Back from China, Stephon Marbury throws barbs at Knicks
PHOENIX -- Stephon Marbury arrived back in the United States a few days ago after a stint playing basketball in China. Although Marbury has changed, his former team, the Knicks, has not.
The club is one game from mathematical playoff elimination, still looking for a standout point guard and still banking on what Marbury believes is s pipe dream -- signing LeBron James.
"I was the person everyone wanted to blame," Marbury told The Post yesterday via phone from his Westchester County home. "When I was there, it was always my fault. But it's not one person. It's a team, a coach, an organization."
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IT'S THE SHOES: Former Knick Stephon Marbury shows off his skills during the Chinese Basketball Association All-Star Game on March 21. While playing in China for the Shanxi team, Marbury still found time to sell his 'Starbury' basketball shoes.
Since Marbury played his last game as a Knick, on Jan. 11, 2008, the team's record is 72-129.
Marbury was banished by coach Mike D'Antoni at the start of last season and was the first to call out D'Antoni for his coaching. Now a majority of fans have questioned D'Antoni's player management.
"You can't trick Knick fans for too long," Marbury said. "When things aren't put on the table from the beginning, it's difficult to go forward. Being a straight shooter is what it's about. If you can't be straight, people can't respect it. I have no more qualms with him but he's a BS artist."
"D'Antoni told me in a phone conversation the second day he got the job, 'If [you] stay in great shape, in our offense you can average 30 points,' " Marbury said. "I was excited. But I was bamboozled."
As a Knicks fan, Marbury said he would love to see the team land LeBron James, but he can't envision the All Star leaving the powerhouse Cavaliers for New York this summer.
"Why would LeBron leave a situation where he has an opportunity to win a championship every year, to going to a place that's rebuilding?" Marbury said. "How does that work?. How do you try to get to people to believe that? I don't understand it. As a Knick fan, that would be great. But playing in the NBA, it doesn't make sense."
Marbury averaged 22.8 points and 9.8 assists for Shanxi of the Chinese Basketball Association and was named MVP of the All-Star Game after putting on a show by sinking three straight 3-pointers from near midcourt. Marbury joined Shanxi in midseason when it was on the bottom of the league and despite a winning record with the former Knick, the team failed to make the playoffs.
Marbury was loved by the crowds, which averaged about 4,500 per game. Fans chanted an altered pronunciation of his name: "Marbooie."
Marbury said he will consider returning to China next season, but getting a good opportunity to return to the NBA is still his goal.
"I was definitely intrigued," Marbury said of playing for Shanxi. "It was a lot of fun. The game is growing there, it's only 15 years old. It was a really great experience and I'd consider going back. I just want to play, whether it's the NBA or overseas."
Marbury, 33, says the experience in China allowed him to enjoy basketball in its purest form.
"The thing I loved most was its humbling experience," Marbury said. "I got an opportunity to see something totally different, an opportunity to see how people on the other side felt about the game I love. They have passion. They love basketball over there. You would never know that until you experience it.
"I got to see the true joy in playing. Playing in New York, I love the passion but going through every year where everything's so concentrated off the court, it becomes draining. You lose the focus of what you really are doing and that's playing basketball. This was just about getting better. That was the most gratifying."
Marbury was too busy to follow the NBA while overseas, but did hear about his former team, the Celtics, trading for ex-Knick Nate Robinson last month.
"Nate can score in bunches and score fast," Marbury said. "There isn't a downside to it."
The Knicks haven't made the playoffs since 2003-04, when Marbury was acquired in midseason, but he'll keep cheering them on.
"I always will root for the Knicks," Marbury said. "These people will come and go, D'Antoni will come and go, [Team president] Donnie Walsh will come and go. I will still be a Knick fan. It's in my blood, since I was a baby."
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