Welcome, Mr. Marbury
By Donald Christopher

December 19, 2006

Just in case y'all missed it, New York Knicks GM Isiah Thomas brought in Stephon Marbury as his cornerstone towards bringing an NBA championship to The Big Apple. One All-Star point guard reaching out to another. Marbury, in all his valor, arrived as a major piece of the championship puzzle. His arrival signaled the teams' first true superstar since Patrick Ewing's departure in 2000. As a Knick fan, I haven't been this excited since 2002 when Latrell Sprewell returned to Madison Square Garden and gave seated Chairman James Dolan a mouthful in front of the packed-audience. It didn't matter that Sprewell was now a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves when he embarrased the deserving Dolan, his outburst provided thrill and even closure to me as a heartbroken fan.


A buzzer-beater later, has Mr. Marbury finally arrived in New York?
Marbury is officially a New York Knick. Wake up the dogs and call the neighbors. Finally, the young kid from Coney Island has come back to New York. Already a playground legend as a youth and having attended Abraham Lincoln HS in Brooklyn, the explosive and incredibly-gifted veteran player had always dreamed of one day playing for the hometown Knicks. And fans having always dreamed the same. Now, the dream has become a reality. Everyone has waited long enough. Marbury's arrival also signals the return of big-time basketball in the city that never sleeps.

So on behalf of the millions...and millions of success-starved Knick fans, I'd like to welcome you Mr. Marbury to New York. Because you're in search of your first taste of a championship -- and because the Knicks haven't won one since in 33 years -- I thought I would bring you up to speed on some of the issues the organization faces. I would also like to suggest some possible solutions you could implement early in your tenure.

Of course you've heard the rumors of you being a "self-absorbed" superstar. Although your career averages of "20 and 8" state otherwise, it's pretty much everywhere how you have been labeled as a "me-first" type of player. We have witnessed you constantly place blame on, and alienate your teammates. Here in New York, we have no problem with giving players a second, or even third chance. Just ask Latrell Sprewell who didn't exactly arrive in a suit of shining armor himself. As long as you're willing to leave it on the court night in and night out, there will be a special place in our hearts for you. In our eyes, any despicable acts done in the past shall remain in the past. Here, you will be given a brand new start unless you decide to revert back to your past ways. If by chance you do, there will be no escape from the constant onslaught you will suffer at the hands of fans and critics alike. Not even in a cave in Afghanistan while sitting with a towel draped over your head.

As fans, we have longed for that one player to come and ressurrect the franchise in the spirit of Ewing. Someone to place the team squarely on his shoulders. You know, like Jason Kidd did with the New Jersey Nets. Mr. Marbury, I imagine you're tired of having your name mentioned and being compared to Kidd but we are basketball fans and that's what basketball fans do -- compare players. Since the Nets are crosstown rivals, you can expect to be constantly pointed out how the both of you differ. But don't worry about that, just as long as it always says New York Knicks above New Jersey Nets in the standings, there will be plenty of fans who will stand up and go to war for you.

Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of pressure that will accompany your arrival, allowing sportswriters to take turns throwing darts at your jersey in the event you fail to live up to the mounted expectations. But that is to be expected, and rightfully so. What does not kill you will only make you stronger so there will be no need to place blame on your teammates when things do not go accordingly. You know, like the "old Marbury" would do. Just as much as everyone loves a hero, no one holds a highly-paid crybaby in such regards. Suck it up. Here in New York, all the worlds a stage and everything you do will be done under the scrutiny of a microscope. And everyone knows how pressure can burst pipes. So whatever you do, never fail to play the game. Never let the game play you.

But that's not enough. Mr. Marbury, we have experienced a few drought years in New York due to a tremendous drop in the talent level so don't expect any Shawn Marions or Amare Stoudemires. It may even take you a few games to remember the names of your teammates. But as the leader and highest paid player on the roster, you should very well expect the teams fortunes and misfortunes to fall squarely upon your shoulders. That's just the way it is. Not even Ewing could change that. If the team succeeds, the city is yours. Fail, and you will be reveled in the same light as Ashlee Simpson following her groundbreaking performance on Saturday Night Live. Of course we realize the level of talent which surrounds you may not be to your liking (ours neither) but never fail to underestimate the power of team chemistry. It goes a long way. Talent withstanding, a players' level of play increases considerably when everything inside of them wants to perform well for the team. Or as Julius Campbell stated in the movie Remember the Titans..."Attitude reflects leadership." You just may want to keep that in mind.

My suggestion: Get your teammates involved, then allow the game to come to you. At this point in your career, your talent will serve your teammates better than you. Everyone knows what you are capable of doing, but let's see what you are capable of getting your teammates to do. Not saying you are self-centered, but any professional basketball player writing "All Alone 33" on your sneakers doesn't exactly speak of team unity. There is strength in numbers and nothing is more exaggerated than a rebel without a cause. Simply put, lose the ego. Secondly, I encourage you to address some serious concerns that some among the league have with your perceived selfishness. We understand how the news can sometimes be "shaped" instead of reported, but even you have to admit how your previous teams have gotten better after your departure. Certainly your career averages are very impressive, resulting in your being considered as one of the better point guards in the league but at this point in your career, individual goals must now take a backseat to team-oriented goals. It has to be accepted that you are only as good as your team and vice versa.

I've noticed, Mr. Marbury, that during your tenure in other NBA cities, the critics have questioned your ability to properly lead a team while even having referred to you as a very harmful growth. While there remains no cure for cancer, I was thinking that maybe you could make a conscious effort to at least think before you speak. Not saying that you are not the sharpest tool in the shed, but you have to admit it was funny when you referred to your alma mater as "Georgia Tech University." It kinda made everyone wonder if you ever attended class. It is essential that you exercise the thinking process before answering questions because New York sportswriters prey ruthlessly on your every word. Whether or not your words "were written out of context" is besides the point. For instance, just don't say something stupid like..."I am the best point guard in the league" while your team is playing for the lottery. That would make you look bad and you may never hear the end of it.

In an effort to clean up your image, maybe you could donate a large amount of money to those in great need. You know, how a more caring side. Perhaps even do something that proves you would rather give than receive -- such as introduce affordable gym shoes to the underprivileged or something of that nature. Anthing that will allow people to look up to you and show a more giving side of yourself.

And one final suggestion -- and this is the most important one: Do not be afraid of change. Do not be afraid to become a winner.

Once again, welcome Mr. Marbury!

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