Stephon Marbury News: Pro Sports Daily

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August 14

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"From the man who demonstrated how eating Vaseline is good for your health, former Timberwolves basketball player Stephon Marbury has gone frontal and confirmed: Yes, that indeed was him on-camera smoking marijuana. Marbury, who lives in Los Angeles, is turning the Internet lens on himself for all to see in his live stream at www.justin.tv/tv. On Wednesday, the celebrity-watching TMZ.com posted video of Marbury appearing to smoke a joint. That speculation was put to rest when TMZ followed up with another clip Thursday showing Marbury laughing and telling his viewers: "I smoke marijuana ... yep ... you saw me." From there, the 32-year-old free agent who played last season for the Boston ..."

Celts Pass on Marbury

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July 9

New York Post

"Stephon Marbury told The Post last night he won't be returning to the Celtics and is eyeing Europe stronger than ever. Marbury, 32, has been talking to teams in three different European countries, including Italy, the past few weeks and is growing more intrigued if a strong NBA offer does not come along soon. The Celtics have told Marbury they are not going to re-sign him after netting Rasheed Wallace. Marbury has been using Players Association attorney Hal Biagas as his agent. "If I have to give it overseas, I'll give it overseas," Marbury said. "I like the Europe option to bring the Starbury [sneaker] brand there and sponsor soccer players.""

Marbury believes Celtics days are over

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July 4

Boston Globe

"Celtics free agent guard Stephon Marbury said to The Globe early Friday morning that he doesn't expect to be returning to Boston after receiving a disappointing one-year contract offer paying $1.3 million using the veteran's minimum. Marbury said his representative, National Basketball Players Association deputy counsel Hal Biagas, called to tell him about the Celtics offer on Thursday night. The 32-year-old said three other teams, which he would not disclose, are currently interested. The two-time All-Star signed with the Celtics on Feb. 27 for the rest of the season after working out a buyout of his contract with the Knicks that paid $21.8 million after dealing with a soap opera-like ..."

Stephon Marbury mulls options

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May 20

Boston Herald

"We know this much about Stephon Marbury. The prodigal Knick loved his short time as a Celtic. But his time in green was as a role player, not a leading man, and this New Yorker clearly sees himself as Robert DeNiro, not Robert Duval. In the long run, that would probably cut against the grain for the point guard, who admittedly may not be a good long-term fit as Rajon Rondo's backup. That's why Marbury, as well as Celtics management, has to think long and hard once free agency begins July 1. "Being the sixth man coming off the bench is not a bad thing, but I know that I'm a starter," Marbury said when asked if he could accept these conditions on a long-term basis. "So it really doesn't ..."

Marbury's impact was proof positive

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May 13

Boston Globe

"Celtics coach Doc Rivers said time and again that at some point Stephon Marbury was going to win a playoff game for the defending champs. Considering Marbury's rustiness, his lack of scoring production, his limited minutes, and that 3-pointer he passed up late in Game 5 against Chicago in the first round, Rivers's projection seemed hard to believe. Last night, however, Marbury proved Rivers right. Marbury scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter to bring the Celtics back from the dead in a wild, come-from-behind 92-88 victory over the Magic in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Thanks to a much-needed spark from "Starbury," Boston owns a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven ..."

Stephon Marbury is a star again

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May 13

Boston Herald

"Last night, Stephon Marbury finally got to where he hoped to return to one day. He got to the postgame podium. Last Saturday afternoon, Marbury stood in a hotel lobby in Orlando, Fla., and chatted for some time about many things. He talked about the long, hard year it's been. He talked about what it meant to read Bill Russell's defense of him in the New York Post. Then, at one point, he joked, "I haven't got to the podium yet." Last night, he got there because last night he got to the Orlando Magic. Got to them when it seemed like no one in white and green would. Got to them with 12 points in a six-minute stretch of the fourth quarter, turning a debacle into a remarkable 92-88 victory ..."

Marbury glad to get an assist

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May 11

Boston Globe

"The death of Stephon Marbury's mentor/coach Robert "Mr. Lou" Williams Nov. 13, 2007, was understandably tough to deal with. Not even a week later, Marbury's aunt, Helen Thomas, passed away. And shortly after that, Dec. 3, the then-Knicks guard's father, Don, died in a New York hospital after having chest pains during a Knicks game against Phoenix. Desperately in need of mental help after three devastating hits, Marbury met with a psychiatrist. As the psychiatrist played a major role in helping him - and continues to aid him - the Celtics guard wishes he had a similar option growing up. He hopes to help the less fortunate, children in particular, get such help. "I found myself going through ..."

Bill Russell picks up Stephon Marbury

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May 10

Boston Herald

"When Bill Russell told the New York Post last week that the Knicks may have damaged Stephon Marbury with their treatment of the current Celtics point guard, there was a celebration on Coney Island. For Marbury, this kind of recognition from one of the greatest names in the game was sheer vindication. And for his family, there was an emotional release. "My whole family, when they read it, were thanking God," Marbury said following the Celtics' video session and walkthrough at the team hotel yesterday. "When the legend speaks, you have to listen. "Every word took a weight off my shoulders. He flushed out of my system all of this stuff I was feeling. He cleansed my spirit and my basketball ..."

Marbury contributes, then he sits

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May 5

Boston Globe

"Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo both shot 2 for 12 in last night's 95-90 Game 1 loss to the Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and they combined on a key turnover in transition after the Celtics closed to within 91-87 in the final minute. Rondo particularly got off to a slow start, and he finished with seven turnovers. Backup guard Stephon Marbury ended up having his most impressive outing since joining the Celtics in late February, with 8 points and 3 assists in less than 9 minutes. But Marbury remained on the bench in the second half. "He was terrific," coach Doc Rivers said of Marbury. "It was a tough call for a coach because you wanted to go back with him in the second half. But ..."

Reserves go to work

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May 4

Boston Herald

"Celtics coach Doc Rivers lost faith in his bench during the last two weeks. As his reserves continually came up short during the team's first-round playoff series against Chicago, he cut their minutes back to single digits. But on the eve of Saturday's Game 7 win at the Garden, backup point guard Stephon Marbury wanted Rivers to know he still was there. "Steph called me (Friday) night and said, 'Coach, you can lean on me,' and I said, 'Good, because I'm going to need you,' " Rivers said. "What I told Steph, I told all the guys on the bench. I kept telling guys like Mikki Moore to keep your head in this series because the time's going to come for you." That time isn't finished. The Celtics ..."

Stephon Marbury blames 'posttraumatic stress' from dad's death for woes with Knicks

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May 3

New York Daily News

"Stephon Marbury has finally revealed the cause of his tumultuous tenure with the Knicks - posttraumatic stress disorder following his father's sudden death. The embattled former All-Star told his sob story to ESPN last week, saying it wasn't just clashes with team coaches that plagued his time in New York - it was the same clinically diagnosed illness that haunts many Iraq war vets. "I had posttraumatic stress from different things going on," Marbury told ESPN. "\[My psychiatrist\] told me, 'You're a mess, basically.' " "Everything that I went through this \[season\], it was tough," he said. But less than three months after leaving New York for the Boston Celtics, Marbury said many of his ..."

Stephon Marbury right on point

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April 25

Boston Herald

"Brian Scalabrine thought he was safe. The Celtics forward, playing for the first time in almost two months after recovering from post-concussion syndrome, had made it through Thursday night's Game 3 without any blows to the head. Then he sat down next to Stephon Marbury, who was basking in a special night of his own, a 13-point, five-assist performance that ranked as one of his best with the Celts. Marbury got a little too excited, and as a result, Scalabrine received his first true concussion stress test. "Man, Steph on the bench," Scalabrine said. "He was jacked up and bouncing around. It was a good elbow. It felt good. I wasn't even expecting it and boom. But I'm good to go." ..."

Stephon Marbury and Celtics welcome Nets

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April 8

New York Daily News

"Stephon Marbury hasn't poisoned the Celtics' locker room, but he also hasn't had a positive impact on the famed Boston parquet since joining the defending champs. The Nets will see Marbury Wednesday night in Boston as they try to keep their razor-thin playoff hopes alive. A loss to the Celtics - or a Piston win over the Knicks at the Garden - would eliminate the Nets. As little as he's done for the Celtics, Marbury will be participating in the playoffs for the first time since 2004, when he and the Knicks were swept by the Nets. The Celtics could still finish second in the East, despite Kevin Garnett's knee troubles. "I think Stephon's one of those guys who can help you win a playoff ..."

Stephon Marbury deal keeps marring Knicks' future with draft impact

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March 31

New York Daily News

"Isiah Thomas' signature trade, acquiring Stephon Marbury from the Phoenix Suns six years ago - continues to be the trade that keeps on giving ... for everyone other than the Knicks. Included in the Marbury deal was a lottery-protected first-round pick that the Suns eventually traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the Tom Gugliotta deal. Next year, however, the pick is unprotected, so if the Knicks fail to reach the playoffs they will be handing over a lottery pick to Utah. "I found out about that as I was going through the process (of being hired last year)," says Knicks president Donnie Walsh. "We don't have a pick. But I'd like to have one." The Knicks do own a first-round pick in this ..."

Kevin Garnett defends Stephon Marbury

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March 27

Boston Herald

"Stephon Marbury is having a rough time of it as he tries to fit into Green. In Wednesday night's loss at Orlando, he played just 6:21 - easily his low as a Celtic - and went scoreless (for his fifth time here) with one assist. Beyond some brief flashes, the point guard has yet to play the kind of game on which he built his reputation - or even the kind of game that would lead one to believe he can be a factor for this team. Fittingly, the NBA's reigning Defensive Player of the Year came to Marbury's defense. Kevin Garnett spoke up for his former teammate in Minnesota, both as a player and as a person. "Steph's leadership I think has been sort of questioned and damaged, if you will," ..."

Made 3 boosts Stephon Marbury

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March 25

Boston Herald

"Doc Rivers envisions a day, probably in the playoffs, when Stephon Marbury empties the slot machine - when all of the misses the Celtics guard has hoisted finally will find net. "There are going to be a lot of big shots for him," the Celtics coach said following Monday's win against the Los Angeles Clippers - a game in which Marbury nearly jumped out of his sneakers after hitting a big fourth-quarter 3-pointer. "He'll get it. He's going to win a big game in the playoffs for us - you just know that." Marbury's response was to project himself into that game-breaking role perhaps a little too ambitiously. "I know I'm capable of having games where I can score 30 or 40 points," he said. "It's ..."

Thumbs up on Stephon Marbury

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March 24

Boston Herald

"Like many displaced Knicks, Zach Randolph seems happy with his new beginning. And though the Los Angeles Clippers forward hasn't stayed in touch with former New York teammate Stephon Marbury, he's certainly curious about the Celtics' new backup point guard. "How is he fitting in?" asked Randolph, who, pleased to hear that Marbury appears to be navigating through the locker room without any trouble, nodded as if he knew this would happen. "I'm happy for him. It's good," he said before the Celtics' 90-77 win against the Clippers last night. "When you go onto a great team like that, you have to fall in line. I'm happy for him. It's good. Players like (Kevin) Garnett, (Paul) Pierce and Ray ..."

Marbury talked to Riley before signing with Celtics

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March 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"MIAMI - Stephon Marbury started Wednesday night for the Celtics at AmericanAirlines Arena. Plan B could have had him playing for the opposition. Marbury confirmed he had spoken with Heat President Pat Riley before signing with Boston following last month's buyout from the Knicks. "They came in at the tail end," he said. Heat guard Dwyane Wade also stayed in contact with Marbury throughout the buyout process. "I think everybody knew he was going to go to Boston or try to go to Boston, so it wasn't a surprise to anybody," said Wade, who was a Marbury teammate at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Wade said he envisioned Marbury as someone who could mentor the Heat's young point guards. The Heat's ..."

Marbury so far proving useless

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March 10

Toronto Sun

"The Boston Celtics rolled the dice when they acquired the head case that is Stephon Marbury. If any team could harness the me-first Marbury, it was felt the reigning NBA champions would be best constructed to deal with the guard's baggage. Marbury hasn't done anything to disrupt team chemistry, but he hasn't done anything on the court either to make the Celtics better. Boston head coach Doc Rivers even questioned the decision to start Marbury over Eddie House in Sunday's home disappointment against Orlando. With incumbent Rajon Rondo unavailable because of an ankle sprain, Rivers turned to Marbury to lead the Celtics. The game turned in the Magic's favour almost from the opening tip. ..."

Stephon Marbury crams for next test

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March 10

Boston Herald

"The Celtics spent the latter part of yesterday's practice in a remedial session for Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore. With Rajon Rondo out and Marbury starting at the point, it was mainly for him. So Leon Powe, Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens joined in to run the plays. "For me it's huge," said Marbury, who has struggled while learning on the fly. "Having a day like that is huge. It's not even close. Being able to go over all of the sets and go over all of the options makes a world of difference to me. "I'm just trying to get acclimated quickly. It's been a challenge and it's been tough, but everyone's been so helpful." Five games into his Celtics career, he looks every bit the new guy who ..."

Stephon Marbury's chance has come to pass

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March 5

New York Daily News

columnist Filip Bondy

"The receptionist at the John Jay student center was telling a friend on the cell phone Wednesday morning that he'd just spotted Stephon Marbury, local legend. Heading to a shootaround in the fourth-floor gym, Marbury left a swath of gawkers in his wake. Villain or hero, take your stand. Fans jeered him heartily Wednesday night, each and every time Marbury touched the ball during Boston's 115-111 victory at the Meadowlands. He may not be in full flight quite yet, but Marbury appears comfortable enough in green. "The Celtics weren't the bad guys (back in Coney Island)," Marbury said. "I just didn't want them to win. Now I'm sitting on the bench saying, 'We've got to win this game.' The ..."

New number for changed Stephon Marbury

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March 5

Boston Herald

"It's unclear how Antoine Walker feels about his old number 8 being handed around by his old team as if it was spare change. But Stephon Marbury, unable to wear his customary No. 3 because it has been retired in honor of the late Dennis Johnson, said yesterday that he specifically requested No. 8. "It's a personal fit for where I'm going," said a cryptic Marbury, who said his only reason for the request was that it fit his desire for a fresh start. "(No. 3) was not even a thought for me," he said of the number he has worn since his earliest years as part of a family tradition with his four brothers. Marbury didn't wear the number during his three seasons as a Net, because that franchise had ..."

Celtics work Stephon Marbury

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March 3

Boston Herald

"Stephon Marbury was wide-eyed and sweaty when he was the last man off the practice floor yesterday. His first Celtics session had gone predictably long, not ending until he went through a separate tutorial with fellow New York high school star Armond Hill. He had to work on coming off the pin-down picks his new teammates will be setting. As Marbury spoke, he still was breathing hard even though he’d been on a diligent workout regimen all year. But this was, he was realizing, quite different. This was Celtics abuse. “Oh yeah, but it’s good,” Marbury said, summoning the energy for a brief smile. “It was a hard practice today defensively. Defensively this team is amazing. They work at it. ..."

Marbury an eager student

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March 1

Boston Globe

"For the sendoff game before their last road trip three weeks ago, the Celtics' bench was occupied by Tony Allen, Sam Cassell, Patrick O'Bryant, Gabe Pruitt, and Brian Scalabrine. Kevin Garnett was in the starting lineup. At the time, Stephon Marbury was an exiled New York Knickerbocker and Mikki Moore a less-than-satisfied Sacramento King. Now, Marbury and Moore are full-fledged members of the Celtics (47-13) and will be expected to take on significant roles against the Detroit Pistons today. Marbury and Moore were introduced to the home crowd before a 104-99 win over Indiana Friday. And yesterday, they were introduced to the Celtics' defensive and offensive schemes at the team's Waltham ..."

Distraction Gone, but Knicks' Tab Remains Open

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March 1

New York Times

"By the time the Knicks waived him last week, Stephon Marbury had collected about $150,000 a day to sit in exile, according to an analysis by CNBC's Darren Rovell. But the Knicks are not done paying for Marbury. The final bill comes due in June 2010, when the Utah Jazz will claim the Knicks' first-round draft pick, which is unprotected and could be in the lottery. The pick was part of the package the Knicks sent to Phoenix for Marbury in January 2004. (Utah later acquired it from Phoenix.) The cost of acquiring Marbury, who never led the Knicks to a winning season, has been staggering. ¶He was paid about $70 million over five years. ¶The Knicks sent more than $20 million in expiring ..."

Source: Steph's Tongue Delayed Move To Celtics

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February 28

New York Post

"With rumors swirling all summer he would be released, Stephon Marbury phoned Donnie Walsh a week before training camp. Walsh told Marbury indeed he may be waived, but "it's not written in stone." According to a source close to Marbury, the Knicks point guard then asked Walsh if he could talk to the Celtics because he thought there might be interest. One day later, Walsh informed Marbury he was coming to training camp because Knicks owner James Dolan was not comfortable with the idea of him playing for their arch rivals, according to the source. If Marbury had held his tongue, his Boston arrival could have come much sooner. After being held hostage - in his mind - for the last five ..."

Former Knicks guard Stephon Marbury signs with Celtics

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February 28

New York Daily News

"Former Knick Stephon Marbury signed on with the Boston Celtics, as expected, in hopes of winning a ring with the defending champs as a backup guard. Marbury, who reached a buyout settlement with the Knicks earlier this week, signed for the veteran's exception, which, pro-rated, is somewhere around $400,000. Marbury joined the Celtics for their Friday morning shootaround and is available to play Friday night against the Indiana Pacers. After his tumultuous career with the Knicks, his signing sparked league-wide debate. "It could be a good move and you hope it doesn't blow up in their face," said Reggie Miller, an analyst for Turner Broadcasting. "Let's face it, every place he's played, he's ..."

Big Hand for Marbury as He Helps Celtics Win

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February 28

New York Times

"Stephon Marbury made his long-awaited season debut Friday night - one that, for him, was equal parts exhilaration and relief. The exhilaration came in the form of the white and green No. 8 Celtics jersey he wore and because he was back, once again, at a place he loves most: the basketball court. The relief he felt was that his long Knicks nightmare, which ended Tuesday when he accepted a contract buyout, was something he could put behind him. "The situation was what the situation was," he said before Friday's game here against the Indiana Pacers. "I'm human. I made mistakes. I've learned from my mistakes. You have to keep pushing on." Or, as Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said when asked about ..."

Marbury signs with Celtics

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February 27

Boston Globe

"The Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent guard Stephon Marbury. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed, though two NBA sources said before Marbury cleared waivers that he would sign for the prorated veteran minimum of $1.3 million for the rest of the season. "We are very excited to have a player of Stephon’s caliber joining our team. Our entire organization is confident in the belief that Stephon can play an important role in helping us to win another championship,” said president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. The two-time All-Star, who will wear No. 8 with the Celtics, is undergoing a physical this afternoon and is expected to attend a closed ..."

Glass Half-Full: Steph Can Help Celtics

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February 27

New York Post

columnist Peter Vecsey

"LET'S do something somewhat uncommon for this site, shall we? Today, we look at the shot glass as half-full; accentuate the positive in people, overlook back-page pictures of a personality that make him look like a crack head who just found $20 and hold the negative in abeyance until my next regularly scheduled mood swing. Exhibit "A" is Stephon Marbury, bound for Boston in time to earn a playoff placemat - unless, of course, he realizes the error of his way, pulls an Antonio McDyess, waits a month and re-signs with the Knicks. Pardon me while I regulate my meds. Anyway, back to Marbury, who, if nothing else, provides fresh legs and a resuscitated spirit nearly 60 games into the season. ..."

Marbury Set To Join Celtics

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February 27

New York Post

"Stephon Marbury will join the Celtics this morning after clearing waivers. He will meet the Boston press and is expected to dress for tonight's game vs. the Pacers at the new Boston Garden. It's unclear if he will play. Marbury hasn't played since the regular season began when coach Mike D'Antoni deemed him too much of a risk because of his past baggage. Marbury, who shot 50 percent during preseason, hasn't practiced with the Knicks since late November. Marbury's role on the Celtics likely will be off the bench, playing alongside shooting guard Eddie House. It seems the Celtics need Marbury now more than ever with backup point guard Gabe Pruitt arrested yesterday for DUI in Los Angeles. ..."

Marbury answers call

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February 27

Boston Globe

"One of the most memorable scenes in NBA draft history happened in 1996, when Stephon Marbury cried tears of joy with his family after he was picked. Thirteen years later, the two-time All-Star said he is feeling similar joy on the eve of a new beginning with the Celtics. Marbury told the Globe last night he would be in Boston early this morning after driving from New York City. Marbury, 32, planned to be at shootaround in Waltham after clearing waivers at 10 a.m. Then he'll sign with the Celtics for a prorated veteran's minimum of $1.3 million after being embroiled in an ugly suspension and buyout with the Knicks that ended Tuesday. The 6-foot-2-inch Marbury said whether he is available to ..."

Marbury not worth the trouble

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February 27

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist John Smallwood

"REASON NO. 2,357 why the world of professional sports has absolutely nothing in common with the one in which the rest of us live and operate.In our world, where a sagging economy has most of us looking over our shoulders hoping just to get through to the next day, you don't get paid more than $19 million for doing nothing and then get an extra reward of being able to play for a team favored to win the NBA title.That's what former New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury is about to pull off.While most of us would settle for just a slice of cake, Marbury is about to have his cake, eat it, and come back for seconds, thirds and fourths.On Tuesday, Marbury ended his seasonlong feud with the ..."

Marbury Says He’s Going to Boston

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February 26

New York Times

"The Stephon Marbury era in Boston will begin Friday morning when Marbury, the former Knicks point guard, officially signs with the Boston Celtics. “The great thing is that they want me to play with them,” Marbury said at his home in Purchase, N.Y. He added that he had already met with some of his new teammates. Marbury is scheduled to meet with reporters in Boston on Friday morning and be in uniform Friday night when the Celtics host the Indiana Pacers. Asked about his role with the Celtics, presumably to back up guard Rajon Rondo, Marbury said, “I’ll just let my game speak for itself.” Marbury, who turned 32 a week ago, is expected to sign for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million. He has ..."

Stephon Defends His Stay

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February 26

New York Post

"Stephon Marbury, in his first interview since being put on waivers Tuesday, defended his five-year stint with the Knicks that featured just one playoff berth and multiple controversies. "One person can't bring you to the playoffs or win a championship," Marbury told The Post yesterday. "Michael Jordan proved it. You need a team to do it. I respect the fans, but it takes a team to do it, not an individual. People want to put the blame on me, that's fine." Marbury said he cannot talk about the Celtics or any team he may join until he clears waivers tomorrow morning and is technically a free agent. He has been ordered by the Players' Association to limit his comments until then. Sources say ..."

J.J. Barea's strong play dulls Mavericks' interest in Stephon Marbury

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February 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The idea of Stephon Marbury intrigued the Dallas Mavericks at one point. But when New York reached a buyout agreement with its petulant star Tuesday, the Mavericks never discussed adding him to the roster. The decision had nothing to do with reports that Marbury is destined to land in Boston. It had everything to do with the improved play of J.J. Barea. "We looked at it early in the season," owner Mark Cuban said of pursuing Marbury if he was released. "But J.J. is playing a whole lot better. "He's had some great games." None of the Mavericks had a great game in their loss to San Antonio. The lack of effort and focus makes you wonder if the past three weeks has been a mirage. But Barea was ..."

Celtics ready, willing to take risk with Marbury

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February 26

L.A. Daily News

columnist Ramona Shelburne

"They've known it for a while now. Maybe even from the start. As constructed, the Celtics would not last. Or, be able to relive their recent past. Their bench was thin, their stars were tired. One more significant injury and things could really go bad. Their record still sparkled, but deep in their guts, they knew it might not be enough to play until June. On Wednesday night, just to drive home the point, Boston lost to the Clippers 93-91 at Staples Center. Fortunately, it's nothing a little trip through the NBA's scrap heap can't fix. On Tuesday the Celtics picked up Sacramento's discarded power forward Mikki Moore to play the role of P.J. Brown, once Brown finally convinced everyone he ..."

A Star Whose Teams Are Usually Better Off Without Him

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February 26

New York Times

columnist Liz Robbins

"When it comes to leaving teams and joining new ones, Stephon Marbury has possessed the kind of ebullient optimism and uncanny vision that he never quite had on the court. "We are who we are," Marbury once told me when I covered his team. "We're stuck. The only way they make this team better is if they trade me." He made that prescient comment in June 2001, when he was still with the Nets, not knowing that a week later the Nets would trade him to Phoenix for point guard Jason Kidd. Kidd proceeded to take the Nets to back-to-back N.B.A. finals. "I think it will make my career go through the roof," Marbury said then of his trade to the Suns. "I'm just happy, to be honest. I'm happy the ..."

Feeling Some Relief, the Knicks Move on Without Marbury

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February 26

New York Times

"Stephon Marbury is gone and Donnie Walsh is relieved, but not necessarily for the reasons anyone would assume. "Only from the standpoint that when I go out to watch guys shoot, you won't come over and ask me those questions every night," Walsh told a roomful of reporters Wednesday, a day after the Knicks released Marbury and ended his turbulent career in New York. Walsh, the team president, was not smiling when he made the statement. Marbury ceased to be a distraction to teammates and coaches nearly three months ago, when the Knicks banished him. But the tension lingered because Marbury remained tethered to the team by his $20.8 million contract. Buyout negotiations failed in early ..."

One Last Chance To Be Steph Of Legends

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February 25

New York Post

columnist Mike Vaccaro

"One more time, one last time, Stephon Marbury has a chance to put a proper ending on a basketball career that once promised so much, that to date has delivered so little. This is a New York basketball story again, just not a Knicks story. Whatever hopes we once had that they could be one and the same, the New York point guard guiding New York's basketball team back to prominence and pre-eminence, we long ago abandoned that as a viable possibility. Part of that falls on Marbury, who never did embrace any of the various roles asked of him by Lenny Wilkens, Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas, whose last public moment as a Knick was refusing to play on the night before Thanksgiving in Detroit, a ..."

Dead To Knicks, Marbury Likely Headed To Celts

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February 25

New York Post

"Stephon Marbury left a prestigious Manhattan law office in a black overcoat at 2:30 p.m. yesterday, skipping across the cold Times Square streets in glee, raising his arms in triumph, bellowing, "I'm happy." Marbury has been set free by the Knicks and now he will wear green. Marbury will sign with the Celtics once he clears waivers in two days to try to win a championship, according to sources. The Knicks said goodbye to Marbury, but could say hello to him again in the first round of the playoffs. The Knicks announced last night they had reached a buyout agreement with Marbury during yesterday's arbitration hearing at Skadden, Arps over the banished point guard's $400,000 fine for ..."

Knicks reach buyout with exiled point guard Stephon Marbury

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February 25

New York Daily News

"The Madison Square Garden marquee welcomed home Stephon Marbury five years ago as the Brooklyn-born and bred point guard was about to play his first game with the Knicks. His homecoming was supposed to signal the start of a grand era for a franchise that hadn't won an NBA championship since 1973. At least that was Isiah Thomas' plan. But Marbury's run in New York was grand only in that it blew up famously and had enough embarrassments to make Latrell Sprewell blush. There was no mention of Marbury on the Garden marqueeÂ Tuesday night when the Knicks officially - and finally - rid themselves of one of the most controversial players in franchise history when they agreed to release the ..."

Marbury and Knicks Agree on Buyout

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February 25

New York Times

"Stephon Marbury, whose New York homecoming began with fanfare and ended in infamy, finally severed ties with the Knicks on Tuesday, ending a tense, three-month standoff with the franchise. Marbury agreed to a contract buyout after a four-hour meeting with Donnie Walsh, the team's president, and was granted his release. The team filed a waiver request after the N.B.A. was closed for business, so the 48-hour waiver process will begin Wednesday morning. Marbury will be eligible to sign with a new team Friday. According to multiple news media outlets, he intends to sign with the defending champion Boston Celtics. By gaining his release before March 1, Marbury will be eligible to play in the ..."

Knicks Waive Goodbye To Marbury

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February 24

New York Post

"Stephon Marbury and the Knicks reached an agreement today on a buyout settlement during an arbitration hearing over the point guard's $400,000 fine, according to an NBA source. Marbury was waived hours after meeting with team president Donnie Walsh today at a Midtown law firm. Marbury left the Times Square offices skipping across the street in glee, posing for a Post photographer before heading off. Marbury did not comment to a handful of reporters. "A comprehensive agreement was made this afternoon between the New York Knicks and Stephon Marbury," the Knicks said in a statement. "Under its terms, the grievance has been resolved and the Knicks have requested waivers on Stephon. No ..."

Marbury Said to Be Near Buyout With Knicks

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February 24

New York Times

"Stephon Marbury’s five-year career with the Knicks appears close to an end. Marbury met at length with team officials on Tuesday, and all indications were that the two sides had reached agreement on a contract buyout that will free him to join another franchise for the stretch run. Neither Marbury’s adviser nor team officials were talking on Tuesday. But a person who was briefed on the discussions said it was “heading toward a settlement.” “That seemed to be the prevailing wind,” said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the sides were not ready to announce the settlement. By gaining his release before March 1, Marbury would be eligible for the N.B.A. playoffs, ..."

Adamek: Time to go, Stephon

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February 24

Bergen Record

"Welcome to this no-A-Rod zone, where the only time that nickname will be invoked will be for Andy Roddick. Who won a tournament Sunday by beating Radek Stepanek - who once dated Martina Hingis and now is supposedly with Nicole Vaidisova, a tempestuous player best described as Maria Sharapova Lite. And if you know Stepanek, cue Joe Jackson: "Is she really going out with him?" But we digress, for this is about turning this space (and the Knicks) into a no-Steph zone, perhaps as soon as today. Stephon Marbury, his players' association representative, Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are to meet today for the first time since Dec. 1 (sans D'Antoni), when Steph stormed out after the Knicks ..."

Notes: Marbury meeting

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February 24

Bergen Record

"Marbury meeting When Stephon Marbury and Donnie Walsh meet face to face today in Manhattan for the first time since Dec. 1, when contract buyout talks ended contentiously, it's officially for an arbitration hearing involving salary Marbury was docked when the Knicks say he refused to play Nov. 26 in Detroit, then was suspended for the next game. But buyout discussions are expected to resume with a playoff-eligibility deadline looming Sunday and a major issue, Walsh admitted, will be where Marbury might play next and its impact on the Knicks. "It's all part of the general picture," the team president said. "[It's] a competitive issue." No such prohibition to keep Marbury from signing with ..."

Steph showdown on tap for today

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February 24

New York Post

"On the eve of his arbitration hearing showdown with Stephon Marbury, Knicks president Donnie Walsh admitted to being wary of putting the banished point guard on the market because he might help out another playoff-bound team. Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni will be in the same room today with Marbury for the first time in nearly three months. The hearing will take place at 11 a.m. at a midtown law firm to dispute the $400,000 fine levied when Marbury allegedly refused to play in Detroit on Thanksgiving Eve. D'Antoni will skip practice to testify against Marbury. "It's not a good situation for anybody," D'Antoni said. "I hate it for everybody, but it's just something we're doing and we'll ..."

Marbury's Grievance Against Knicks Will Be Heard Tuesday

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February 24

New York Times

"Guard Stephon Marbury and Coach Mike D'Antoni will face off in a Manhattan law office Tuesday, when an arbitrator will consider Marbury's grievance against the Knicks. Marbury is trying to recover about $400,000 in salary that was forfeited when the team suspended him in late November for refusing to play a game against Detroit. Marbury acknowledged telling D'Antoni that he did not want to play, but said he did not refuse outright. The Knicks exiled Marbury from the team shortly after the incident. The arbitrator is expected to take 30 to 45 days to issue a decision. The hearing has no direct bearing on the stalled buyout negotiations between Marbury and the team president, Donnie Walsh. ..."