Last season, I pointed out that the reason for the lack of leadership with the Knicks was because Lenny or Isiah failed to realize that promoting Marburry to Captain was important. I took a lot of abuse for voicing that view, because the Houston loyalists couldn't see the reason behind my suggestion. Please read below.....

Trust me folks, I know a thing or two about leadership. 9 of my good years in the Army did teach me a lot.





Wilkens confirmed the meeting but said he was considering naming Marbury captain before the Nov. 3 season opener anyway.

"It wasn't like I didn't expect it," Wilkens told The Post. "It was something I had in mind and thought about this summer. That he's at a point in his career where he's maturing. He needs to step up and be a part of running this show. I felt it's be great to have him as captain. He's going to be more vocal [than Allan]. We already know that."

Marbury believed he needed the title to feel more comfortable in leading the troops. Knicks president Isiah Thomas felt Marbury wasn't able to instill his full "personality" on the group last season since he joined in midseason. Marbury follows in the footsteps of Willis Reed, Earl Monroe and Patrick Ewing.

"To be the captain on this team, and growing up in New York and all the things I've experienced, to be captain, it's kind of everything is conforming into my dreams and that's winning a championship here," Marbury said. "And these are basically all the steps that have been taken to reach that goal."



With the Nets, Marbury was criticized for rubbing some mates the wrong way, with oncourt tongue-lashings. Marbury is not afraid to get into somebody's face but he feels it's better perceived when the club wins.

"When you win, people look at you totally different," Marbury said. "When you lose, people don't value you in the same way. If we're winning and I'm screaming telling somebody what to do, then, 'oh, he's great leader.' If you're losing, it doesn't look as good."

I'm sorry but I don not see how Marbury is a leader.

then again, neither is Houston

Posted by gunsnewing:

I'm sorry but I don not see how Marbury is a leader.

What about him do u see that does not make him a leader?

Posted by diderotn:

I disagree with some of what you have said. To become the leader, you have to be given the full raign. In some instences, if there is
no leadership present one can walk in and assumes leadership, but that wasn't the case when Marburry arrived. Houston, although he was hurt, but he was still the captain, they even had Kurt as Co-captain. It is very hard to come in and kick everyone aside and assume that position. I lead plenty of troops through combat, I know a thing or two about this.

The second Marbury was brought in, he became the leader on this team. There is no need to specifically appoint Marbury as the team leader. Marbury has a stronger presence on the court and in the locker room. He is the "leader" of the New York Knicks until someone with a stronger character and more experience is introduced.

You offer a pretty unique take on this. I'd love to hear what you observe in Marbury that makes you think he'd be a good leader. And what do you see that gives you pause or concern? Also, how much of a factor is it that he plays point guard, often a position referred to as the "floor leader?"

Posted by diderotn:

To become the leader, you have to be given the full raign. In some instences, if there is no leadership present one can walk in and assumes leadership, but that wasn't the case when Marburry arrived. Houston, although he was hurt, but he was still the captain, they even had Kurt as Co-captain.

You might be right. I dont know much about this subject so I cannot argue but I always thought that someone with a strong presence can take over from a weak leader.

Whether Marbury is a good leader today or not, we made our bet on him when we traded so much to get him. We need him to become a great leader if this team is to succeed. So it only makes sense to groom him for what we need him to be. We need him to lift up guys like Sweetney, Craw and Ariza, while making sure the guys w/ more experience like TT, Nazr, Houston and KT don't get lost in the shuffle. Marbury clearly wants this role. I don't think IT or Lenny understimates its importance. They'll help him succeed in it.

Im glad Isiah waited until now to make Marbury co-captain.Not because Im a "Houston loyalist" far from it but because Stephon came in during the season and didnt do anything during the playoffs to distinguish himself as a leader.Im glad that Isiah didnt strip Houston of his captaincy in favor of Marbury even though Allan's starting days are probably over.

I agree with the posters that say that he needs to grow into a leader,and about the olympics being a good learning experience.

With a few exceptions this team seems to be alot closer than they were a year ago at this time.Ideal for Marbury to cement his role as team leader but he also has to prove on the court that he deserves it.Im confident that he can this season.

Lenny took his time to evaluate his roster, and I now agree with his decision. However, last season we could have won a lot more games if and when Houston was injured Marb was immediatly promoted to that spot. Anderson and Marb didn't see eye 2 eye, and for sure he would have ensured that Lenny knew about it.

Posted by Kwazimodal:

Im glad Isiah waited until now to make Marbury co-captain.Not because Im a "Houston loyalist" far from it but because Stephon came in during the season and didnt do anything during the playoffs to distinguish himself as a leader.Im glad that Isiah didnt strip Houston of his captaincy in favor of Marbury even though Allan's starting days are probably over.

I agree with the posters that say that he needs to grow into a leader,and about the olympics being a good learning experience.

With a few exceptions this team seems to be alot closer than they were a year ago at this time.Ideal for Marbury to cement his role as team leader but he also has to prove on the court that he deserves it.Im confident that he can this season.

This is exactly what I expected...Marbs and Houston as co-captains. But I am also glad Marbs wasn't named co captain last season. He wasn't with us long enough or do anything spectacular in the playoffs to instantly make him a captain. I definately would have objected to naming him captain just to make him feel comfortable. It has to be earned, just like for everyone else.

Ok, so now he has the label, it's time for him to go out and show it was the right call.