ISIAH SET TO DUMP STEPH
"November 11, 2005 -- ISIAH Thomas, Larry Brown and Stephon Marbury, of all people, had to know it would come to this.
They had to know the arranged marriage between the consecrated coach and the self-ordained "best point guard in the NBA" would end in a messy divorce. They had to know the perfectionist teacher, as impatient of dumb mistakes, slow learners and individualist inclinations as you'll find in any classroom, and a player yet to confirm he's concerned more about the standings than his own standing, would collide head-on. If Marbury's genuinely cared about winning he never would have forced the up-and-coming Timberwolves into a trade with the Nets; the reason being Kevin Garnett was the man with the mega-salary and Stephon was destined to ride shotgun, poor dear, for the league-lowered max."
"In any event, Thomas had to know importing Brown to become the Knicks' latest savior would ultimately lead to Marbury's deportation. Even Isiah Lord Thomas can only cater and curtsy to one franchise person at a time. Stephon had his way and sway for 11/2 seasons. Now Larry has all the juice."
"Not all of 'em, mind you. For the time being, it appears, the young guys are off limits, odd since none of the acceptable building blocks will ever be mistaken for a foundation. Marbury may not be the first expulsion but he's positively the primary priority. He's also the thorniest and most challenging, especially if there's any intention of recouping a resemblance of star power.
In reality, the process began a couple weeks ago when feelers were put out there. Certain teams (I can't get more specific without risking sources) with explicit needs were notified by Thomas and Brown they wouldn't be averse to moving him.
Why give up so soon on trying to reform Marbury, by far the team's most explosive offensive player? Because Brown has seen this movie enough times during the Olympics and training camp to believe it's played out."
"November 11, 2005 -- ISIAH Thomas, Larry Brown and Stephon Marbury, of all people, had to know it would come to this.
They had to know the arranged marriage between the consecrated coach and the self-ordained "best point guard in the NBA" would end in a messy divorce. They had to know the perfectionist teacher, as impatient of dumb mistakes, slow learners and individualist inclinations as you'll find in any classroom, and a player yet to confirm he's concerned more about the standings than his own standing, would collide head-on. If Marbury's genuinely cared about winning he never would have forced the up-and-coming Timberwolves into a trade with the Nets; the reason being Kevin Garnett was the man with the mega-salary and Stephon was destined to ride shotgun, poor dear, for the league-lowered max."
"In any event, Thomas had to know importing Brown to become the Knicks' latest savior would ultimately lead to Marbury's deportation. Even Isiah Lord Thomas can only cater and curtsy to one franchise person at a time. Stephon had his way and sway for 11/2 seasons. Now Larry has all the juice."
"Not all of 'em, mind you. For the time being, it appears, the young guys are off limits, odd since none of the acceptable building blocks will ever be mistaken for a foundation. Marbury may not be the first expulsion but he's positively the primary priority. He's also the thorniest and most challenging, especially if there's any intention of recouping a resemblance of star power.
In reality, the process began a couple weeks ago when feelers were put out there. Certain teams (I can't get more specific without risking sources) with explicit needs were notified by Thomas and Brown they wouldn't be averse to moving him.
Why give up so soon on trying to reform Marbury, by far the team's most explosive offensive player? Because Brown has seen this movie enough times during the Olympics and training camp to believe it's played out."
