MY theory is that Marbury is simply playing better. His habits haven't changed. When he was pulled from the game at the end of the Washington game he sat on the bench and guess what, he immediately put a towel on his head. But since we were winning by 20 that magically became good boddy language. I think some people see what they want to see. He's playing better right now. He's trying a lot harder to smile but it's impossible for a human being to changehis personality completely in a weeks time. He's still the same guy he was a week ago we just view him differently because the team is winning.

The reality is Steph is having a good stretch and the team is playing better. When we go through a bad stretch again I'm sure we will be talkinga bout his bad body language again.

Posted by Bippity10:

MY theory is that Marbury is simply playing better. His habits haven't changed. When he was pulled from the game at the end of the Washington game he sat on the bench and guess what, he immediately put a towel on his head. But since we were winning by 20 that magically became good boddy language. I think some people see what they want to see. He's playing better right now. He's trying a lot harder to smile but it's impossible for a human being to changehis personality completely in a weeks time. He's still the same guy he was a week ago we just view him differently because the team is winning.

The reality is Steph is having a good stretch and the team is playing better. When we go through a bad stretch again I'm sure we will be talkinga bout his bad body language again.

I don't disagree with this, that it's not easy for a leapard to change his spots and he's really no different a person than he was in orlando and before. That is what gives me my discomfort.

I guess where we differ is that you seem to think the whole body language thing is inconsequential. I don't believe it is. If it were Brown and Isiah would have gone to the lengths they did to confront it.

It's not merely about whether he throws a rag on his head or not- that's just the humorous shorthand to represent it - it's all the blameful glares, the head down with slumped shoulders, the drooped gait off the court on time outs. These give off an air of defeatism that a team simply can't have from it's #1. It's just too distracting and "leads" in the wrong direction.

As a coach I'd think that would be a large concern of yours. If your key player and point can best serve his team as an extension of his coach, do you want your guys representing you with airs of defeatism and surrender to a perceived inevitability.... that not coincidentally often manifests itself as a self-fulfilling prophesy?

Posted by Rich:

I think Steph has reached a comfort level with what Larry wants him to do, which has enabled him to relax and let his natural ability take over, instead of over thinking.

This makes sense. It's one thing to know what to do. It's another to do it without having to think about it. I hope this is where he is with LB's program.

That's the point Blue Seats everyone's demeanor changes when you win. Even the fans, just check out the posts on this website. You have to be able to see through that nonsense to understand what you really have.

The difference is this. When LB and Isiah were going at Marbury you interpreted it as a sign that he was a team cancer that needed to be cut from the team at all costs. I saw it as two winners trying to help Steph up his game to another level. I in no way viewed it negatively. I viewed and still view STeph as a work in progress just like the rest of the team and do not sway based on a few wins or losses. We the fans created helped to create a negative atmosphere(along with the losing and ALL THE PLAYERS) but the fans chose to blame it all on Steph. When we lose again, they will again.

Posted by Bippity10:

That's the point Blue Seats everyone's demeanor changes when you win. Even the fans, just check out the posts on this website. You have to be able to see through that nonsense to understand what you really have.

See, where you and I disagree is that in your mind Steph has NO negative causality on this team, only positive. I think that's overly simplistic and optimistic to think that your franchise guy and floor leader imparts nothing to the team thru his negativism.

The difference is this. When LB and Isiah were going at Marbury you interpreted it as a sign that he was a team cancer that needed to be cut from the team at all costs.

Close, but not exactly. I believe Steph is a carcinogen, but not everyone reacts to one the same. But in no way should one treat him lightly.

I did not interpret Brown's and Isiah's exhortations toward Steph as evidence they felt he had to go immediately, but I did interpret as signs that they thought his persona was having a detrimental effect on the team, and that I personally am fed up with his antics. But you seem to feel otherwise, that the coach and GM were calling Steph out on the same thing at the same time.... for no particular reason, or reasons unrelated to the team. I think that's naive.

I saw it as two winners trying to help Steph up his game to another level. I in no way viewed it negatively. I viewed and still view Steph as a work in progress just like the rest of the team and do not sway based on a few wins or losses. We the fans created helped to create a negative atmosphere(along with the losing and ALL THE PLAYERS) but the fans chose to [i]blame it all on Steph[/b]. When we lose again, they will again.

Still can't give up that little red herring, can ya. As if nobody's ever mention Eddy and Jame's health and conditioning, Browns revolving rotations, Malik and AD in the starting line-up, poor perimeter defense, Crawford's turnovers and inconsistency, Robinson's questionable judgment, Fyre's minutes and defense, Ariza's inconsistencies, et al.

No, all that goes unnoticed when someone wants to talk about Steph's shortcoming, and how his negativity can sour a team. Then it's time to hoist the huge red herring, the great mascot of the Steph apologists.

I wish I were a graphic designer. I'd make tee-shirts for you guys. The front would have a snazzy red herring with a towel over it's head as the logo, maybe against the Garden or a basketball for a background. And on the back it would say "It's everyone else, never Steph". They'd sell great at games. But would you wear them on your backs or your heads?