Stephon Marbury's Knicks Tenure

SI Staff | Feb 25, 2009

Stephon Marbury's Knicks Tenure /

Stephon Marbury's Knicks Tenure

Stephon Marbury

In his first major move as Knicks president, Isiah Thomas acquires the Brooklyn-born Marbury from the Suns in an eight-player trade. ''It's definitely a home run hit by Isiah in terms of getting this deal done,'' Knicks coach Don Chaney said.

Stephon Marbury

After the trade, Marbury averages 19.8 points and 9.3 rebounds the rest of the 2003-04 season. The Knicks go 25-22 down the stretch and make the playoffs as the East's No. 7 seed, but they lose to the Nets in a first-round sweep. New York hasn't been back in the postseason since.

Stephon Marbury and Lenny Wilkens

In his first full season in New York, Marbury averages 21.7 points and 8.1 assists while starting all 82 games. Wilkens resigns as coach at midseason and is replaced by Herb Williams, who finishes out the Knicks' 33-49 season.

Stephon Marbury and Jason Kidd

Marbury declares himself "the best point guard in the NBA," even though many consider him to be the second-best point guard in his own market, behind the Nets' Kidd.

Larry Brown and Stephon Marbury

Brown arrives amid high expectations, but he lasts only one season as the Knicks go 23-59 and the Hall of Fame coach feuds with Marbury. Team president Isiah Thomas takes over as coach after Brown's bitter departure.

Stephon Marbury

Marbury launches his Starbury line of sneakers and sportswear, designed as a low-cost alternative to the higher-priced footwear endorsed by other athletes. Every piece of clothing is under $10 and the shoes cost $14.98.

Stephon Marbury

During a bizarre, live television interview with New York sportscaster Bruce Beck, Marbury takes a phone call from his wife (''That's my better half, my better ho, my wife," he said), and dances awkwardly in his chair.

Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury

Marbury temporarily leaves the team after learning that he would be benched. The point guard says of Thomas' decision, "I've got so much [stuff] on Isiah and he knows it. He thinks he can [get] me. But I'll [get] him first. You have no idea what I know."

Isiah Thomas

During the sexual harassment case against Thomas, it is revealed that Marbury, a married father, had sex with a 24-year-old Madison Square Garden intern inside a limousine parked outside a strip club.

Stephon Marbury and Donald Marbury Sr.

Marbury's father, Don (pictured here in 1996), dies of a heart attack after attending the Knicks-Suns game at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 2. Marbury spends most of the month on bereavement leave. He plays only eight games the rest of the season, and undergoes ankle surgery in February 2008.

Stephon Marbury

Marbury shows up to training camp in good shape (and with a head tattoo), but new coach Mike D'Antoni makes offseason pickup Chris Duhon his starting point guard. The Knicks deactivate the two-time All-Star rather than having him available on the bench to play limited minutes.

Stephon Marbury

With trades and injuries having left the Knicks with only seven players, Mike D'Antoni asks Marbury to dress and offers him the opportunity to play. Marbury refuses and the Knicks lose 104-87 to Milwaukee on Nov. 26. The Knicks fine Marbury, later ban him from attending practices and games and, for a while, have no luck negotiating a contract buyout with the player.

Stephon Marbury

Banished by the Knicks, Marbury watches their Dec. 16 game against the Lakers in Los Angeles from the stands and also takes in a Warriors-Timberwolves matchup in Minneapolis on Jan. 2 (pictured). Finally, on Feb. 24, the two sides agree on terms of a buyout, leaving Marbury free to join the defending champion Boston Celtics for the stretch run and playoffs.

Published Feb 25, 2009

SI STAFF