Knicks Should Pay Marbury What They Owe Him
Tuesday reports started to filter out of New York that the New York Knicks were going to waive veteran point guard Stephon Marbury by the end of the week. The reports were that after the Knicks waived Marbury they would work out a settlement on the $21.9 million that he is owed for the upcoming season. Wednesday the “New York Post” reported that New York could waive him if they choose to, but Starbury will not entertain any ideas of a settlement.
Marbury reportedly is in the best shape of his career and weighs less than 200 pounds. He dedicated his Summer to getting back into shape after a disastrous season ended for him in April. The veteran was injured for most of the year, and lost his father, who he was extremely close to. Plus the team was playing with a cloud over it’s head, as it was being booed at home by its fans and ripped apart daily in the New York Tabloids. Former Team President and head coach Isiah Thomas was easily the most unpopular man in New York City. Marbury was not very far down the list.
Marbury told reporters Tuesday “There wouldn’t be no negotiation. They’re going to give me all my money. If they want to waive me and give me all my money, fine. If not, I’ll try to help this organization win the championship. They told me to come to camp in the best shape of my life and I did that. But I don’t want to be in a place I’m not wanted.”
Stephon Marbury is not a warm and cuddly human being. He does not have the natural charisma of a Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. He is not considered a good guy like players such as Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard. Marbury had issues with both of his former coaches in New York, Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas. He is not a media friendly guy. There will not be one reporter in New York that will be sorry to see Starbury leave town. I am certain that he will be ripped apart in the “New York Post” and the “New York Daily News” for his stance during the upcoming days.
All the factors I just mentioned have nothing to do with the bottom line, he is owed $21.9 million. He should be paid $21.9 million, it’s just that simple. The New York Knicks are indebted to Stephon Marbury for that amount, why should he settle for less? He shouldn’t, he won’t, and I for one applaud him.
The Knicks have tried this hardball tactic earlier this year when they fired Thomas. Thomas would not settle on a buyout, so they now have him in limbo. Actually the Knicks did not fire Zeke, he is still employed by the team. He has no defined duties, nobody reports to him, he reports to Walsh. He is barred from contact with the players, but he can talk with his old pal Team Owner James Dolan. Isiah is being punished, and I have a theory as to why, it all comes down to money, namely 18 million dollars.
Last March as Isiah’s contract was up for renewal, Dolan re-signed Thomas to an extension, he is now owed contractually 18 million dollars. The Knicks are hoping eventually that Thomas will grow weary of the inactivity, and arrange a settlement. That remains to be seen.
It is a different story with Marbury, it’s one season. If the Knicks want to be spiteful and have him sit on the bench, he will do it. It will not be a great atmosphere though for new Team President Donnie Walsh, and new head coach Mike D’Antoni to try to turn around the franchise with a player who is a malcontent in the locker room.
I am not an economist by any means. To be honest I’m not great in math, my beautiful bride of almost 25 years was a math major. However isn’t what is going on with the Knicks a microcosm of what this country is going through right now? Rich people making bad decisions with no regard for the ramifications. Sounds like Knicks Team Owner James Dolan, and the “Wall Street Wizards“, wouldn’t you say?
Nobody put a gun to James Dolan’s head as he was making all the bad decisions he has made the last few years. He was the one who sent his team back to the stone age, I have no sympathy for him. Nor do I have any sympathy for Walsh or D’Antoni, they are smart men, they knew what they were walking into. It’s time for guys like James Dolan to live up to the debts he put himself into. Pay Starbury what he is owed, and move forward.
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Former ESPN Radio Reporter Jeff Sack covered the NBA, NFL, and MLB for 11 years in Cleveland - The last eight as Sports Director for Metro Networks.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:24 am
You should know that Marbury is making almost 21 million this year, not the 12 million you kept writing.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Thanks Jeffrey for watching my back! The changes have been made! Thanks again!
Jeff Sack
September 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
You think taking a stand against David Stern is unpopular?? or even controversial? wow…
September 25th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Let’s put it this way, it has not made me Mr. Popular in the NBA Front Office. And Yes I have interviewed Stern many times while Sports Director of Metro Networks in Cleveland.
Thanks for writing!
September 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
let’s try this again. since you refused to post my comment or blogger ate it.
Yes, contracts in the NBA are guaranteed and the Knicks contractually owe him the money. Meaning he essentially gets the money before he performs the duties in return.
Thing is he didn’t EARN the money. He didn’t help the team in any way this season and one can’t assume that he will after what he has done over the previous seasons. So you can see why the Knicks would want to negotiate a buyout. How can you expect money when you haven’t done anything in return?
And blaming Dolan for everything that went wrong is INSANE. He signed him in good faith, not expecting him to sabotage the team. How do you not see this? No one held a gun to Starburys head and forced him to act like a baby. Negotiate a buyout and move forward… stop holding the team hostage.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Blogger must have eaten it because this is the first I am hearing from you my Anonymous friend! I only do not post comments if they contain offensive language. I would never defend Stephon Marbury as a player, he is selfish, and only interested in individual numbers not a team guy. However to say James Dolan is not responsible in my mind is INSANE. Starbury has been this way since coming into the Association with the T-Wolves, he has always had the reputation as a cancer in the clubhouse. Now should James Dolan know this as an Owner? Of course not, it’s the job of the Team President Isiah Thomas, who Dolan hired, and then extended his contract in March of 2007. Who else is to blame? There is an old story that goes back when I was a kid. Paul Brown the legendary coach of the Cleveland Browns was on the bus with the team on a Sunday in another city heading to the stadium. The bus driver got lost, and turned a 15 minute trip into well over an hour. The driver apologized to Brown. Brown responded to the man “I don’t blame you. I blame the man who hired you!” Dolan hired the bus driver Isiah Thomas, in my mind case closed. James Dolan has made the Knicks the laughing stock of the Association. Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni have their work cut out for them. With great power comes great responsibility. Look at the Knicks roster and tell me he used that power wisely! Thanks for writing!
Jeff Sack
September 26th, 2008 at 2:51 am
You can just as easily use Marbury as an example of a rich person making a stupid decision. He appears greedy. Accepting a buyout would do much for his image and potential contracts.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Do you truly believe that Stephon Marbury cares anything at all about his image? As far as contacts, talented point guards are always wanted in the Association. Starbury will find someone to bring him in. And worst case scenario he plays in the Euro-Leagues. Thanks for writing!
Jeff Sack
September 26th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
21 and 12… makes a big difference…
September 26th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
However BookMaker the principle remains the same. If you kill one person, or 20 you are still a murderer, right? Thanks for writing!
Jeff Sack
September 27th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
He doesn’t really fit in that system. Starbury’s a sieve on D, always has been. Thibodeau would hate him.
(nice site, btw. I’m a first time visitor)