This is not like me. Not at all. I don't like buying talent at the cost of chemistry and public relations.
But this just makes sense in some weird way.
The Wizards should make a play for Stephon Marbury.
Let's break it down.
First the bad. Off the court, Marbury has defended Michael Vick, testified to having sex with an intern, and rubbed elbows with countless celebrities (some of which may be questionable in character). On the court, he's a scorer, a passer, and is quick, but he's never been a proven winner.
Up until Eddie Jordan came around, the Wizards weren't proven winners, either. They still aren't, for the most part. But they can score and they're quick—which is enough in the East (for now). They don't, however, have a proven passer like Marbury.
Yes, his assists have been in decline since the 2004-05 season, when he averaged 8.1 dimes per game, but the Knicks have been a well-documented train wreck since then.
Yes, he has a larger-the-life persona that rubs some teammates the wrong way, but the Wizards, while not proven winners, have a team identity even Marbury won't be able to deconstruct.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Odds are the fun-loving Wizards rub off more on Marbury than he does on them. This team belongs to Ernie Grunfeld and Gilbert Arenas. It has minority stakeholders in Eddie Jordan, Caron Butler, Antwan Jamison and DeShawn Stevenson. Marbury will never run this ship, particularly since he'd be playing to re-establish himself as player and marketer for his Starbury shoe line.
Most importantly, he fits that need Arenas, Daniels, and the newly signed Juan Dixon don't—he passes the ball well. Throughout his career, his assist-to-turnover ratio is about 7.8 to 3.0 (not great, but he's been in some basketball wastelands where he's been forced to do too much).
Put him in a lineup with Arenas, Butler, Jamison, and Brendan Haywood, and we're talking explosive. (Heck, even Marbury off the bench as a super-sub could be useful if his ego complies—I'll take that.) Plus, that gets the ball out of Arenas' hand and frees him as a scorer. It creates defensive liabilities, but when has defense ever been this team's MO?
Now, we're not talking big contract here; what team would? Marbury's reputation isn't pristine, but for a team like Washington, a team missing a certain oomph in a still-fragile East, this move could help them pull away from the pack of mediocrity.
This is why Grunfeld built this team the way he did (with overpriced, high-character players), so when a person of questionable character comes along, he can be absorbed into the unit. It's what Jerry Jones has done with the Cowboys and the Red Sox were able to do with Manny Ramirez all those years.
You have to think Grunfeld knows he needs to do this, or at least something like this. Why? He's done it before.
Remember Latrell Sprewell's tenure in New York? Grunfeld brought him in, and the team was within three games of a title. This is that move, the one you build your core for.
Make it happen, Big Ern, before I awaken from this momentary bout of insanity.
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about 1 month ago
Well written, if I liked the Wizards I would be excited to see someone with the potential of Starbury, even though he has a ton of problems.
about 1 month ago
Thanks. The team would be guard-heavy, but in the East, does it really matter?
about 1 month ago
marbury hasn't been as bad as the media made him out to be. we all knew he was childish. nothing out of the ordinary for him. this thing about him driving away his coaches is laughable. brown has always clashed with his players. and if that isiah thomas scandal didn't happen, he might have still been here. they were actually decent in the 06-07 season with marbury playing like an all star in the second half of the season. if lee never got hurt they could've snuck in the playoffs. this thing about marbury causing trouble is really annoying. think about it, what trouble did marbury actually cause besides ditching the team last November after being benched? virtually nothing at all. brown started that, and isiah started that other mess. all marbury did wrong was be his normal childish and sometimes stupid self. if with this said, he would fit in on the wizards. its his last chance.
about 1 month ago
I feel ya, he's just a brat. So what, right? He's got talent and the Knicks were so dysfunctional there's no telling how many careers were ruined. Sure, he's never been a winner, but throw him on a team like the Wizards, an established team he doesn't have to carry, and watch...
from about 1 month ago
you are missing the point COMPLETELY. we knew exactly what kind of person marbury was when we got him. now everyone is sooo shocked like they asked for apples and got oranges. him not being a winner has nothing to do with it, because until you actually win a ring, no ones a winner, isn't that everyone's goal? we knew he was a childish guy who said dumb things. we knew he couldn't take criticism. we knew all of this stuff. he's a primadonna. we knew that already. and from what i've seen other then not taking us anywhere in the playoffs or even winning us games, he has not repeated any bad habits he did before coming to new york. he didn't drive drunk like he used to, he didn't complain to the media like his teammates did about him anonymously, he didn't demand getting players that fit his style ullike Q rich n crawford. he's done none of that. brown started that media battle. and the only wrong thing he did that was so cancerous that everyone talks about was leaving after being benched. thats it. people say he is a quitter. did they see how many games he started in a row before his dad died and he got surgery? you see, i think his presence is bad because the players dont really like him much, thats why he should go. im thinking rationally here. people really dont have much on the guy besides the fact that he makes a lot of money and puts the towel over his head. so you see, i am not holding any grudges that mess up me thinking rationally. marbury is overpaid, immature, likes to play his own way. sensitive, but according to his track record. he was not as bad as made out to be. they did the same thing to Arod in new york. ask suns fans how they felt about marbury. they liked the guy. they booed j kid for beating his wife. ask t wolves fans how they feel, they wish he stayed. maybe marbury is an idiot who gets a lot of money. but that doesn't mean he's the bad guiy he's made out to be. kudos if you read this whole thing
about 1 month ago
The main problem I see with bringing Starbury on is the fact that Arenas needs the ball in his hands. Arenas is a rhythm shooter and needs to take a lot of shots but because he brings the ball up and shoots so much so quickly Caron and Antawn still get their shots in and everyone is happy. With Marbury running the point its going to be difficult to make sure all three all stars get the ball. I do agree with you that the Wizards could possibly handle his ego but game wise I just don’t see it happening.
from about 1 month ago
Nabil,
Solid, and something I thought about too. However, I'm not convinced Arenas and his knee is going to ever be the player he's now paid to be. I also agree, Arenas is a rhythm player who needs the ball in his hands. However, sell Marbury as a Leandaro Barbosa-type. Somebody who possibly comes off the bench in high-octane fashion. Will his ego comply? Probably not, but that's why this is so fun to speculate about.
about 1 month ago
a team to look into would be the pistons. flip saunders and marbury have a great relationship and marbury always says thats his favorite coach. maybe they take him off the bench as a 2. dont be shocked if the celtics go after him. paul peirce has been on the record talking about marbury needing a change of scenery and KG said he would like to play with him again. or maybe he just retires from the NBA
about 1 month ago
Great article! Come to think of it he could make a great fit in the Washington squad. I kinda believe this year will be a breakout year for Stephon... but still want him to leave. The Knicks need to go young and start dropping all the old geezers!
Every smart owner is doing the same and it's working...
New Orleans, Portland and the Lakers are proving just that!
Great contribution man!
Keep it up!
about 1 month ago
If he went to Washington, though, he'd have to play shooting guard, and, more importantly, DEFEND shooting guards.
about 1 month ago
Nice article, but what about the Wizards salary cap situation? How cheaply do you think they could pick up Marbury and could they afford it? It may make sense in the short term (to replace Arenas until he is healthy again), but they might regret the decision to sign Marbury next year or thereafter (if they commit to a long-term deal) when Gilbert's big money really starts to eat away the salary cap.
from about 1 month ago
You're right, there is no way this will happen, but it'd be cool. I don't think the Knicks are going to give up Marbury yet.
about 1 month ago
This man is a joke, he maximised his talents for dollars and any team that plays him will suffer.
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