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Who got next? Where will Stephon Marbury sign: Miami, Washington, Detroit, San Antonio, or Boston?September 23 08  Prodigal son/point guard is traded to his hometown. Prodigal son/point guard underachieves and the team implodes. Prodigal son/point guard is banished from the team under the auspices of rehabbing an injury. Prodigal son/point guard is bought-out before he can redeem himself. This story should sound familiar. Stephon Marbury is the prodigal son/point guard. New York is the hometown. The Knicks are the team. The only thing missing is the buyout. That comes Friday when the Knicks will reportedly pay ‘Starbury’ 20 million dollars to disappear. A buyout won’t necessarily end his career, though. Another team could take a chance on Marbury because he only costs money –likely a cheap, veteran’s minimum contract. But the market for dysfunctional point guards is almost as bad as the stock market. Just one team has serious interest. Another team –because of injury- will consider his services. Nothing more. The frontrunner … Miami: The Heat believes Coney Island will thrive as the starting point guard. Of course, such optimism is a cover for the club’s true motivation: money. Miami is over the cap and needs cheap veterans (like Marbury) until next summer when several big-ticket contracts expire. There are two twists. First, Marbury and Shawn Marion clashed as running mates in Phoenix, so an east coast sequel could be problematic. Second, Miami has a first year coach in Erik Spoelstra. Can a rookie sideline boss, especially one who never played in the league, handle Marbury? Only because of injuries … Washington: With Gilbert Arenas’ injury, the Wizards will discuss Marbury. The conversation will be short because D.C. has enough strong personalities and talent to manage without ‘The Hibachi’. Bottom line, Washington is far from desperate. Go fish Marbury. Best Case Scenario … (for Marbury) San Antonio and Detroit: Both organizations have stable environments where Marbury could focus on contributing off the bench and resurrecting his personal life. This won’t happen because it’s all risk and little upside for the Spurs and Pistons. No KG reunion … Boston: In 2006-07, there was speculation Garnett and Marbury would reunite in New York or Minnesota. It won’t happen in Boston. Again, too much risk for the world champion Celtics. Where will Marbury end up? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison. |
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