Former NBA star Stephon Marbury is doing quite well for himself in China.
Aside from proving he still can play on the court at his age, he recently led the Beijing Ducks to their first-ever Chinese Basketball Association title, in addition earning Marbury’s his first ever pro-career championship.
But if a return to the NBA or the Knicks is in the near future for Marbury, you might want to think again. According to Knicks’ J.R. Smith, Marbury is perfectly fine in China for a few reasons.
Knicks reserve swingman J.R. Smith, who played against Marbury in China during the regular season, said Marbury was “in the best shape I’d seen him in” and felt he would be one of the better point guards in the NBA. But Smith said every conversation he’s had with Marbury indicated the two-time All-Star wants to continue his Chinese career for marketing reasons. Smith said Marbury became “more of a leader” this season in China.
So don’t expect Marbury to return to his former team to help with the Knicks’ depleted point guard corp now that Jeremy Lin is out for the season.
But should he ever decide to return to the NBA, will a team give him a shot remains to be seen.
We all know what he can bring to the court but there are the off the court issues.
In Minnesota, Marbury had an issue with the Timberwolves coaches regarding his role in the offense, and his agent David Falk demanded a trade. While in New York, he feuded with Larry Brown and Mike D’Antoni.
The NBA is full of fantastic, young point guards so he might have to accept a role off the bench unlike his star-role in China.
So will time away from basketball’s highest stage make Marbury change his ways and accept a lessor role?
