It's been a pretty tumultuous season for New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury. Whether he brought it on himself or not is left up to debate. But the fact remains that Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni doesn't see Marbury fitting in with his system so the former All-Star has been riding the bench for the entire season. Although Marbury has talked to the media about his situation here and there, he let it all out in a blog post for the New York Post."Bottom line, I came to camp with the right attitude, in shape and ready to play. I didn't come to be a distraction," Marbury wrote. "I didn't want to be a distraction for the team first and me second. I honestly came to help the team win. Real talk. I was willing to put in the work necessary to earn my starting spot and humble enough to accept coming off of the bench. It was unfortunate that the coach wanted to go in a different direction and didn't want me to be part of the team. I just wish it had been handled correctly from jump."
He also addressed the claim that he refused to play, his 7-figure contract being fulfilled, and the things he's learning from the experience. He also used a couple paragraphs to announce the relaunch of his Starbury line in 2009. He has a new website launching and partnership with Amazon.com to get the ball rolling once again. For those unaware, his partnership with Steve & Barry's ended after that company filed for bankruptcy in 2008.
Comments: (15)
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By: Master Walker on 12/31/2008 6:29PM
I'm with Stef on this one. How can coach D'antoni say we are whiping the slate clean and the proceed to sit the teams best player. It was a slap in the face to Stef to bring in a guy like Dujon who couldnt even get of the bench in Chicago and just hand him the starting spot. Play and praise stef the whole preseason, then on opening night say we're going in a new direction and not play Marbury at all. D'antoni & Walsh have jacked this thing up from the beginning from the drafting of the surrogate nephew of d'antoni who probably will never play in the league to the trading of crawford and randolph. Now the Knicks are a bunch of role players and career back ups posing as a NBA team hoping to land Lebron 2 years from now and thats not even a sure shot. Marbury may have not been the answer to all but with him, crawford and randolph the Knicks would have been Playoff bound for sure. A place where D'antoni & Walsh wont be seeing for a while no matter how much they try to convince they selves by saying thats the goal. Its funny Marbury was the one who lead D'antoni to his first playoffs in PHX basically given his style of coachin a stamp of approval in the league and now Marbury isnt better than Chris Duhon C'mon give me a break!!!!!!!
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By: Lisa Hunter on 12/31/2008 8:40PM
Stephon Marbury is a player that I have the upmost respect for and he is a person that has clearly demonstrated that he is a man of character to his peers,fans, and the youth of past & present.
I think he continues to demonstrate to the youth today that many times you may get stuck with a bad cosch. do you best in practice and continue to keep your head of with pride.
The world loves you Stephon and continue to be the man God called you to be.
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By: muhammad on 12/31/2008 9:32PM
steph were with u on this one.
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By: muhammad on 12/31/2008 9:40PM
Mr. Marbury this situation is bigger than it looks. There are several issues at play. First dont think for one second that David Stern is not involved! Second know and understand that the League is not happy with the Bright Business Mind of Mr. Marbury. Third understand that Isaah Thomas situation has some place of revelance with this story. The Corporate Office of the NBA is right there in New York! It bigger that alot of us Realize! TO ME its about a Black Man with no agent representation (a mistake in judgement) going up against a behemouth call the National Basketball Association and daring to take money from Goliath. Stephon be wise and stay in shape and be ready to take your fight as far as you deem necessary. Coach DiAntoini and Mr. Walsh and the New York Knicks should be ashamed at the way they are treating this young man. By the way were are the voices of the the Pat Ewings, Clyde Frashiers, Dave Debusheres, and other veterans your silence speaks volumes. Peace and Paradise
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By: AK-12 on 1/01/2009 7:05PM
I Definetely Support Steph in this case because it looks like to me that D'antoni and Walsh are embarassing stephon but why now?? they could tell him str8 up before the preseason games: ''look steph we dont want you in the team' simple enough instead of what they are doing right now!!! it's Ridiculous!!! I want Stephon in the new york knicks and i Believe tha everybody does and beleive it or not if he plays he will help the knicks!! spesifically our game on offence will be faster and more effective and stephon is a Clutch player!!! good luck steph!!
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By: Was Up Diva!!!!! on 1/02/2009 12:08AM
I think that Dantoni had an axe to grind with Marbury. He told Stephon that he was not need when he was in top shape and ready to play. All of a sudden they are short handed and need help. They should just buy out his contract and let him go to another team. The knicks messed up
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By: Eric on 1/02/2009 8:36PM
Well, Steph have the nerve to say that the coach is down on him, or that he doesn't want to be a distraction....well that's exactly what he's been since last year! What Steph doesn't seem to understand is that he's just one player on a "TEAM", not a one man player team! That's why he had problem after problem with coach Thomas..he thinks that he's indepensible! But, in the NBA no player falls into that category, well especially not him! Lebron or Kobe...perhaps, but not Steph. Steph, you want to help the Knicks?...Then try adjusting your attitude!
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By: jgymnast733 on 1/02/2009 11:33PM
Steph, your the one with the talent,just remember the more they try to trip you up YOU will always come out on top, No matter how much they bed mouth you. Keep ya head up!!
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By: K.A.Hall MA,CPT on 1/05/2009 2:20AM
Steph, Keep your head up! You can come to the Lakers anytime, just make the call, would love to have you. I would also like to model your starbury gear for you, I have alot from the 2008 line, and now that their is no stave and berry, I have to come to new york, or get hooked up ith you, he me if you got room for a brother, peace, and take care.
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By: rushabhdoshi08 on 1/05/2009 10:00AM
marbury gets a bad rap.
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