Greenburgh, N.Y. – The circus moved a few miles north, but the tricks remained the same.
Stephon Marbury was rehabbing his surgically repaired left ankle at the MSG Training Center today, according to coach Isiah Thomas. But that was all the information offered about the whereabouts of the team’s wayward point guard and the Knicks’ plans for him.
Marbury was not seen at the complex and had already left by the time vice president of public relations Jonathan Supranowitz agreed to ask Marbury if he would speak with reporters. Supranowitz said he didn’t know if Marbury was in violation of team rules by not showing up at last night’s game against New Orleans after Thomas had stated he was expected to attend.
Supranowitz wouldn’t say if Marbury was subject to a fine for failing to attend home games while injured. Reports have suggested that Marbury has been banned from attending games at the Garden, but Thomas has contradicted that notion twice in the past two days by saying Marbury was “expected” to be there.
Why so many questions and answers for Supranowitz? Because his media briefing lasted longer than Thomas’. The Knicks’ beleaguered coach and president walked away from reporters after the fifth consecutive Marbury question exactly 2 minutes, 9 seconds into his media availability. It was Thomas’ fifth walkoff in as many days, over nine media availabilities.
Here’s how it ended today:
Q: What’s the situation with Stephon today after the no-show last night?
Thomas: He’s inside rehabbing.
Q: Isiah, are you disappointed that Steph didn’t show up last night?
Thomas: You know, we have our hands full with Chris Paul and LeBron James, and when you have the opportunity to speak with Steph, you can ask him all the questions that you need to ask him.
Q: Is this his decision not to show up?
Thomas: You can ask him when you talk to him. We expect him at the game tomorrow and we go from there.
Q: A confidant of his said that he wasn’t invited to the game last night. Any reaction to that from your end?
Thomas: I have no reaction
Q: How often do you guys communicate?
Thomas: Um, any questions about Lebron? LeBron James? Going once? Going twice? Ok, thanks.
It used to be that Supranowitz would end Thomas’ media sessions, which typically last 10-12 minutes, with a cheery, “Thanks, Isiah!” I was half expecting Thomas to blurt out a hearty, “Thanks, Jonathan!” as he squeezed past me and into the sanctuary of the trainer’s room.
That’s all, folks!
Comments (1)
Ken, maybe you should work on your commas. Maybe you need to come to work dressed better. Maybe you showed up late one too many times.
But whatever you did to piss off your bosses enough to have to cover this garbage of a franchise, pray to your local God for them to forgive you so maybe you can cover the Dragons or Lizards!