The rebirth of the New York Knickerbockers has forced the franchise to activate Stephon Marbury. As you can see from the glorious photo at right, Starbury wasn't exactly pleased about having to dress last night. (He already had a suit picked out and everything!) Before the game, when it became official that the Knicks (who on Friday traded away Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins) would be shorthanded, Mike D'Antoni reached out to Starbury and told him he could play 30-35 minutes against the Bucks.
According to Howard Beck of the New York Times, Starbury declined, saying that he didn't feel comfortable with the situation. Beck goes on to describe D'Antoni to be perturbed by the episode.
Clearly, the Knicks could have used Marbury in Milwaukee; Nate Robinson and Chris Duhon each played more than 40 minutes, and even Anthony Roberson got 17 minutes of burn. D'Antoni is known for tight rotations, but seven players is a little extreme.
Still, I find it hard to fault Marbury here. Under normal circumstances, a player under contract should subject to the playing time whims of the coach. But these aren't normal circumstances. D'Antoni told Marbury he didn't want to play him only a few minutes a game, so he wouldn't play him at all. Marbury asked to be deactivated to solidify that decision. And now the Knicks need him? I really don't blame Marbury for passing on the PT.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-22-2008 @ 2:45PM
rick fitzgerald said...
Poor Starbury he walks around like the Knicks owe him more than the 21 million he is stealing from them this year.What has he done in the league couldnt play with K.G. went to the Nets and was a bust there went to phoniex never got out of the 1st round but when thye replaced him with Nash they became a power came home to save the Knicks and has been a dog .Put him on a jackhammer for 8 hours at 20.00 per hour and let him tell his foreman he will sit and watch see how fast he sends his ass home with no pay GROW UP YOU SPOILED BABY
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11-22-2008 @ 2:50PM
richie boiardo said...
Real scumbag who really only cares about himself.His teamates must love him for this and I am sure he does not care.Maybe playing a little bit might interest some other team for his services but now it's obvious to all this guy is complete gargabe......
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11-24-2008 @ 10:36PM
davie said...
I don't think he is a scumbag. If you choose to sit me when I feel I could have help the team, then you know the league policy of having enough players dress out , then you come not really meaning it , won't let me practice with the team completely shut me out but to keep from being fine by the league you want me to bail you out. pay me don't play me if you don't want me trade me period.thumbs up marlbury.
11-22-2008 @ 4:42PM
Robert said...
This guy is a selfish mutt!!! Since the coach is the boss...fire his ass since he refuses to work. This fool is a legend in his own mind......
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11-22-2008 @ 4:47PM
Pat Knochke said...
Mebury is under contract, is being paid so he should play when his coach needs him to go in. Mebury thinks he's so special that he'll only play when he wants?? What if any of the rest of us did that in our jobs? He should be ashamed of taking the money for nothing. There are so many people right now who can't feed their families or even keep a home for them and this cry baby thinks he's to good to play when his team needs him. Go away cry baby. You've never been as good as "you" thought you were.
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11-22-2008 @ 4:56PM
Thom said...
Tom, your post's conclusion is way off. It's understandable that Marbury would feel that way, but if you've ever played, ever coached, you play when you can and show your best. Plus, Marbury's under contract, being paid and is supposedly a teammate. If he wants out of D'Antoni's doghouse, what better way to show he's a team player and is worth PT? It isn't by sitting on the bench, pouting, and if I were the coach, he'd never see the floor again. This is the worst thing a player can do and it's the antithesis of a winner. Get used to pine time, Stephon. Who'd be stupid enough to pick up this baggage?
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11-22-2008 @ 5:21PM
Stephen said...
ANTHER STUPID POST FROM THE AUTHOR! WHEN YOU ARE PAID 14 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR... AND YOU ARE TOLD TO PLAY... YOU PLAY END OF STORY!!!!!!!! ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD POST ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR FOR MARBURY'S BULLSHIT!
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11-24-2008 @ 1:34PM
rick said...
well said !!! he's making tons of money and you play for your teammates if for no one else!!! this has been his rap his whole career. he's a cancer to any team
11-22-2008 @ 5:33PM
Mickey said...
I can see that this article is as shortsighted as Starbury. It's not about what he feels he deserves . It's about team and effort , its about his career and future. Which by now we can see there is neither. Instead of sucking it up and showing he is above the situation he insteads shows what a selfish fool he is. Next year what team in their right mind won't remember how he reacted to a bad situation . What he basically did last night was to let everyone know that after he is finised taking his 21 million dollars he is done , his career is over.
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11-22-2008 @ 5:51PM
david said...
I totally side with Marbury, I mean D'Antoni has said from the get go, he would rather site Marbury than play him..... So Marbury wanted the KNicks to deactivate him to prove if they really ment it, and they havent. Now they are short handed, and D'Antoni comes crawling to Marbury and wants him to play.. And Marbury said no..... Basically throwing it back in D'Antoni's face.
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11-22-2008 @ 5:55PM
Jonsey said...
I never was too fond of Stephon but in this case I blame the coach. He has insulted Stephon ever since he arrived in New York. Steph would have to be without feelings to take the ridicule that has been handed out. The Knicks won't play him, won't release him and won't buy him out. Isn't that the ultimate insult?
Marbury may be all of the things mentioned in these posts but he is also an All Star who makes $21 million this year. If the Knicks don't want to play him they should release him and be done with it. No need to humiliate the man. Donnie Walsh is on record as saying they don't want to release him to another team in their division. Isn't that a backhanded compliment?
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11-22-2008 @ 6:07PM
Mike J said...
I would normally look down on a player do n what Marbury did but n this case I agree with him. D'antoni came n he dissd Star 4 no reason I don't care what he heard it's a clean slate here n the Apple. Marbury came n ready 2 play n he is the best player on the team but D'antoni wanted 2 play hard ass. Well it's 2 late now as far as Star goes it's time 2 get 2 step n. He should go 2 Miami so he can crack dat ass when they play the Knicks.
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11-22-2008 @ 6:22PM
fantasybasketball said...
w0w! once i heard the trade, i added marbury and dropped brandon bass on my fantasy list (yahoo fantasy). I assumed he would definitely play... and it is not paying off... wasted my time for about 30 seconds.. lol
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11-22-2008 @ 6:54PM
bob said...
Tell me why a coach, general manager or owner can not fine a player for every game that he is told to suit up and doesn't?
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11-22-2008 @ 6:57PM
bob said...
What I meant was if he is told to play and doesn't want to play?
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11-23-2008 @ 4:08PM
Otihc said...
Because D'Antoni is lying. Didn't anybody think that if it can be proven (union or no union) that Starbury really did refuse to play, that is a sure way to fine or penalize him. And since the Knicks are paying him 21mil irregardless, don't you think they wanted to get back as much of that from Starbury? And solidify their their position too. D'Antoni thinks that there are not that many intelligent people that can read between the lines.
11-22-2008 @ 8:26PM
Jack said...
hey tom!
last I saw marbury get paid about 21 million or so this year..glad you feel sorry for this guy. truly a nobel gesture on your part....
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11-22-2008 @ 8:37PM
GUS said...
Tell him to play again tonight.
If he continues to refuse to play, cancel his contract.
If the union is so strong that a player's contract can't be voided
for being insubordinate, the NBA deserves all the cry babies and thugs they get.
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11-22-2008 @ 8:44PM
Kevin said...
Once again, Stephon makes a wise, selfless decision that will certainly go a long way towards enhancing his public image, trade value and prospects for playing serious minutes in the NBA for some fortunate team. Certainly D'Antoni has learned a valuable lesson: it is foolish and naive to assume that a player under a multi-million dollar contract will play if told. Stupid coach-the player only plays if his feelings are not hurt and he's in the mood. Way to go Stephon-you are an inspiration to millions of young athletes across this great land, busting their backside to get playing time. Take a cue from the consumate team player kids: Don't let those stupid coaches tell you what to do!
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11-22-2008 @ 8:45PM
Kevin said...
Hey Mike and New York Knick front office; If you'll pay Marbury and he won't play, and this seems to be O.K. with the players union...I have a great deal for you: Pay me the league minimum and I promise I will give you more than Starbury. You can sit me. Play me 3 seconds, ask me to play 5 minutes. I'll bang, pass, shoot, run and smile every day. I'm your huckleberry.
If the real world worked like the NBA seems to work, this country would have collapsed a loooooong time ago.
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