Marbury Compares Himself to Jordan

Stephon Marbury cannot stay out of the spotlight. Once again he his making news off the court as he rants about the state of the Knicks, Lebron James’ future, and how he compares his time away from basketball this year to that of Michael Jordan, retiring for a year to build his empire and expand his endorsement deals. The delusional former All Star has made more news off the court rather than on it over the past few months while clowning himself in his live show on Justin.tv where he has gotten into a car accident, cries while listening to Kirk Franklin’s “Lean on Me”, danced like a gay pirate to Michael Jackson, and even ate Vaseline for a sore throat.

This time around, Marbury did an interview for the New York Post in which he attempted to rationalize why he isn’t playing in the NBA this season. Steph claimed that it was he, who decided to take a year off to rest and “be like Michael Jordan and do all of the things he hasn’t been able to do, and build his empire.” He also claimed to have made a prudent business decision, “not to go to Boston for that money,” insinuating that he was worth much more than the 1.3 million that the Celtics had offered him. Talk about a WTF moment. He averaged a mear 4 points and 3 assists while playing only 18 minutes for Boston last season. Granted, he has career averages of 19.3 points and 7.6 assists, but he is now 32 years old and hasn’t come close to sniffing that type of production since his rookie ’04-’05 season in New York…….Hopefully he fired his financial advisor. Last that anyone heard, Boston was the only team offering anything. His empire consists of his “Starbury” line of cheaply priced shoes and clothing, which he recently had to take to selling exclusively online since the Steve and Barry’s Stores, where they were sold, have closed due to bankruptcy. What a better way to advertise the Starbury brand than to be on the court, sporting his shoes, with that large Starbury brand log tatoo on his head…………………That would be a great business decision!

 

Steph then delved into commenting on the current state of his former team, the NY Knicks. Marbury asked out loud,”As a fan, why would I give you my money to watch them?” He also commented after watching a few recent preseason games where the Knicks launched an alarming 72 three point shots and stated that, “The coaching is horrible. What kind of coaching is this? Guys coming down the court, just raising 3 pointers from anywhere! New Yorkers deserve better decisions from the front office!” I guess the native New Yorker wont be getting a call for his services from GM Donnie Walsh anytime soon.

He also chimed in on the possibility of Lebron James coming to the Big Apple once his contract is up next Summer. He commented,”Why would he come to a rebuilding team? It makes no sense. Is this franchise built to win championships or make money?” I actually may have to agree with Steph on this one.

When pondering his future, one has to wonder, what is he thinking? He was forced to sit out this season because virtually no other NBA franchise wanted him. It has been a tough market for players with baggage this offseason. I definitely would rate Marbury a few notches below Allen Iverson, and it took all Summer for the A.I. show to land a gig in Memphis. If he is seriously considering a return to the league, he should have accepted the Boston deal, proving himself, and earning another lucrative free agent deal next Summer. He isn’t ancient in NBA standards, but he would then be 33 years old and will have played only 47 games over the past 3 seasons, if he attempts a comeback in 2010. Then a team would have to weigh his on court production against his ability to be a cancer in the locker room, one which I feel would be a losing proposition to any club. Marbury’s final comments from the interview speak volumes about his state of mind,”A year from now, you don’t know what I’m going to be like. I’m from the gutter. I can go anywhere.”………………………..Don’t count on it Steph!

Check out some youtube footage of Marbury in his prime:

Click Here!

Who Are the NBA’s Best ‘And One’ Players?

 

Which NBA players from last season proved to be the best at stuffing the rock, while getting fouled, in an attempt to convert the ever popular, “And One” play? This is a list of players who are not only the best at drawing a foul, but those who are physically and mentally the strongest to be able to finish with the basketball, have the dunk attempt go in, and step to the charity stripe for an opportunity to put another point on the scoreboard. The requirements to make the list are that a player must have had at least 100 dunks and during the ’08-’09 season. The stats include players who had an “And One” attempt but may or may not have made the accompanying free throw.

Chumps, who’s best offensive move is the finger-roll off of a breakaway, need to step aside, only real players who take it to the rack in traffic make the list. These players either go strong or go home!

 

NBA’s Best “And One” Players(min 100 blocks)

******************# of And One Plays******Dunks***********************

1. Lebron James(CLE)               97                           128
2. Dwight Howard(ORL)            95                           202
3. Dwayne Wade(MIA)              83                           126
4. Shaq O’Neal(PHO)                 67                            180
5. Hilario Nene(DEN)                 54                            142
6. Ameka Okafor(CHA)             49                            135
7. Ronnie Brewer(UTA)            48                             148
8. David Lee(NYK)                    46                             103
9. Kevin Durant(OKC)              44                             114
10. Amare Stoudemire(PHO)     42                             109

Although most of the usual suspects appear on this list like Lebron, Howard, and Shaq, I was surprised to see Ronnie Brewer of the Jazz make the list. He along with Kevin Durant of the Thunder, and Wade, at 6’4, are probably more thought of as perimeter oriented. Additionally, one would also think that Durant has a hard time finishing with his thin, twig like arms against the stronger defenders of the NBA. Some notable players who didn’t make the list with more than 100 dunks were Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala, and Pau Gasol.