The Only Fan Who Got Paid
December 17th, 2008 at 10:44 amBy Chris
Talk about ballsy — well, that and supreme arrogance. With Stephon Marbury attending the Lakers/Knicks game in Los Angeles last night — as a spectator, a few things come to mind: First, this has to be one of the only times an NBA “fan” was paid a portion of $21 million to sit and watch his team, a team that wants absolutely nothing to do with him. They don’t want to trade him, they don’t want to release him. Oh, they tried the buyout, but there’s no way on heaven or earth Starbury is giving any of his contract back to the Knicks.
Nor should he.
Nevertheless, what he did last night took huge, brass balls because he’s essentially saying to Knicks management:
“There’s not a damn thing you can do to stop me from being a distraction. A smart basketball operations team would’ve traded or released me by now. You guys are dumb and I’m going to play your game, but it will be done my way.”
Or something like that. Starbury was interviewed during halftime and he essentially said the same thing I just typed. He wants out; he misses basketball; there are teams interested in his services; oh and, “I’m earning my check doing nothing.”
No shit, Steph?
While the situation has become comical — quite, actually — the selfishness of the player in question should not be forgotten. Is it his fault the stupid Isiah Thomas regime gave him all that money? Absolutely not. Is it his fault Mike D’Antoni doesn’t want him around? Perhaps, but when Marbury is asked to play and refuses to do so, he’s made it clear this is no longer about getting his $21 million.
It’s about him being playing the victim’s role here, even though there aren’t many victims that get paid 21 million dollars for not doing a damn thing.
In case you are interested, the Lakers beat the Knicks in comeback fashion, helping Phil Jackson avoid the loss of his job had the Knicks won.
