Bronze statue of Stephon Marbury is completed, Rodman with a speech at the ceremony (p. 6)

[sean c0mbs]

When former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury accepted a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2009, he was a few weeks removed from an odd and at-times frightening online meltdown, and a half-decade removed from basketball relevance. Based on the scope of his career arc at the time, it was just assumed that Marbury would grow sick of the expectations, and flame out overseas as he had during his fitful runs in Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, and New York.

Instead, two and a half years later, the man's a champion.�Marbury dropped 41 in the fifth game of the CBA Finals�(the picture at that previous link is fantastic), leading his Beijing Ducks to a 4-1 series win over the defending champion Guangdong Hongyuan. This is the first title for both Marbury, and the Ducks. And,�as was the case when Steph ascended to the CBA Finals two weeks ago, he broke down with tears of joy.�From AFP:

"This has been incredible, it has been an incredible experience," a tearful Marbury said after winning his first major league championship. This shows what this team is made up of, everyone stepped up and everyone played their role. We have been blessed as a team."




It's been a remarkable turnaround. Steph can still be�a little needlessly childish at times, but most were well within their rights to assume that Marbury's time in China would either go as recklessly as his time in Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, or New York would; or that he would flame out anonymously, as was the case during his short stint with the Boston Celtics in 2009. It isn't even as if Marbury was given a quick start to relish and keep him enthused, because his previous two CBA teams failed to make the playoffs.

Marbury clearly is aware of his station, though, and loves the country. The big minutes and shots attempts help, we're sure, but Marbury got those in Minnesota, New Jersey and Phoenix and still wanted out. He's comfortable, now, with a team and a league and a culture that embraces him. And, it's interesting to note, that he can be a winner along the way.

Now … back to back?






�

 

[Deleted member 38182]

i wonder how his shoe brand is going

 

[harlemtothebronx]

So happy for him.

 

[bigtimejerky]

great story... this w/ the jeremy lin situation, its been a great year for the game of basketball.

 

[sean c0mbs]

 

[swooshallday]

good for marbury

 

[|A-Man|]

Is Aaron Brooks finally coming back to the NBA now?

 

[mjmoney23]

I wonder how much vaseline he will eat to celebrate.

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

 

[witnessmycalm21]

Atta boy

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Originally Posted by mjmoney23

I wonder how much vaseline he will eat to celebrate.

 

[airjordan jb23]

Props to him... Good to hear he's been successful while over there.

the man's a champion

 

[rawex5]

 

[GaBeGRaMz]

Originally Posted by dreClark

My favorite player ever.

Originally Posted by HarlemToTheBronx

So happy for him.

 

[calibeebee]

Originally Posted by SEAN C0MBS

somebody please photoshop jason kidds son in the background.




Good for marbury

 

[sofa king awsm]

finally got a chip.

 

[duba169]

Happy for him

Why doesn't espn do highlight?

 

[airmaxpenny1]

With all the NBA players who fail to carve a life for themselves nowadays, Steph is looking pretty damn smart right now

 

[tommykairaa]

 

[pr0phecy718]

Originally Posted by airmaxpenny1

With all the NBA players who fail to carve a life for themselves nowadays, Steph is looking pretty damn smart right now

plus he's like a legend in China right now lol
he's loved over there, just look at this

 

[johnnyredstorm]

*copped*

 

[smedroc]

That trophy though

 

[goldenchild9]

Originally Posted by HarlemToTheBronx

So happy for him.

 

[luong1209]

Congrats to him...I wonder if he's able to speak a decent amount of mandarin/cantonese...

 

[mr j 858]

A walk down memory lane:

Fast forward to today and you can compare KD & Westbrook to this since we keep getting threads like the"Would OKC be better off without Westbrook threads" 

But really though just glad to see Steph playing again and having success in China.

At least he didn't go out and his life ain't a mess like AI's right now.