Reading almost everything, posting almost never ;)

But here is an nice article that sums up the Marbury scapegoat problem. Seems like the writer is an regular reader of this board.

http://www.probasketballnews.com/silva_1117.html

Despite rumors, Marbury not Knicks' top concern

By Dennis L. Silva
Nov. 17, 2005

There have only been a mere seven games played, and already Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury has had his name being mentioned in trade rumors. As soon as Larry Brown was announced as New York’s new head coach on July 28, NBA analysts and Knicks loyalists both knew there was a possible conflict.

After all, this was the same Larry Brown who had not seen eye-to-eye with Marbury when the two were trying to lead the USA Basketball team to the Gold (and failed) in Athens, Greece in 2004. All summer, Marbury said all the right things.

“Playing for Larry Brown, it's going to be a great thing," promised Marbury, who spoke at his camp at Basketball City this summer in Manhattan. "He is a great coach. Hands down, he's a flat-out winner. From us having been together, I know the man he is -- he strives for perfection. His style is different but it's easy to adjust to. I know how to play 94 feet. When I get out there, there aren't too many things I can't do. I just can't wait to start playing. And playing for him, it's going to be a plus."

Marbury had even embraced the possibility of playing the shooting guard spot -- which Brown had mentioned before, noting Marbury’s talent as a scorer and shooter.

"Actually, I want to play the 'two,'” Marbury said. “If I play the two, it's going to be scary. It's going to be scary because I can shoot whenever I want to shoot. I think I'll even be more of a playmaker because, instead of nine people watching what I do, I'll be playing behind the defense."

That would have, perhaps, been the most ideal situation. ave Marbury at the two-guard spot, breaking down defenses with his strength and quickness, and using his body to draw contact and get to the free-throw line. And had Brown acquired his old friend Eric Snow (who was the steady point guard on Brown’s former Sixers teams), it would have been the perfect scenario. Unfortunately, having Marbury play off the ball would mean having guard Jamal Crawford (who has a career assist/turnover ration of 2.06) handle the ball more and initiate the offense. That would not have been the perfect ideal for Crawford, who is better suited as a scorer (17.7 points per game last year) and shooter (3.6 field goal attempts per assist).

Therefore, Marbury has stayed at his usual point guard spot, and has received most of the blame or the Knicks’ 2-6 start. However, Marbury has changed his game, focused on defense, and also prioritized his play towards being a true playmaker who makes those around him better.

Marbury is averaging three less field goal attempts per game this season, and has rebounded the better (3.6 rebounds per game) and is shooting his best percentage from the floor (46.7 percent).

So why is Marbury’s name being thrown around like a rag doll in the tabloids?

There’s been the Marbury-for-Steve Francis rumor. There’s been the Marbury-for-Jalen Rose rumor. There have been several others. But the sooner the Knicks realize that Marbury is not their primary concern, the better off they will be.

Marbury is the scapegoat; the most convenient name to blame since he is the point guard and the only player on the Knicks, aside from the little-used Anfernee Hardaway, who has All-Star credentials.

Still, the Knicks choose to ignore the fact that Quentin Richardson is still parking his athletic, 6-foot-8 frame outside the three-point arc -- as 46 percent of his shot attempts are three-pointers. The Knicks also choose to downplay the fact Eddy Curry has trouble defending without reaching or holding, hence his 3.7 fouls and paltry 25.6 minutes per game.

Ignore the fact that Marbury receives no backcourt scoring help, as Crawford manages only 12.4 points per game, and the next closest “offensive threat” in the backcourt is rookie guard Nate Robinson’s 4.4 point per game output. Or that no one else outside of Marbury averages more than 2.9 assists per game.

Or maybe the Knicks just don’t want to accept the fact center Jerome James and his laughable contract is their biggest blunder in years. Instead, they just blame it on the point guard who has tried to change his game and accommodate his coach in order to try and turn around a franchise he grew up adoring. Instead, they just blame a point guard who you are certain has no selfish intentions because he grew up idolizing those who wore the Blue and Orange.

The Knicks have bigger problems that Marbury. They have to find a way to get Crawford and his ill-advised shot selection out of New York. It would help if he could run 10-15 minutes per night at the point guard spot, but when you have as itchy of a trigger finger as Crawford does, there’s just no point -- no pun intended.

The Knicks also have to find a way to get some height and length off their bench. Malik Rose and Maurice Taylor just aren’t cutting it, especially when rookie David Lee is showing more heart and hustle and is the epitome of a Larry Brown type of player. And for goodness sakes, someone either guide Jerome James to a treadmill or find some naive GM to take his contract and weight off the Knicks hands. (Rob Babcock, I know you’re reading this).

Right now, the Knicks’ roster needs a legitimate backup point guard and a legitimate frontcourt presence. To get rid of one of their two solid foundations for a player or players who you just know won’t equal Marbury's productivity would be pointless -- and just another ploy to distract media and fans from the mess that has been assembled to this point.

Think he got some good points in this article. Please forget about Eric Snow, Isiah find a way to get us Earl Watson. He doesnt even play for the Nuggets but would be what we need to get Steph to the 2! I think the Nuggets could see Craw as an Upgrade about Lenard, maybe im wrong, but the thought about an way to get Watson and Najera for Craw plus young guy (dont know who to insert here...) is a nice one ;)

Nevertheless, be patient with this young team. We wont get any title the next years, but at least we HAVE a future with those guys. Tweak something here or there (pg,sf), but for gods sake, no more big trades!

EDIT: Quentin instead of Craw anyone?

[Edited by - nyk82034 on 11-17-2005 4:53 PM]