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[h1]MARBURY TO KNICKS: MAKE UP YOUR MIND[/h1]
/seven/09262008/photos/sports094a.jpg
STEPHON MARBURY
Knicks future in doubt
Posted: 4:39 am
September 26, 2008
http://shots.snap.com/explore/18730...com&cp=&asp=Stephon Marbury&dfs=10&tol=engageStephon Marbury told The Post yesterday if the club already has decided to waive him before the season opener, team president Donnie Walsh should do it nowand not prolong the saga.
Marbury wants to stay with the New York Knicks, but doesn't want to be a lame duck when the Knicks kick off training camp in Saratoga Springs. Sourcessaid yesterday, however, Walsh is giving Marbury a legitimate chance to stick with the team. Owner James Dolan may be unwilling to eat $21.9 million until hesees him in action.
The Knicks point guard took his physical yesterday at the Westchester practice facility and was told to be ready for Tuesday's training camp at SkidmoreCollege. Nobody from the organization has told him he will not be part of the season. But they also haven't told him to ignore the media reports, statinghe's toast and hopes he's not being kept on as a negotiating tactic.
"If I'm a distraction and I'm all these different things, why would you want to keep somebody like that?" Marbury asked. "Itcan't be about the money. If you feel you're better without me, just let me go. If not, let's get down to the business of playing basketball. Weshouldn't be talking about me getting waived or not. We should be talking about bringing playoff life back to the Garden like when I got here (in2004-2005)."
Marbury said he is concerned about becoming a distraction during training camp.
"We need to concentrate on how we're going to win, not whether I'm getting waived or if I'm getting all my money," Marbury said.
One conspiracy theory is Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are waiting so Marbury would have less of a chance to adjust to a new team, which could turn out to beconference rival Miami. The Knicks' season opener is against the Heat Oct. 29 at the Garden.
The other possibility is because Marbury reported under 200 pounds (197) and is in terrific shape, the Knicks feel his trade value could increase during thepreseason. For that matter, they may have decided to keep him for that reason. Marbury, who hasn't been this light since his playing days at Lincoln High,has one year and $21.9 million left on his pact.
Walsh and D'Antoni will hold a press conference at the Garden today and likely will give Marbury a vote of confidence. But Marbury said he doesn'twant to be kept around for the wrong reasons.
"It shouldn't matter if I go to a team in the same conference or a rival team," Marbury said. "They are concentrating on the directionbest for them. There's nothing wrong with that - nothing wrong with change. If D'Antoni feels he needs to go in another direction with a starting pointguard (Chris Duhon), that's fine. I know I'm going to play someplace else.
"I know what I can do on the basketball court. They know as well. There are newspaper writers and other people saying I can't play anymore. I wantto prove to my fans . . . what I can do."
Would he be willing to be a backup?
"I'm not coming off the bench here in New York," Marbury said.
Nor is he willing to take less than the $21.9 million if approached about a buyout. Nevertheless, Marbury said he would donate any new contract money tocharity.
"Why is (a buyout) even an issue," Marbury said. "It's my contract. I earned it. I wouldn't take a penny less."
Marbury said he would like more feedback from his bosses, considering the media swirl regarding his future.
"If D'Antoni feels a certain way, he should speak his peace now," Marbury said. "If he feels he's going in a different direction withDuhon, that's fine with me. It's OK. No problem at all. But it shouldn't be about the money. It should be about building the franchise and nobodyshould be worried where I go."
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/seven/09262008/photos/sports094a.jpg
STEPHON MARBURY
Knicks future in doubt
Posted: 4:39 am
September 26, 2008
http://shots.snap.com/explore/18730...com&cp=&asp=Stephon Marbury&dfs=10&tol=engageStephon Marbury told The Post yesterday if the club already has decided to waive him before the season opener, team president Donnie Walsh should do it nowand not prolong the saga.
Marbury wants to stay with the New York Knicks, but doesn't want to be a lame duck when the Knicks kick off training camp in Saratoga Springs. Sourcessaid yesterday, however, Walsh is giving Marbury a legitimate chance to stick with the team. Owner James Dolan may be unwilling to eat $21.9 million until hesees him in action.
The Knicks point guard took his physical yesterday at the Westchester practice facility and was told to be ready for Tuesday's training camp at SkidmoreCollege. Nobody from the organization has told him he will not be part of the season. But they also haven't told him to ignore the media reports, statinghe's toast and hopes he's not being kept on as a negotiating tactic.
"If I'm a distraction and I'm all these different things, why would you want to keep somebody like that?" Marbury asked. "Itcan't be about the money. If you feel you're better without me, just let me go. If not, let's get down to the business of playing basketball. Weshouldn't be talking about me getting waived or not. We should be talking about bringing playoff life back to the Garden like when I got here (in2004-2005)."
Marbury said he is concerned about becoming a distraction during training camp.
"We need to concentrate on how we're going to win, not whether I'm getting waived or if I'm getting all my money," Marbury said.
One conspiracy theory is Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are waiting so Marbury would have less of a chance to adjust to a new team, which could turn out to beconference rival Miami. The Knicks' season opener is against the Heat Oct. 29 at the Garden.
The other possibility is because Marbury reported under 200 pounds (197) and is in terrific shape, the Knicks feel his trade value could increase during thepreseason. For that matter, they may have decided to keep him for that reason. Marbury, who hasn't been this light since his playing days at Lincoln High,has one year and $21.9 million left on his pact.
Walsh and D'Antoni will hold a press conference at the Garden today and likely will give Marbury a vote of confidence. But Marbury said he doesn'twant to be kept around for the wrong reasons.
"It shouldn't matter if I go to a team in the same conference or a rival team," Marbury said. "They are concentrating on the directionbest for them. There's nothing wrong with that - nothing wrong with change. If D'Antoni feels he needs to go in another direction with a starting pointguard (Chris Duhon), that's fine. I know I'm going to play someplace else.
"I know what I can do on the basketball court. They know as well. There are newspaper writers and other people saying I can't play anymore. I wantto prove to my fans . . . what I can do."
Would he be willing to be a backup?
"I'm not coming off the bench here in New York," Marbury said.
Nor is he willing to take less than the $21.9 million if approached about a buyout. Nevertheless, Marbury said he would donate any new contract money tocharity.
"Why is (a buyout) even an issue," Marbury said. "It's my contract. I earned it. I wouldn't take a penny less."
Marbury said he would like more feedback from his bosses, considering the media swirl regarding his future.
"If D'Antoni feels a certain way, he should speak his peace now," Marbury said. "If he feels he's going in a different direction withDuhon, that's fine with me. It's OK. No problem at all. But it shouldn't be about the money. It should be about building the franchise and nobodyshould be worried where I go."
