably join the team at training camp. He said Houston, 37, has been working out with the Knicks at their practice facility and that his shooting touch is as smooth as ever.
Walsh is going to meet with Houston on Wednesday to further discuss the situation. He would not guarantee Houston a spot on the roster, though.
"I don't know the answer to that," Walsh said, when asked whether Houston would definitely play for the Knicks this season. "But as far as putting the ball in the basket, he absolutely can still shoot. He has to be in more intense situations."
Houston is expected to sign a contract paying him the league minimum salary of $1.26 million for a player of 10 or more years experience, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. If he doesn't make the team, he will probably be retained in some front-office capacity.
If he does make the team, Houston, who wore No. 20 throughout his career, will wear No. 14 in honor of his dad Wade, who wore the number as the first African-American player at the University of Louisville.
Houston, who averaged 17.3 points over his 12-year career, was forced to retire in 2005 because of an arthritic left knee. He returned briefly last season before bowing out during the Knicks training camp.
Walsh said it will be different this time around.
"In that case, he hadn't worked out that much," Walsh said. "He just came in and started playing. Now, he feels like he's in better position to go out and play. I accept that."
The question is will New York still accept Marbury.
Chris Broussard is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.