Spring Break
Marbury a joke?
Terry Horstman
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Sports
I'd like to send out my heartfelt thanks to Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics for only reinforcing my belief that the NBA is the dumbest, and above all, most gimmickyprofessional sports organization in the country-if not the world.
Disagree? Okay, well try to explain to me the Stephon Marbury situation in any way, shape or form that defends the integrity of the NBA. If this situation doesn't make you as sick as it does me, then it's time for a history lesson.
In the 1996 NBA draft, "Starbury" was drafted with the fourth overall pick and traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. There, Marbury teamed up with second year big man Kevin Garnett and took one of the most struggling franchises in the game to the playoffs in their first season together.
In 1997, the young duo proved that their initial success was no fluke. Minnesota returned to the playoffs and took the heavily favored Seattle Supersonics to the final shot of the final game in the best-of-five series. Things were looking up as two of the brightest young stars in the league and the Timberwolves could see countless championships in their crystal ball.
To ensure the success and longevity of the team, General Manager Ryan Fortson made Garnett the highest paid player in the NBA in an effort to keep him and Marbury together with the T-Wolves for their entire career. However, things spiraled out of control rather quickly.
When it came time to negotiate Marbury's long-term deal, it was apparent he would be paid handsomely, very handsomely. When the small fortune of an offer was on the table, Marbury was insulted and refused to play for a penny less than what Garnett was making. But you can't blame him, I mean, would you play the game you love for anything less than $126 million?
All of a sudden, Marbury hated everything about the position he was in and demanded a trade back to his hometown. I've heard of players asking for trades, but to demand one to a specific location while breaking up one of the most prolific young duos to ever play together? That's a new one to me. I would pay $126 million to be a part of what Marbury was and in one selfish act he threw it all away.
Disagree? Okay, well try to explain to me the Stephon Marbury situation in any way, shape or form that defends the integrity of the NBA. If this situation doesn't make you as sick as it does me, then it's time for a history lesson.
In the 1996 NBA draft, "Starbury" was drafted with the fourth overall pick and traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. There, Marbury teamed up with second year big man Kevin Garnett and took one of the most struggling franchises in the game to the playoffs in their first season together.
In 1997, the young duo proved that their initial success was no fluke. Minnesota returned to the playoffs and took the heavily favored Seattle Supersonics to the final shot of the final game in the best-of-five series. Things were looking up as two of the brightest young stars in the league and the Timberwolves could see countless championships in their crystal ball.
To ensure the success and longevity of the team, General Manager Ryan Fortson made Garnett the highest paid player in the NBA in an effort to keep him and Marbury together with the T-Wolves for their entire career. However, things spiraled out of control rather quickly.
When it came time to negotiate Marbury's long-term deal, it was apparent he would be paid handsomely, very handsomely. When the small fortune of an offer was on the table, Marbury was insulted and refused to play for a penny less than what Garnett was making. But you can't blame him, I mean, would you play the game you love for anything less than $126 million?
All of a sudden, Marbury hated everything about the position he was in and demanded a trade back to his hometown. I've heard of players asking for trades, but to demand one to a specific location while breaking up one of the most prolific young duos to ever play together? That's a new one to me. I would pay $126 million to be a part of what Marbury was and in one selfish act he threw it all away.
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