Disgruntled Players

Perhaps it is because I've always been somewhat of a head case, I'm loathe to criticize disgruntled players like the average fan. Players are seen as overpaid egomaniacs that cry as soon as they don't get their way but I try not to see them that way. I see them as people that are trying to find happiness just like everyone else. Sure, making 20 million dollars a year can warp anybody's perspective but I don't think an exorbitant salary gives fans and media a free pass at unbridled critisim. We as fans say that if we were making that kind of money, we would go out there and give it our all every night and never complain. What I say is that fans should get off the internet at work and do their job well before we talk about others. What it really comes down to is that NBA players are human and some humans work hard every night and some need extra motivation to give it their all.

Stephon Marbury is probably one of the top five guards in terms of overall talent and athletic ability. He has speed, size, and leaping ability that few point guards have. He even looks chiseled even though he doesn't seem the type to spend endless hours in the gym. A 20 million dollar contract and a new coach later, his career is now more known for the trouble he is causing off the court than on the court. If you haven't been following, it appears that coach Dantoni asked him to play the other night and Marbury refused or channeling his inner Bartleby, that he would prefer not to. Reactions have ranged from Dantoni's utter disbelief to teammate Quentin Richardson saying he doesn't support Marbury to fans thinking this is more of his selfish antics. The one thing I don't read is support. Granted, he is not the most likable guy but I think he is doing the only thing he knows to maintain his dignity.

The Knicks at the start of the season were clearly going a different direction and Marbury was not going with them. Marbury played sparingly in the preseason and has not had a regular season minute - despite having career numbers of nearly 20 points and 8 assists. The Knicks brought in Chris Duhon who has played decently but isn't a NBA level starting point guard. They gave Nate Robinson all of the back up minutes and the message was very clear - Marbury wasn't wanted on the team and they were looking to get rid of him.

So if you were Stephon Marbury, how would you feel about being told that lesser players were going to get your minutes. That your hometown Knicks feel that you are so destructive of a presence they don't even want you to practice with the team or play during garbage time. This is often talked about in terms of a messy divorce and that is exactly what it is, a very messy divorce. Their love has turned into hate and there is so much hate that one partner is acting illogically and spitefully to advance it own way forward. I'm talking about the Knicks of course. The divorce was a long time in the making with Marbury the current fall guy for Isiah Thomas' reckless antics. Marbury's only choice was to accept their plans and sit on the bench and use his leverage, a 20 million dollar contract that the Knicks are obligated to pay but didn't want to pay. What would you do in a divorce, just let the other side humiliate you and then take your money too?

Where was Quentin Richardson at the start of the season when Marbury wasn't playing? I didn't hear him sticking up for Marbury saying that he should get playing time because it would be best for the team. Why is best for the team now and wasn't best for the team then? The Knicks didn't trade a point guard. Jamal Crawford isn't a saint either. He is someone you hate playing with. He is the guy on the playground that thinks he is the best player on the court and shoots every time he touches the ball. He is sitting in the corner yelling for the ball and you pass him the ball to shut him up. Then he does some crazy dribble move and takes a fall away jumper with 2 guys on him and makes it. Now he thinks he can take any shot he wants except he misses the next six shots.

So you are still living in the same house as your ex wife and she makes some deals that put her in a situation where she needs your help. She comes to you and begs you for help and even says that maybe that you can work things out for the next year or so. At this point, Marbury has been beyond insulted by the Knicks. This isn't some fight between two friends, this is now war between two enemies and reconciliation is not possible. Why would Marbury put himself out there and help his former partner when she went and told the rest of the world that he was useless. That players half as talented were better than him. That he is the cause of the team's problems. That he is being selfish. That they were better off without him, all in front of his friends and family. Crawling back and playing for the Knicks would look desperate and there is no way that if I was in that situation would now go back and get abused. Divorces happend for a reason and the reasons in this one are clearer than most. Marbury should stick to his guns and force the Knicks into doing something that helps Marbury and not just themselves.

Why didn't Dantoni and Walsh think of needing Marbury before they traded Crawford? I doubt that they just thought of moving Crawford. They were looking for a buyer since the beginning of the season and had been showcasing him to increase his value. They did a good job with that. Very smart to also showcase Randolph when no one wanted him before the season started. Marbury isn't exactly a character guy but the Knicks have been unfaithful to their fans and players for many years now and Marbury should hold out for every dollar that he is owed and make the Knicks pay for every mistake they have made.