Looks like Peter Vecsey and other media members are looking to stir the shitpot. I do believe there is probably some validity to the rumors of Amare Stoudemire's feelings about Marbury's ball domination. I'm not sure I really believe that Shawn Marion was complaining. I actually think it was probably the coaches and management who are troubled the most by the game with Marbury at point guard.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/44827.htm
NO FAVORITE SUN
January 13, 2004 -- HOOP DU JOUR
SEVERING $119 million from Phoenix' burnt books by exporting Stephon Marbury (and throw-in Penny Hardaway, whose near-perfect production in two straight games is sheer throwback) to New York apparently isn't enough to justify suitcasing the season before it's half over.
A week after deciding the team couldn't realistically compete for the top five spots in the Western Conference any time soon, the motives mount for the Suns' dumping of their trophy guard three months after joyfully extending his contract five years for $76M.
According to those hooked up, piped in and wired to the organization, there were other vital signs factored into Marbury's migration than purely regaining a grip on excessive spending and being undermanned.
In alphabetical odor, Amare Stoudemire's infamous mother allegedly felt her son's development was impeded by Marbury's ball domination; Stephon was dealt before she had a chance to figure out how to blame him for Amare's flagrantly delinquent defense.
Marbury's one-way ticket to fly supposedly was enhanced by the growing grumble of other teammates regarding the degree of difficulty of playing with him. Nothing new about this complaint; we heard it in New Jersey.
Ballers know it ain't easy trying to harmonize with members of Over-Dribblers Anonymous. I defy anyone to get off and stay smokin' for a whole game as Allen Iverson's backup scorer; see Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes, Tim Thomas, Matt Harpring, Keith Van Horn and Glenn Robinson.
It's not as if Marbury's stone selfish or conceited; he's simply convinced the ball is better off in his shooting hand.
It's not as if Marbury won't pass - except when his team is losing on a regular basis. That's when Marbury's at his worst, trying to do everything by himself. And when that doesn't work, he goes into a funk.
That's what was happening in Phoenix, claims a forward observer. But not only to Marbury, whose dip in passion had management looking at him funny. The more the Suns drooped in the standings the more their effort wilted, not only under deposed coach Frank Johnson, but replacement Mike D'Antoni, too.
None of the above makes Isiah Thomas the least bit nervous. An assertion by Southwest sources, who have no stake in the trade, that Marbury's body is breaking down - both ankles have been surgically repaired - doesn't worry him, either. It's not as if any of this is a secret. Doctors were consulted. Homework was done prior to the transaction. The Knicks knew Marbury had stopped practicing as a precaution. He was averaging 41 minutes, second most in the league, so something had to give.
The reason damaged goods speculation is rearing its ugly head so all of us can see, I suspect, is based largely on the disapproval rating of fans. The Suns said the same stuff about Jason Kidd's body after trading him to the Nets for Marbury.
"Is that what's coming out of Phoenix?" Marbury asked incredulously. "I can't believe they'd dog me like that. I thought I had a good relationship with people out there. I consider Amare and Shawn [Marion] friends."
"You've been around the NBA long enough," counsels a Suns voice of reason, "to know there are plenty of people hovering around players who can and do get into their ears and heads.
"What happened with Shawn and Amare, I think, is they were told so often they couldn't play with Stephon they started to believe he was looking 'em off on the break, whatever. Even though they really didn't believe it deep down."
"Why try to defend myself?" Marbury declared. What good will it do? I'm not a selfish player. My body ain't hurtin' or fallin' apart. In the end, it'll all shake out. People are goin' to have to judge for themselves what's real and what's B.S.
"Truthfully, I don't give a bleep what they're saying about me in Phoenix. All I care about is helpin' the Knicks become a championship team. This is the best [bleepin'] situation I've ever been in my life and I intend to enjoy it to the mother [bleepin'] max."
http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/44827.htm
NO FAVORITE SUN
January 13, 2004 -- HOOP DU JOUR
SEVERING $119 million from Phoenix' burnt books by exporting Stephon Marbury (and throw-in Penny Hardaway, whose near-perfect production in two straight games is sheer throwback) to New York apparently isn't enough to justify suitcasing the season before it's half over.
A week after deciding the team couldn't realistically compete for the top five spots in the Western Conference any time soon, the motives mount for the Suns' dumping of their trophy guard three months after joyfully extending his contract five years for $76M.
According to those hooked up, piped in and wired to the organization, there were other vital signs factored into Marbury's migration than purely regaining a grip on excessive spending and being undermanned.
In alphabetical odor, Amare Stoudemire's infamous mother allegedly felt her son's development was impeded by Marbury's ball domination; Stephon was dealt before she had a chance to figure out how to blame him for Amare's flagrantly delinquent defense.
Marbury's one-way ticket to fly supposedly was enhanced by the growing grumble of other teammates regarding the degree of difficulty of playing with him. Nothing new about this complaint; we heard it in New Jersey.
Ballers know it ain't easy trying to harmonize with members of Over-Dribblers Anonymous. I defy anyone to get off and stay smokin' for a whole game as Allen Iverson's backup scorer; see Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes, Tim Thomas, Matt Harpring, Keith Van Horn and Glenn Robinson.
It's not as if Marbury's stone selfish or conceited; he's simply convinced the ball is better off in his shooting hand.
It's not as if Marbury won't pass - except when his team is losing on a regular basis. That's when Marbury's at his worst, trying to do everything by himself. And when that doesn't work, he goes into a funk.
That's what was happening in Phoenix, claims a forward observer. But not only to Marbury, whose dip in passion had management looking at him funny. The more the Suns drooped in the standings the more their effort wilted, not only under deposed coach Frank Johnson, but replacement Mike D'Antoni, too.
None of the above makes Isiah Thomas the least bit nervous. An assertion by Southwest sources, who have no stake in the trade, that Marbury's body is breaking down - both ankles have been surgically repaired - doesn't worry him, either. It's not as if any of this is a secret. Doctors were consulted. Homework was done prior to the transaction. The Knicks knew Marbury had stopped practicing as a precaution. He was averaging 41 minutes, second most in the league, so something had to give.
The reason damaged goods speculation is rearing its ugly head so all of us can see, I suspect, is based largely on the disapproval rating of fans. The Suns said the same stuff about Jason Kidd's body after trading him to the Nets for Marbury.
"Is that what's coming out of Phoenix?" Marbury asked incredulously. "I can't believe they'd dog me like that. I thought I had a good relationship with people out there. I consider Amare and Shawn [Marion] friends."
"You've been around the NBA long enough," counsels a Suns voice of reason, "to know there are plenty of people hovering around players who can and do get into their ears and heads.
"What happened with Shawn and Amare, I think, is they were told so often they couldn't play with Stephon they started to believe he was looking 'em off on the break, whatever. Even though they really didn't believe it deep down."
"Why try to defend myself?" Marbury declared. What good will it do? I'm not a selfish player. My body ain't hurtin' or fallin' apart. In the end, it'll all shake out. People are goin' to have to judge for themselves what's real and what's B.S.
"Truthfully, I don't give a bleep what they're saying about me in Phoenix. All I care about is helpin' the Knicks become a championship team. This is the best [bleepin'] situation I've ever been in my life and I intend to enjoy it to the mother [bleepin'] max."
