NY Daily News’ Frank Isola Reports Marbury Buy-Out Discussions Have Begun
So this must be what they mean by the team game. First let me state for the record that Frank Isola hates no one in the Knicks organization–with the exception maybe being Jim Dolan–more than he hates Stephon Marbury. So when the tabloid newspaper locals know as the NY Daily News breaks a story that Isiah and Dolan are talking about buying Stephon Marbury out, I take such news with a grain of salt.
Had Mark Berman, Howard Beck, or Alan Hahn been in on this story, it might have more weight to it. I don’t think this is even the first time Frank Isola has taken a crack at this story since Marbury came over from Phoenix. “A high ranking team official,” is the source. Now this is a journalist’s choice of words, note the vagueness of the wording, which team is it again that gave you this info? Seems all to easy not to accept responsibility for the story if Knicks officials later announce the rumors are false.
That is not to say there isn’t maybe some truth to the rumor Frank has just created. The knicks have bought out many players since the Ewing trade. But to think that the day has come in the Knicks organization when Jerome James is too good to be bought out, yet a fully capable starting point guard on most NBA teams isn’t worth keeping this early in the season seems to resonate with me that Isiah must be looking for another scapegoat. It is just way too convenient to blame each of the three losses in the first five games on one player, the point guard, but if that is what’s happening, so be it. Does that mean Larry Brown should have stayed then, Isiah? Should we have even kept Lenny Wilkins for that matter?
Isola writes that Stephon might not even get to play much in the west coast trip. Does that line up with Isiah’s recent quote, “this year, only the best players play”? The same quote Isiah recently clarified was not directed toward Stephon Marbury?
This is just the beginning of the hoopla at the Garden. By the time the team comes back from their 4-game road trip, who knows what will be on the minds of Knicks fans everywhere? It could be Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson, Isiah Thomas, there are just so many question marks as these Knicks head out west.
Isn’t Nate Robinson hurting right now by the way? Does it make much sense for the team to buy out Stephon at this time? Does Isiah have that much confidence in Mardy Collins right now? Would Jamal Crawford be pushed to the one now that he’s 15 lbs slower than he was last season?
Seems Frank has opened up the wrong can of worms and may just want another chance at using the term “team titanic” in describing the Knicks.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Assola has ZERO access to high ranking officials in the organization!!!! He’s just stirring the pot trying to create news that isn’t there!! Besides,even Vescey had an optimistic outlook for our team this season.And we all know what a negative Nellie he is!! Thanx to schmucks like them the whole organization feels Heat after losses like that.And thanx to that Heat loss its rightly so.I still love my team,but don’t buy anything Assola is selling!!! I’d rather go swimming with Alligators than do that!!!
November 13th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Blogzilla,
Next post, PUH-Leeeze. Isola is not worthy for us to put all this energy in debunking. If it happens then __it happens and who would give Isola that rise out of the NYK. Say it does happen, follow the trail to the next fired MSG employee.
KFLL
November 13th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/SPORTS01/711130381/1108
November 13th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
“Through it all, including the losing seasons and zero playoffs wins, Isiah Thomas stood firmly behind Marbury and exiled anyone that had a problem with his guard - including Kurt Thomas, Shandon Anderson, Tim Thomas, Keith Van Horn and Dikembe Mutombo.”
As if those players really mattered. Maybe Kurt did to an extent, but those other guys were garbage for us. KVH? Is he even in the league anymore?
November 13th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
That was Assola’s way of bringing up the trial again.
He’s forever stuck in negativity.
Did he speak to Zeke to know the amount of playing time Marbury would get? This is game six!
I love it when he said, “Steph made the trip” as though there was some question as to if he would really go.
This guy is full o shit. Trying to make believe there’s so much going on, there was a thought of Steph not going.
Assola needs a good ass wupping.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Isola is an idiot lets get that clear. That said, I have to agree w/ him in his assertion that the failings of the team this year firmly rest on Stephs shoulders IMO. His perimeter defense is horrible. He dips in to help in the middle and either forgets about his man or can’t recover in time resulting in an open 3. Opposing point guards are getting to the rim at will this season. The interior D isn’t the greatest on this team but looks worse when Steph loses his man and needs help. Curry or Z have to help leaving their men wide open.
What happened to the Marbury we saw @ mid season last year ?
November 13th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
This is BS. How does Isola get this inside info when the Knicks brass won’t even let him watch them practice? It’s just another plan perputrated by the man to keep the Knicks down. We gotta play through the negativity.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Bein from Canada, I don’t know this Isola character but I think it might be cool to do a MODI-like breakdown of the last year’s worth of his “predictions” and “scoops.” Is he right even half the time? Is he more reliable than a flip of the coin? Where I’m from a rumour-monger like that wouldn’t even have a job (tho i guess hockey columnist steve simmons who works for a tabloid paper comes close). Sounds to me he’s like the National Enquirer of sports news, why pay attention to it?
LINJ, I don’t really get that sideways passive-aggressive humour of yours. To twist a Dennis Green line, you’re not who I thought you were
November 13th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Now ESPN is reporting it also. More on the Hit List.
There could be some truth to this.
If it is true, I hope he is involved in the deal for Artest so the deal could include Bibby.
I’m just bloggin right now though.
Pay me no mind.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
DVJ, is ESPN citing a source or are they saying isola said it?
November 13th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
scapegoat article. that’s what I was saying too.
http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/is-stephon-marbury-a-convenient-scapegoat-for-isiah-thomas-new-york-knicks-ar46202.html
November 13th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
ESPN, SI all quoting Isola.
You would think they would have their own sources and check them. But then, that would be real journalism.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Starburyfan
I also heard a report on BSPN about Marbury either being bought out or traded. BUT the story on the radio seems to refer to teh Daily Snooze Article.
Also I heard on BSPN that the Nets Vince Carter might be out indefinitely and that Alan Houston’s agent had talked with the club about possibly heading to the Nets. The Nets apperently replied by pointing out that their team currently does not need additional help.
I’m paraphrasing though.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Starburyfan
It really is a roomer mill out their. Hey and A$$whola gets a boost to his name being ciruclated out their. Hopefully the stink from his story will not circulate also.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
How difficult must it be to reveal a source? Isola cannot have many, with all of his insulting stories.
I wish IT would sic the dogs on that source.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
By Mike D’s blog up here in Westchester
Marbury put on the spot again
On media day when Stephon Marbury was pontificating in the corner of the gym, I know a couple of Knicks coaches and team officials were squirming. He was a frequent contributor to an embarrassing offseason, so the organization was hoping the unpredictable playmaker would sit quietly and play along.
So do I believe they are now discussing an escape plan?
Absolutely.
Of course, that doesn’t mean something is going to happen this week or next.
But in the corporate world there is a scapegoat for every wrong turn. Marbury is that guy for the Knicks, who are going to have to make a move to regain credibility among the fans should they fail to compete for a playoff spot. And the mere fact that removing the first blockbuster acquisition Isiah Thomas made when he came aboard is open for discussion, indicates the coach might be on shaky ground, as well.
Their futures will always be intertwined here.
With only two years left on that mega-deal, I don’t think Marbury is untradable anymore. There are several pricey veterans out there right now who might welcome a change of scenery.
I’m confident we can talk about this one all day long.
Are you OK with a buyout? Would you prefer a trade for somebody else’s headache or perhaps an overpaid role player? Do you think Marbury is an important piece to the playoff drive who needs to stay put?
• I tripped over an interesting comment from Knicks legend Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, who did a Q & A with The Arizona Republic and was asked whether the Knicks were on the verge of a turnaround. “Since Patrick (Ewing) left, they’ve had some hard times,” he said. “I do think they have a nice mixture of veterans and young kids. I look for them to be a lot better. And if they’re not, it definitely has to be coaching, because they’ve got a lot of talent on the team.”
• We’ll know more after shoot-around, but Zach Randolph is doubtful tonight against the Suns. And the Knicks are still calling Quentin Richardson day-to-day, which means he’ll test the elbow this morning in Phoenix and decide whether it’s a problem.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
warning the link I provided above has some youtube video that is garbage. they accuse steph of being on crack, and they call isiah thomas, “isaiah washington.” what kind of tv show is that, they can’t differentiate a two-time nba champion from a movie star? pure garbage.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
#17 was in reference to #11. Isola is #2–pure do-do.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I agree with many of the above comments re: Frank Isolated’s story.
Since he puts out so many venomous and baseless stories, who on the Knicks would talk to him
like that?
Wishful thinking perhaps on his part
LGK!!!!!
November 13th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Two stories about the Knicks free from hoopla and just at the level of decent straight up reporting.
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMjcmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcyMjEwMTQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/sports/basketball/13knicks.html?_r=1&ref=basketball&oref=slogin
Isola try to write a story instead of making drama you NYC Drag Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 13th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I don’t know about ya’ll but I pray to the lord the reports are true!!!
We’ve been saying for a while now that we lack leadership at this position.
One question…
Who would replace him if we bought him out?
November 13th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Wow if this is done, if he’s bought out would’nt it mess up the little chemistry that this team has? I think it would definitly have some kind of effect somewhat like a rebuilding kinda thing.
also could that be the open door maybe in bringing in Artest and bibby….maybe this change would make this team have and about face in looking at playing their hardest every game.
At the same time its only 5 games give this group a chance.
Just bloggin.
Why did I fall in love with this team
November 13th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I retract my previous statement becuase of the lack of credible informants. It looks as if Marbury is on the run. The boy done went AWOL
November 13th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Yea, I just saw the same thing booman…
They said he didn’t go to practice today LOL…
Looks like Frank will cement himself as a reporter that actually has great connections in this town.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Hey Defenders, let’s forget about the messenger a moment and look at the possibility.
This buyout idea has been a thought that’s been nagging me a while (I mentioned it once on this site). To be blunt (and not a hater) it’s seems Marbury isn’t quite into it anymore. I think this is the first time that he isn’t the best guy on the team (not even close) and it seems like his fire isn’t there. I also think that his Starbury movement is something he’s more into now.
Let’s face it… he is totally untradable. Unless you take absolute garbage in return. And that’s a bad idea.
Given the players, the Knicks need a defense/pass first point guard. One who is hungry. One who can shut down (or at least control) Jason Kidd (who’s destroyed Marbury for years).
We have to face the music and realize the Knicks will never win with him at the helm. Zeke knows it too, and before he gets fired he’s going to do something about it.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Great post Minnesota Knicks Fan
November 13th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Mission accomplished.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Marbury is poison and he’s always been poison….any team he’s ever been on.
He doesn’t want to get with the program so he should go to another program.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
This would be the smartest thing Dolan did in a loooooooooooooooooong time.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
I’ll even give him the benefit of the doubt and say he’s changed and become a better person. Anyone who donates $4,000,000 in one year will get that from me.
But it doesn’t change the fact that he doesn’t fit in with the new core of the team-Curry and Zack. They need a different PG at the helm.
PS… Think Boston would pick him up?
November 13th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury was conspicuously AWOL from this morning’s team practice, putting his Knicks’ tenure in jeopardy and throwing the team’s season into chaos.
On the day the Daily News reported that the club had decided to reduce Marbury’s role and may be discussing severing ties with the Brooklyn-bred hoops star, head coach Isiah Thomas informed the media at this morning’s shootaround that second-year guard Mardy Collins will replace Marbury in the starting lineup tonight against the Suns.
Thomas also said that everyone on the team is on notice and hinted that center Eddy Curry may be benched against Phoenix tonight.
Curry attended the shootaround, unlike Marbury, whose whereabouts as of this afternoon were unknown. Marbury made the trip out west with the team on Monday. Tonight’s game is the first of a four-game road trip out west.
According to a team source, Marbury became upset after learning he would not start in Phoenix, at which point he threatened not to suit up for the game.
“Any type of penalty or suspension will be in-house and we’ll try to keep it within the confines of our team. This is an in-house matter with our team and we’ll keep it and leave it at that,” Thomas told reporters today. “We hope to see (Marbury) tonight at the game. However, if he’s not, make no mistake about it, we want him as a member of our basketball team.”
Thomas was unsure if Marbury was still in the Phoenix area. There is a possibility that Marbury returned home to New York. All any of the Knick players would say was that Marbury was not on the team bus when the team departed for their morning practice at the U.S. Airways Center.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
From Mike Dougherty:
So much for thinking nothing was imminent.
When the Knicks headed for shoot-around this morning, Stephon Marbury was not on the bus. Apparently, the unhappy playmaker was catching a flight home. Nobody seems to have many details yet, but it’s reasonable to assume he feels like a finger is being pointed and no longer feels welcome.
“It’s an in-house matter,” Isiah Thomas told reporters in Phoenix. “We’re going to leave it at that.”
This appears to be Step 1 in a messy divorce. It would be difficult for Marbury to go back after leaving in a huff the morning an important road trip was set to begin. He’s already lacking in the credibility department with a few teammates.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Guys please answer me something, lets say he did go awol……what happens now for the time being? fine penalties will be put out but now what will we do in games to come? Someone please answer me this.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
SAY WORD!?!?!
WTF??
NYDN Link by Frank Isola
Steph’s out?!?!?
This better be personal or a trade. What a bad day for the Knicks to have such a silent media policy. I would love to hear the explanation to this.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
All I have to say is WOW.
Isiah finally grew a pair and is threatening to bench his boy Curry?
WOW.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Uh oh…go to ESPN’s NBA page and they have it as breaking news!!!!
November 13th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas told reporters Tuesday that Mardy Collins would start in Marbury’s place in tonight’s game against the Suns.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Marbury story
November 13th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I don’t know what’s more surprising.
Isola was right or Isiah growing a pair?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I also think this is a very real last ditch effort for Zeke to light a fire under Marbury. This is a big slap in the face coming off the bench. I think Zeke has been very underrated in his ability to spark players.
He learned from the master…Bobby Knight.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
What the F**K is going on?….And there is a problem with Curry too? What?
We have problems, no ZBO,no Q,no JJ,no N8, no Steph…and the killer.. no JJames(just for a laugh)
November 13th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
This team isn’t so good that Stephon can’t accept a 6th man role.
I would like to see Mardy Collins ahead of Steph and Nate at the PG (much like a trade for Andre Miller). I never thought Isiah would have the balls to pull that off and if he did, I didn’t think Steph had the humility to accept it. For his sake, he’d better turn around and accept it. He won’t live down the “I abandoned my team on a road trip” stigma. Bad move Steph.
I guess Isola wasn’t a victim of a “tabloidical imagination” and is not a “Berman in training”. I must eat that crow for those comments. Wow. NBA-TV done bought him some cred.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
DEE-FENDERS,
Not sure that I understand or agree w/ this move. Would have sent Crawford to the bench, at the start of training camp.
This was not handled very well, not sure of the motives behind this move. Mardy goes from zero minutes, to twenty to starting.
This is perplexing. If any DEE-FENDERS have insight please let me know?
Peace & Blessings
November 13th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Guys I’m actually worried if we DON’T have Marbury.
Who replaces him?
I don’t want Collins starting. Are you kidding me?
We have no options right now.
Are we going to pick someone up?
WTF?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
BARF
There no possible way to trade Steph’s 19 million dollar contract, maybe next year as an expiring contract.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Either way, we’re getting killed tonight.
Maybe the Clipper game we might have a chance.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Is Curry going to Play? Does anyone know for sure?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I know it’s early, but is Isiah already giving up on the season?
Damn…
November 13th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Realy think IT is lighting a fire under Marbury.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Isiah is doing exactly what DNM, Peaceman and I have been saying during the games.
Go back and read our comments while the games were on.
We were beefing about Marbury’s defense and his leadership.
We were also getting on Curry the last 2 games because he just is to soft in the paint.
Zach is the only starter that brings it every night.
I hope Jamal doesn’t think he’s safe from Isiah.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Just glad to we don’t have to watch Steve Nash destroy Marbury. There’s been a mercy killing.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
some fire, Steph maybe be in NY by now!
November 13th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Steady
Bury the trolls? I guess my 5:46am POST WAS ON THE MONEY!
DVJ,
I’m with you, this is a fresh start for the Knicks! Remember..Marbury stated that “someone” was going to
get their feelings crushed by the Lack of PT. Well he’s not man enough to be one of them, Fuggem!
Just like I thought, it’s all about ME Marbury! He’s now( quote from DVJ) got his Ass out of town on the Next thing Smokeing!
November 13th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
This could be the proudest moment in Isiah’s coaching career if he ditches Marbury and benches Curry.
I just hope he has a plan for PG.
Collins isn’t the answer.
Are there any veteran PGs available?
Besides Eric Snow…he’s Collins Senior.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
That last post was me! Not Gus!
November 13th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Thomas said this was not the first time this kind of incident has happened.
“It seems like he and I go through this every November, then a couple of weeks go by and we kind of kiss and make up, then we go back to the business of trying to win basketball games.”
WHAT A TEAM CAPTAIN.
Who knows with this nightmare we might just win tonight and make it a sweet dream.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Now I can go back and post some new stuff on my blog.
I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t put another post up until the Knicks matched Boston’s move.
If we trade Marbury…that will be a big move.
It’s about time !!!!!
Amen G Johnson
November 13th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
This may or may not light a fire under Marbury (if he returns)…but this is going to go a long way for the rest of the playeres.
No one is safe.
That means you JChuck.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Damon Stoudemire? Think Memphis will give him up for Marbs?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Just bloggin’…. If you’re Boston do you pick him up?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Stoudemire is an Isiah guy after all…
November 13th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Boston has a good thing going right now…if I was them, I wouldn’t risk it for Marbury. Especially with KG there.
I’d stick with Rondo.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I don’t think any team will take on Steph’s 19 mill contract.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
This is a different Isiah this year. His head is on the block (an no it’s some some MSM conspiracy). Rightfully so. If they don’t win this year, he will be gone.
There’s no way he’s going to bat for Marbury any more.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Meant to say (it’s not some MSM conspiracy)
November 13th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
His contract is 42 million for the next 2 years.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
DNM, PG’s don’t get traded for PG’s.
So if you think we’re headed for an upgrade at the PG position, think again.
The only deal that makes any sense is Sacramento’s deal with Bibby and Artest. But that doesn’t make sense either cuz Bibby is reported to not get along with Artest.
$19 contract doesn’t really make things easy to guess either.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
You guys dont think Collins can handle starter minutes?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Wow what a shock….I have to eat crow too!
Please stay tuned this will be very intresting
November 13th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I agree with Barf
We are not going to upgrade this year with a steph trade. But we need to start looking.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Maybe Isiah believes in Nate to play big minutes. So Collins Nate will be more 50/50…whoever is playing better.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I don’t doubt Isiah’s ability to draft a PG…but that’s next year.
Do you guys think we can make the playoffs with a PG by commitee?
I’m not high on Collins…plays defense, but can’t even make free throws.
He’s a younger version of Eric Snow.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Is Jared Jordan still around? Not the answer either, but at least an option if all else fails. His D can’t be much worse than Marbs.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
we need a pass first pg, Jordan is that, but he can’t guard anyone.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Maybe were blowing this out of proportion, did anyone stop and think maybe just maybe he was abducted from Shaq’s aliens from another world?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
We will be fine without bringing Jordan back from the YMCA!
Crawford, Nate, Marty and Q when healthy can handle the point guard!
I wonder….are the rest of the Knicks HAPPY? Maybe they are?
Maybe this is what the TEAM wanted!
November 13th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I still find it hard to swallow that Dolan would buy out $42 million. That’s ridiculous. Plus, if we bought him out, it wouldn’t even come off our salary cap.
But if Isiah wants to send messages by benching, then tonight is the game to do it. It was very unlikely we were going to win anyway, so might as well just lay the hand down.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
MinnyKnickfan
Isiah only plays 2 PGs. Nate changes the tempo at the position so you know if Mardy was starting Nate was backing him up.
What probably happened? Isiah told Stephon that he got his wish to be a SG. Unfortunately for him, JCraw is a better SG than Stephon is. As a vet, Steph should’ve have seen the writing on the wall (after all, you’re going to italy right?) and should have been prepared for the demotion. Thing is, Stephon is a starting PG on a lot of teams. But on this team, with the way Isiah uses his team, Steph’s a back up SG.
If Steph doesn’t “get over it” faster than the KnicksDefenders changed sites, he could find himself bought out or traded.
Mardy Collins isn’t Eric Snow. He’s more like Andre Miller except 4 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier.
I’d much rather watch Mardy develop than Steph disappoint/re-emerge (depending on the night).
November 13th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
here’s how the convo probably went?
Steph said “Ok. Nate is starting already?”
Isiah probably said: “No, its not Nate. Its Mardy.”
Steph: “So Nate’s not playing?”
Isiah: “Nate’s playing. He’s backing up Mardy”
Steph: “So when am I going to play?”
Isiah: “You’ll be backing up Jamal”
Steph: “But he’s averaging 40 minutes.”
Isiah: “Is he?”
Steph. “Oh, HELL NO!!! Who do you think I am?”
Isiah: “…Wally Pipp.”
(disclaimer: this is only a joke)
November 13th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
LOL
November 13th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
My theory is Isiah knows the only way to beat Boston is to let them have Marbury. LOL
That’s cold…ice cold.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
funny stuff barf.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
1st rd pick, Stephon, David Lee and Malik Rose
for
Kobe Bryant
November 13th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
So is DLee starting alongside Balkman and Zach tonight?
Is Curry the next one out of the lineup?
If thats the case, I’m hereby relinquishing my 49 win prediction.
If indeed Stephon’s ego is the problem here, its a head scratcher. Yes, he could start on a lot of younger teams, but is that where he wants to go? Does he want to try again to revitalize a young team?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
@boomann21
I wouldn’t make that trade if I were the Lakers…..no one wants Steph with a 42 mill price tag
November 13th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Barf
I don’t think Zach is playing tonite.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
ROFLMAO
Listen guys. Isola might have made us all eat crow today. But since the sheer numbers in Marbury contract and the duration appear to be real impidements to either trading or buying him out, It seems Marbury might stick around awhile.
I say this b/c I took Isiah’s words at face value about him and Stephon getting into this sort of mess every year.
My two cents if ever a move could have the potential to hit so many conceivable buttons on the team all at once this benching Stephon for Mardy is sure one of them. The move could play out in the following manners, which have all be alluded to here by our splendid Defender cast:
a) It could provide Mardy Collins a setting in which to showcase his talents on a night in which the Knicks are projected to likely come up winless against the Western Conference Powerhouse Phoenix Suns.
b) It could work as both a litmus test of Marbury’s value as a team player and possibly at the same time make Marbury reconsider his current state of affairs on the court thereby motivating him to return with some hunger to make up for the aspects of the game in which he is defficient– perimeter defense and defense in general.
c) The benching can work as the ultimate for of teeth to the warnings that a Wally Pipp story can and will happen if a player sleeps on his on the court opportunities. Hopefully this message will resonate with the rest of the team, especially those who have been less than enthusiastic about playing at both ends of the court.
d) If the their is to be an ultimate transition to a different PG once Marbury’s contract was up, it is probrably best to do catch a glimpse now in the first game of a back to back against an opponent the team is not likely to beat. Moreover since the play at the Point has been very suspect this year and the season is still young such a change to PGs who might better execute Zeke’s desired strategy will not disrupt the flow of the team as much as if such a move were made later in the year. (Think of the terrible Erik Mangini decision to bench Chad Pennington 9 weeks into his season when had he done so much earlier he would have had a longer course of time to develop Kellen Clemens for the remainder of the season).
The sky is not falling fellows. The time is right for this change. Although I admit BARF is right on how Stephon is fudging this up even further by how he is handling the change.
Also Marbury’s not a bad guy, I’m glad to hear about the changes he’s made in his life and the charitable work he does but the game is a business and if can’t produce the coach would be derilict in his duty if he did not look to those who could produce.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Hey y’all. i typically only visit Isola’s blog (yeah i am still a regular there despite the negativity) and also KnickerBlogger.Net, but i wanted to drop in to see how the positivity set was holdin it down in light of recent news.
The bad news is, it looks 95% certain that either Steph or Zeke will look bad coming out of this one. Isiah keeps his harsh words close and doesn’t use the media to communicate with his players, but maybe he’s been on Steph privately for a long time and finally hit his breaking point. If so, then Steph better have a REAL good excuse for missing practice.
However, Zeke might also be in line to take a shot here, because i think Zeke should have publicly threatened to bench Steph/Curry first before actually doing it. Steph’s obviously got a lot of pride, and i think he responded fairly well to Brown’s public criticism at times.
Marbury is a key piece cap-wise to the Knicks, and it hurts our future flexibility big-time if we buy him out or stick him at the end of the bench.
The amusing thing is that this could be the way to bench Eddy without making him feel too sensitive about it, since Steph is going too. If Eddy was singled out alone, he’d probably sulk for a long time.
If Mardy and DLee get promoted then we may as well play home games in Newark, cuz it’s gonna be Brick City all night every night. Oh well, at least we’ll have energy and defense….we’ll just have a new set of problems to analyse.
If Jamal’s ears aren’t prickly at this moment, then he needs some friends and family who can spit the truth at him. D the eff up, son!
November 13th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Wow, I assume you guys heard that Newsday is reporting that Marbury hopped a flight back to NY, and has left the team? Looks like Isola might have been right…
November 13th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I would be stupidly surprised if Steph was traded before he had a chance to comeback to the team. Maybe there’s a trade on the table right now that we do not know of, but I doubt it. I think how he handles this demotion -in the most vulnerable moment of his career- will dictate whether or not he is traded.
.$15 sneaker biz saves the hood money
.millions of donated money to katrina, nypd, nyfd, nyc teachers…
.donated gifts and products to kids all over nyc
.changed his game last year
.heralded for his switch to defense last year
.finding of religion and the power of faith
.publicly admitted to a court his past infidelity
.nate playing crunch time
its a sensitive time for starbury. he’s got to man up and accept that this is a time of transition for him in his career. he needs to get into the bible and learn more about his christian faith. he’s got to steph up like tman says
November 13th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
@Orange& Blue
Great post let’s hope it works out.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
“I don’t think Zach is playing tonite.”
i didnt think so either. so its
mardy
jcraw
balkman
dlee
curry
and who’s manning the bench?
With steph, zach, jeffries, qrich OUT
We could get over all that but JJames is out. That’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. LoL
Ouch, Breen will be at his best tonight. I almost threw up thinking about it.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Great post BARF #90. That says it all.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Look at Steph’s last 2 games. JNelson blew pass him all game. JWilliams took control over Steph in the last 2 minutes. And for that we are paying 19 mil.
We may see Chandler tonite too.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
DLT
Thanks for the feedback.
I guess after looking at the proposed starting roster put out by BARF, we’ll probrably be left with a bench
Fred Jones
Wilson Chandler
Randolph Morris
Will nate play or will the team have him rest up his Hammy?
Does anyone think this scenario give the Knicks an excuse to tank tonights game.
Anyone gonna watch tonights game?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Well on the bright side, we’ll get a look at Chandler and maybe even Morris tonight?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
sorry that’s 19,012,500.00 mil
November 13th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Derrick Rose in 2008!!
November 13th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Don’t forget Rose too.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Barf
Thanks for comment #79. Have been so depressed past few days. That lifted my spirits.
I like the move. Defenders do you remember IT benched Marbury last years? What better way to light a fire than use Marbury as an example? I suspect he will come around but the point will not be missed by any player
I like the idea of helping Mardy develop. Last year he showed that he is a potential tripple double guy. Maybe he is one who will shutdown Jason kid. Marbury, just see what happened to Jason Terry.
I love this move
November 13th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
O&B, I’ll definitely be watching tonight’s game. Hopefully someone will be around to share in tonights excitement. If its a blow out, I will abandon your asses faster then Stephon did when he found out he’d be JCraw’s understudy.
Nate is supposed to be playing. He told one of our local hacks that his hammy was fine.
Wilson Chandler is still on the inactive list right?
ISIAH
PLEASE OH PLEASE don’t let Malik play too much tonight. While I have no doubt that he is a scholar and an eloquent influence on the bench, his obsession with playing outside of his skill-set on offense bothers me.
ISIAH
While I have your attention…whats the word with Artest?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
LOL @ #79 BARF… wow, I step out for a couple hours and bedlam breaks out. Well, zeke has been saying this year only the best players will play. He wasn’t just talkin, apparently. Might be a blip, might be a trend, but Spurs last year had manu coming off the bench and this year Dallas is shifting Jason Terry to 6th man role, too (to match?). Those guys are still getting major minutes. If teams are going with a rotation that includes a supersub to captain the second unit, I don’t see why Marbury couldn’t accept that role esp at this stage of his career (two years from Italian league). Is he too old skool to accept with the new moves?
Ok, so am I to take from this that Isola’s scoops arre halfway reliable if not his usual negaholic rhetoric? Or do we say even a broken watch is right twice a day?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Jazz @ #100 you beat me to it!
November 13th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
BARF
Here is your Artest trade the simple way
November 13th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
oh, and don’t think that I didnt see you bitches mocking my ass about malik this weekend.
i know his flaws as a player…but ya’ll like to pretend like he has no value. some of you call him garbage. while his play on the court falls into that distinction sometimes (and only on the offensive end because he thinks he has game on that end), off the court the guy is great. while i know ya’ll scoff and point your noises up on that…it still is a valuable asset on a team of men. i wouldn’t put him down on a fantasy team but i’d put him down on a young team with a lack of veteran talent such as this one.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
thanks fellas…you know i’m here for ya’ll…i’ve just been so down after those last 2 games, i needed a knicks rest.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
dlt, i was pushing that trade all off season. people shut me down cuz they couldnt see parting with dlee.
i stand by it if it happens, but now, i dont think it’ll happen. the leverage is gone, the momentum has shifted.
i guess we have to start talking about possible deals for stephon…except how can you guess that?
steve francis was one thing. but he was coupled with a youngster of ours. if zeke’s going to get anything out of stephon, stephon’s going to have to lay by the rules and lay low like steve francis did. steve francis wasn’t on the front page of the paper in the offseason on some dumb shit and how many portland’s are out there with a spare 20-10 guy on the roster.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I think Chandler and Morris both have a chance to get some burn tonight.
This is weird to me. We all had to know that Marbury was going to get off to a slow start this season - he spent the whole offseason selling sneakers, not in the gym. Still, we also know what he can do when he gets into mid-season shape… he won quite a few games last season with his play. So why buy him out? Maybe this is all a ploy to spark a fire under him?
November 13th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Wow, what a day to comeback, and I’m introduced to the departure of Marbury as Starter,and him possibly going AWOL.
I’m back guys, temporarily, though. No free internet access from my neighbor’s wireless pickup; my service is expected Wednesday. Right now I’m at the Library with two cemented lions in the front chilling, reading your guy previous posters—a lotta reading! I’d have to save those prior pages and read later.
But this one, what a revelation. No more Marbury?!?
I think this ism Isiah’s way of lighting fire to Marbury—to get a favorable response in the long run. Like Marbury getting his starting position back. Marbury and Crawford I admit have been playing lousy. Curry too. That rebounding performance against Orlando was not a pleaser to us Defenders eyes. Now Dwight Howard is a beasts. I feel sorry for Curry, but if he wants to be an All-Star player–he have to want more it more than I want it for him. Meaning, he has to step up his game, because I’m not losing my credibility because of him. Crawford, too.
On Crawford though, I have to mention that all those carries he was called for was not called when he lighted up Miami for those 52 points. That’s Crawford game, that’s all I’m saying. But if has to adjust—then for him to adjust.
What way to start this season for us Defenders.
WriteOn ALL!!!
November 13th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Giving Up On Marbury Would Be A Mistake
Authored by Christopher Reina - 13th November, 2007 - 2:34 pm
Tuesday’s New York Daily News, Frank Isola reported Stephon Marbury’s tenure with the Knicks may soon be ending, or at the very least evolve into a reduced role. He also was missing from Tuesday’s practice and Isiah Thomas announced that Mardy Collins would be taking his slot in the starting lineup against Phoenix.
Marbury’s turnover in the closing seconds of Sunday’s loss to Miami while the Knicks held a one-point lead was ubiquitously costly.
His AST/TO ratio (2.83) is 24th in the NBA, but is still better than Deron Williams, Baron Davis, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Raymond Felton, Jameer Nelson, Kirk Hinrich and is more than a point better than Jamal Crawford.
Marbury has had slow starts in the past and his trade value is nil, so to even consider a buyout would be an absurd proposition. Starbury may be dead, but Marbury certainly still is very useful. Because of the way the Knicks are built offensively, a Marbury that realizes his limitations may even be preferred to the Jersey Starbury of old where he could penetrate at will and elevate to the hoop and finish.
During the Larry Brown season, Marbury struggled terribly in November and December, trying to make sense of what was expected of him. It came to a head when he went 0-for-7 in a December 28th loss at Orlando. But the Knicks’ started the New Year with a 140-133 victory in triple-overtime against the Suns in which Marbury scored 32 points and they went on to win five more games in a row.
A Saturday loss to Toronto was following by a MLK day loss to Minnesota at home in which Marbury jammed his shoulder on a pick by Wally Szczerbiak and the season was lost.
Last season, Marbury averaged 10.1 points and 4.5 assists per game in November, but he recovered and finished well, averaging 23.1 points and 5.7 assists in 41 minutes per game in 14 March games. In wins, Marbury averaged 18.3 points (shooting 45.7% from the floor and 41% from three), while dishing out 6.4 assists. In the losses he averaged 15 points (38.5% FG/31% three-point) with 4.8 assists.
Marbury then went on to have a tumultuous summer where he exhibited bizarre behavior, suggested playing in Italy when his contract is up in 2009 and also embarrassingly testified in the ABS/MSG civil suit.
More than being completely shot (see Steve Francis), at his age and physical condition, Marbury only seems to have his legs once every other game or so. He averaged 21.1 points and 7.2 assists per game last season when coming off three or more days rest.
This fact leads to the part of Isola’s report in which he suggested Marbury’s minutes might be greatly reduced, a fact of aging in the NBA which he wants no part of.
His presence, along with Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph and Quentin Richardson gives the Knicks one of the most un-athletic, lead-footed starting fives in the NBA.
I would bring Richardson off the bench (injured or not) and start Renaldo Balkman at the three indefinitely (you still have the off-the-bench jump-start factor from David Lee) because the alternative (benching Marbury) would mean either sliding Jamal Crawford over to the one or mean starting Mardy Collins.
(The Marbury/Crawford/Balkman/Randolph/Curry rotation has a +6 in their limited time together.)
Collins, who has been all but forgotten by Isiah Thomas because of a heel injury, is an upgrade athletically and a big upgrade defensively, but is still a developing shooter and opposing point guards would be able to collapse onto Randolph and Curry even more aggressively than they do with Marbury on the floor. Marbury’s three-point shot (.444 for the season) still needs to be respected.
Last April, Collins averaged 44.1 minutes per game and responded by averaging 14.8 ppg/6.7 rpg/5.8 apg/2 spg, making him an effective player in multiple facets of the game, but he shot 39% from the floor, 31% from three-point territory and 66% from the line.
Thomas should give Collins more floor time (which he did on Sunday), both to develop the second-year guard and also to rest Marbury. The potentiality of Marbury’s perimeter shot (which is now the most valuable aspect of his game and what the Knicks need the most due to Randolph and Curry in the block) and his reliability handling the ball (Sunday’s game excluded) makes him clearly the preferred option.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
WONDERFUL
November 13th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Barf
Again, I don’t see any team taking that contract of Steph(42 mill). We would have to sweeten the package a lot to get some team interested. But, I think Sac will still want DLee in an Artest trade.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
More info on the one who has went AWOL.
1. The Knicks board the plane for Phoenix
2. While on the plane Isiah informs Steph tha Mardy will be taking his spot.
3. An argument takes place where Marbury threatens to air Isiah’s dirty laundry.
4. A fight breaks out
5. The Knicks land in Phoenix
6. Steph proceeds to go AWOL
7. Malik is quoted as saying “I’m tired of baby sitting this team.
While I am not Frank Isola my information is credible from a Knicks insider on the realgm boards. If this is true then I think Marbury’s time in Ny is ending fairly soon.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Holy shit booman…are you serious?
November 13th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
BARF,
#105–LMAO
November 13th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
good stuff boomann!lol
November 13th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
I’m as serious as a heart attack on fat people.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
#1 KNICKSDEFENSSE IN KNICKS COMMENTARY AND REPORTING
November 13th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
#1 KNICKSDEFENSE IN KNICKS COMMENTARY AND REPORTING
November 13th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I could be favor of the benching of Marbury by IT, but why on the game against the Suns—knowing Marbury got traded
from there to here. Nash possibly gloating?
Is it kind of doubly embarrassing for Marbury to play his 1st benched game against the Suns?
November 13th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
BARF
“I’ll definitely be watching tonight’s game. Hopefully someone will be around to share in tonights excitement. If its a blow out, I will abandon your asses faster then Stephon did when he found out he’d be JCraw’s understudy.”
You’re too funny dude!
So your just like Starbury abandon the team when its down me first HA!
November 13th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Booman where do you get this info if you dont mind me asking?
November 13th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
booman, that’s some heavy stuff to drop like that. Any corroboration to this info at all? Damn, if that’s some made-up sh!t like my little convo crack earlier, that’s some foul sh!t to spread it without it’s proper humorous context.
If its true…I told you ALL we are 2 trades away. I said one was for Artest and the other was for a new PG. A pure PG. We don’t need one desperately becuz we have Nate and Mardy manning the postition but we need one in order to be backed up properly.
“Again, I don’t see any team taking that contract of Steph(42 mill). We would have to sweeten the package a lot to get some team interested. But, I think Sac will still want DLee in an Artest trade”-dlt
david, thing is, i dont see it happening NOW. If all this garbage about Steph is true, he’s the next to go and he is not going to replace Artest in Sac. You need someone desperate…like maybe…LAC.
They recently picked up Udrih, who is getting some PT…but I doubt Mike Dunleavy would want to coach him. Maybe Don Nelson would want to take on Stephon for 2 years. Maybe Atlanta wouldn’t mind using up a chunk of cap space on him…Miami?
Thing is, if you want to get the highest value out of a positional player, you trade for another position. As a rule, you won’t get as much value if you trade position for the same position. Unless, you’re trading character/leadership issues. In which case, you’re trading a problem for another problem.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
@BARF
Maybe Atlanta,Miami…..but how many players would we have to take to equal 19mil, it will be a monster trade involving 4-6 players at least. An Atlanta Trade
November 13th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Suns guard Raja Bell said he would sit out tonight’s home game against New York because of the right ankle he sprained Friday in Miami.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1113bellout.html
November 13th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Realgm.com
They have all the latest gossip
November 13th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
If Malik is tired babysitting this team, i’m sure he can put his “chair pulling” skills to use as a host at an upscale restaurant somewhere after we dump his ass.
And if Steph DID threaten to air Zeke’s dirty laundry, then Marbury needs to gear up ‘cuz: 1) Zeke knows Steph is crazy enough to do it, tomorrow…and 2) Zeke might fulfill Mark’s wet dreams and go all gangsta on Steph, make the problem “go away” street-style.
I’ll be real excited to see some energy and passion and DEFENSE to start games with, though.
i like Steph and i hope this is overblown, and that he can respond appropriately like he did during Larry Brown’s tenure (prior to the “WE GOT BEEF!” pick from White Boy Wally Z that is).
November 13th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
nah, dlt. Atlanta has cap space and has been trying to pick up free agents for three offseasons.
we arent getting talent back for stephon. maybe a pick or two and a swing player that we wont need or use. The move to Atlanta would only be to satisfy their roster with a PG of Stephon’s pedigree. Thing is, what Atlanta wants to do is push the ball and what Steph wants to do is hold it.
Miami…JWill is what you’re getting in Steph, basically.
I dont know of a deal that can be made. Not now. As the season wears on, who knows? I’m sure Isiah will get the most he probably can. He has a way of getting the most out of a deal, be it an extra draft pick or someone with a shorter contract. I’m stumped though.
LAC, maybe. They’ve got some dudes they’d like to move but no one we NEED. If Steph goes, it may have to be a blockbuster, multi-team trade.
If not, Isiah’s screwed.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Marbury might be in LA where he has a summer home. Would he dare acrue the hefty fines levied against players who miss games?
November 13th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
STEPHON MARBURY SAYS HE GOT OK TO LEAVE
By MARC BERMAN
November 13, 2007 — Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury contacted The Post late this afternoon and in two text messages said he got permission from Isiah Thomas to leave the team in Phoenix this morning.
Marbury had bolted in a huff, flying for home amid an apparent feud with Thomas over his starting role, leaving his future as a Knick in serious doubt.
Marbury landed in New York about 4 p.m. and said in the message to The Post, “I have one thing to say, and that’s I got permission to leave. I would never leave my team on my own. What I?m telling you is that I got permission to leave from Isiah. He said I could go home. God bless. Peace be with you.”
Marbury added he was not expecting to join the team in Los Angeles tomorrow night.
“No, I’m not coming to LA as of now,” he said.
After Marbury missed the morning shootaround, Thomas was vague about the mysterious disappearance, the coach claiming he wasn’t sure if Marbury skipped town, but a source confirmed he had.
“This is an in-house matter,” Thomas said. “He’s not here at shootaround. We hope he’s at the game. If not, make no mistake about it, we do want him as a member of this basketball team. He is welcome back, and we want him as a member of this team.”
Marbury’s abrupt departure could lead to the end of his Knicks career. He told The Post over the summer he planned to play in Italy in two years when his contract expires. He has two years and $42 million left on his pact, and the Knicks may feel it’s now time for a buyout.
If Marbury is correct that he had permission to return to New York, it is unlikely Thomas would suspend him for fine him.
Thomas and Marbury spoke Monday about his role on the team and Thomas was set to reduce Marbury’s minutes, and potentially bring him off the bench tonight, because of his lax defense.
“We need leadership in the organization and he’s capable of doing that, and we want him back,” Thomas said.
Marbury, who is off to a poor start on both ends of the court, is coming off a wild summer. He appeared to defend Michael Vick and dogfighting, and was a key witness in the Anucha Browne Sanders sexual harassment trial, when he admitted to having had sex in a truck with a Knicks intern.
Thomas said this morning he and Marbury also went through a spat last November after which they “kissed and made up.”
Marbury has told confidants he feels he’s best playing 40 minutes a night and would struggle in a non-starting role because he’s never done it before. The 30-year-old Brooklyn native has averaged 19.8 points per game in a 14-year career, the past five seasons with the Knicks.
He’s averaging 15.2 points, which would be a career low, for the Knicks this season in their 2-3 start.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I guess Marc Berman said he got a text from Steph that he has permission to return to NY and won’t be in LA either.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
i like the idea of Steph in Nellie-Land….he & Baron could simply alternate starting while the other one rests up. =)
Forget a positive deal for Steph, Isiah will have to revert to his earlier type trades where he picks up a few longer contracts in order to get a player or pick he likes.
How does Steph/DLee/1st for KThomas/Abdur-Rahim/Artest grab ya? =(
No, we just gotta all calm down, deflate the egos and see what happens. If Mardy comes in and shoots 30% in the next 5 games, then some of this stuff starts to sound crazy, no?
November 13th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
i wonder what Steve Francis thinks of all this? =)
November 13th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
@BARF
This the best I could do with A Clipper Trade and I don’t like it.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
BARF
Here is your SAC trade . Too many power forwards, not good
November 13th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
dlt, if thats the best you could do with LAC, then forget it. the contract kills it.
SAC trade sucks too.
Looks like Marbury is stuck with us unless he wants to give a discount on the buyout
November 13th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
BARF
I agree, there’s no good trades out there for Steph, TOO MUCH MONEY for someone who can’t play defense. Kobe makes the around the same, but he IS Kobe.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
BARF - Steph isn’t getting paid again (not anywhere close) so HELL NO is he taking a discount. If Stevie Franchise got 95 cents on the dollar to walk away, Steph will get something very similar.
His contract could be useful though, provided we’re willing to eat some salary long term in order to get a pick, or perhaps a useful, cheap young player bundled with some VERY bad contracts (hence my Sacto idea).
i think Steph stays, sits and stews. Who knows, history is replete with stories of strange redemption….
November 13th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
the reason i think the sac trade is not a good one is cuz, like you, i think steph stays.
after to the 6 o clock steven a smith report, whether or not stephon got permission to leave, the fact is, he left the team.
the responsibility falls squarely on his shoulders.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Somebody work on a trade with Atlanta where we can land Smith and Joe Johnson.
Anti…
Joe Johnson is a 2 guard in the league of Wade for sure.
That guy has all around game and I think Phoenix was dumb to move him.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Sorry, Phoenix didn’t move him. They let him walk in free agency.
Either way it was dumb.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Well if he does not show up for work,he should not get paid.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
@DVJ
An Atlanta trade you wish for
November 13th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
ESPN’s Ric B. says the Marbury thing is just a distraction to hide they(the Knicks) are a very bad team with a large payroll
November 13th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
DLT, we’d need to throw in evenly-spaced first round unprotected picks until the end of Jeb Bush’s second Presidential term for ATL to make that deal. Even if their GM is a moron. =)
November 13th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
from ESPN.Com Insider Chris Sheridan:
Maybe the Stephon Marbury-Isiah Thomas feud blows over after a few hours, or maybe after a few days.
But maybe it doesn’t.
In that case, the question for the New York Knicks is: Can we trade him?
Stephon Marbury
Mary Altaffer/AP Photo
Marbury’s shoes may be a big hit on the market, but is he?
The common belief is that Marbury’s contract, which pays him $19.2 million this season and a guaranteed $21.1 million next season, makes him untradeable. But there is another way to look at it, and from a certain perspective the thing that makes Marbury so unattractive is the very same factor that makes him attractive — his contract.
Here’s why:
If you are the owner or the general manager of a team looking to rebuild, one of the best assets you can have is a contract worth $21.1 million coming off your salary cap in the summer of 2009 when there will be a bumper crop of free agents that could include many of the players from the 2004 draft class who did not agree to contract extensions prior to the Oct. 31 deadline, including Andre Iguodala, Emeka Okafor, Luol Deng and Ben Gordon.
And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the fact that Kobe Bryant also has the right to opt out of his contract in the summer of 2009 and become an unrestricted free agent — as do Jermaine O’Neal, Richard Hamilton and Al Harrington.
So, in theory, it would come down to a question of whether a team could suffer through two years of paying Stephon Marbury (or buying him out) in order to have financial freedom 20 months down the road.
And don’t forget, teams that have cap space in the summer of 2009 can find ways to maintain that space for the summer of 2010, when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both become unrestricted.
So, you see, Marbury actually does have some value, and there are even a couple of instances where he might even be able to help currently contending teams looking to shed bad contracts.
With that premise in mind, here are four trades that work under the salary cap rules and would make differing degrees of sense for all teams involved (keep in mind that we’re operating under the assumption that the Knicks would have to be 100 percent committed to getting rid of Marbury in order for them to stomach these deals):
Trade No. 1
Marbury, Renaldo Balkman and Fred Jones to Cleveland for Larry Hughes, Anderson Varejao and Damon Jones
The Knicks gain some perimeter defense and add a frontcourt player who can actually play a little defense. The Cavs get a true point guard along with an energy forward, Balkman, to replace Varejao, and they get rid of their $13.65 million obligation to Hughes for the 2009-10 season, allowing them to become major players in free agency the summer before James’ contract expires.
Trade No. 2
Marbury, Balkman and Randolph Morris to Sacramento for Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Knicks fans will be wondering why Mike Bibby isn’t in this deal, and the answer is this: If and when the Kings trade Bibby, they’ll want a heck of a lot more long-term value than an expiring contract. This deal makes sense for Sacramento because it gets them out from under the $17.3 million they owe Thomas for ‘08-09 and ‘09-10 and the $12.8 million they owe Abdur-Rahim over those same two seasons. The Knicks like it because they get Artest without having to surrender David Lee.
Trade No. 3
Marbury, Jared Jeffries, Morris and Mardy Collins to Denver for Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, Eduardo Najera and Linas Kleiza
Again, you have to look at the attraction to the Nuggets of being able to get rid of Martin’s contract, which pays him $59 million over this season and the next three, while also being able to pair Marbury in the backcourt with Allen Iverson. Smith and Kleiza are both better 3-point shooters than anyone the Knicks have now, and Najera could be subsequently dealt for a serviceable point guard.
Trade No. 4
Marbury, Morris and Jones to Minnesota for Marko Jaric, Theo Ratliff and Mark Madsen
This is about the stupidest trade the Knicks could possibly make, so therefore (based upon their ownership’s track record) we cannot unilaterally discount it as a possibility. The Wolves would be ecstatic to get out from under their contract with Jaric, which pays him $6.6 million next season, $7.1 million in ‘09-10 and $7.6 million in ‘10-11. They’d also shed the $7.7 million they owe Madsen for the rest of this season and the next two.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Paul
If I was a GM, there is NO WAY I would trade for Steph THIS YEAR. Next year he has an expiring(21mill) contract. Then the phones will ring….and ring…and ring.
November 13th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
So maybe dismissing a Mardy / N8 / Balkman / Lee / Zach unit is premature.
OK, the shooting skills would be in the gutter. Nate & Zach would obviously have the green light to run their own 1-on-2 iso’s all night long, which they’d probably love.
But teams would really need to commit to controlling their defensive boards, which would limit the transition game. Plus, as teams collapsed on Zach and doubled Nate on dribble penetration, we’d essentially be seeing a lot of cutting and passing into congested zone defenses, which would create foul trouble for both sides.
If you approach the situation from the stance that we’re deeper than most teams, could this be a tactical ploy that makes sense, to draw teams into a half-court brawl-fest?