Stephon Marbury: Difference between revisions

{{shortShort description|American basketball player (born 1977)}}

| birth_place = [[New York City]]|New York City, New York]], U.S.

Marbury has often gone by the nickname "Starbury", a name created during his youth. Marbury, the sixth of seven children, was born and raised in the [[Coney Island]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]], New York City. He attended elementary school, PS 329.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/stephon-marbury-of-the-new-york-knicks-takes-part-in-a-read-news-photo/52435630|title=NBA Read To Achieve|website=gettyimages.com|date=March 17, 2005 |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> During his teenage years, he starred at NYC powerhouse [[Abraham Lincoln High School (Brooklyn)|Abraham Lincoln High School]],<ref>Corcoran, Tully. [http://www.cjonline.com/stories/102607/haw_212251538.shtml "KU attracts Brooklyn star"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302201448/http://cjonline.com/stories/102607/haw_212251538.shtml |date=March 2, 2016 }}, ''[[The Topeka Capital-Journal]]'', October 26, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2009. "Lincoln High School in [[Brooklyn]], N.Y., is to high school basketball what [[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]] [[Permian High School]], in Texas, is to high school football. Basketball rules there. Stephon Marbury starred there. Marv Albert went there. Even Jesus Shuttlesworth, the fictional baller played by Ray Allen in ''[[He Got Game|He's^sic Got Game]]'' went there.</ref> After his senior year Marbury was named [[New York Mr. Basketball Award|New York State Mr. Basketball]], after averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 assists and 3 steals per game.<ref>{{Cite news|title=HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-USA HONORABLE MENTIONS|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=April 21, 1995|page=11C}}</ref> He was often heralded as the next great NYC point guard, expected to follow the success of NBA stand-outs [[Mark Jackson (basketball)|Mark Jackson]] and [[Kenny Anderson (basketball)|Kenny Anderson]].

At [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball|Georgia Tech]], Marbury took over the starting point guard role left vacant with [[Travis Best]]'s departure.<ref>{{cite news|first=Simit|last=Shah|url=http://technique.library.gatech.edu/issues/fall1995/nov10/sports3-s.html|title=Marbury latest member of Tech point guard tradition|work=[[The Technique]]|date=November 10, 1995|access-date = May 22, 2007|archive-date=December 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205103810/http://technique.library.gatech.edu/issues/fall1995/nov10/sports3-s.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Teaming with future NBA players [[Matt Harpring]] and [[Drew Barry]], Marbury led Georgia Tech to a 24–12 record en route to the Regional Semi-final game of the NCAA tournament, where the Yellow Jackets lost to Cincinnati 87–70. For the season, Marbury averaged 18.9 ppg and 4.5 assists and was named a Third Team All American by the [[Associated Press]], along with several conference honors. Following the season he declared himself eligible for the [[1996 NBA draft]].

He was selected fourth overall by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in the [[1996 NBA draft]], then traded to the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] for the draft rights to [[Ray Allen]] (who was drafted immediately after him) and a [[DannyRasho FortsonNesterović|future first-round pick]]. In his first season in the league, Marbury averaged 15.8 points and 7.8 assists per game and was named to the 1997 All-Rookie Team. He and second-year player [[Kevin Garnett]] led the Timberwolves to the [[NBA playoffs]] in 1997 and 1998. During the [[1997 NBA Playoffs]], Marbury led Minnesota in scoring with 28 points during a first round Game 1 loss to the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704240HOU.html 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves]</ref>

During the lockout-shortened [[1998–99 NBA season|1999 season]], Marbury's agent, David Falk, demanded a trade. Marbury said he wanted to be closer to his family and friends. Other reports said he wanted to go to a market that would provide more endorsement opportunities, while others suggested that Marbury genuinely disliked Minnesota and was jealous of Kevin Garnett's new contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ_ChTYTHU4| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421155344/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ_ChTYTHU4&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2013-04-21 | url-status=dead|title=SportsCentury – Kevin Garnett|via=YouTube|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=January 31, 2014}}</ref><ref>Jackie MacMullan. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20140203152603/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1015392/index.htm The NBA]".''Sports Illustrated''. March 22, 1999.</ref> Marbury was ultimately traded to the [[New Jersey Nets]], alongside [[Bill Curley]] and [[Chris Carr (basketball)|Chris Carr]] of the Timberwolves and [[Elliot Perry]] of the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-way trade inwhere whichthe Timberwolves acquired [[Terrell Brandon]], was[[Brian sentEvans from(basketball)|Brian MilwaukeeEvans]] and todraft Minnesotaconsiderations and the Bucks acquired [[Sam Cassell]] wasand sent[[Chris from New Jersey to MilwaukeeGatling]].

Marbury was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with [[Johnny Newman]] and [[Soumaila Samake]] in the 2001 offseason for [[Jason Kidd]] and [[Chris Dudley]]. On November 30, 2002, Marbury scored a season-high 43 points, including 26 in the 4th quarter, to lead the Suns to a 94–87 win over the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230402170826/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/221129021 Marbury scores 26 of his 43 in fourth quarter]</ref> As a Sun, Marbury made his [[2003 NBA All-Star Game|second All-Star team]] and the All-NBA 3rd team in 2003. Teamed with Rookie of the Year [[Amar'e Stoudemire]] and All-Star [[Shawn Marion]], the trio took the team to the playoffs, but the Suns were ousted by the Spurs in the first round.

The public feud between Marbury and Brown was one of the reasons Larry Brown was fired at the end of the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06 season]].<ref>{{cite news | url = httphttps://sportswww.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2496106 | title = Knicks fire Brown, name Thomas new coach | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = June 23, 2006 | access-date = July 5, 2007}}</ref> [[Isiah Thomas]] took over the coaching role and the Knicks were slightly more successful during the 2006–2007 season, surpassing the previous year's 23 wins, 54 games into their 82-game season, before falling off and finishing with only 33.

In September 2007, Marbury testified at the trial of a sexual harassment lawsuit that had been filed against the Knicks and Isiah Thomas. At the trial, Marbury testified that he and a Knicks intern had "got[ten] together" in his car outside a strip club in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Knicks' Marbury admits luring woman into car in sexual harassment testimony|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-marbury-admits-luring-woman-car-sexual-harassment-testimony-article-1.247206|last=WRITERS|first=THOMAS ZAMBITO, CORKY SIEMASZKODAILY NEWS STAFF|website=nydailynews.com|date=September 12, 2007 |access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref>

The start of the [[2007–08 NBA season|2007–08 season]] found the Knicks again floundering and Marbury again involved in a public feud, this time with Thomas. The pivotal incident involved Marbury leaving the team after learning that Thomas planned to remove him from the starting lineup. There were reports that Marbury and Thomas actually came to blows on the team plane, and that Marbury threatened to blackmail Thomas for taking him out of the starting lineup—both in the presence of Knick teammates. Following the incident and Marbury's return to the team in mid-November after one missed game, Knick fans consistently chanted "fire Isiah" at home games and constantly booed virtually all of the Knicks, especially Marbury. The dysfunction and drama were accompanied by 8 straight Knicks losses, and several newspapers reported that Isiah's job was in jeopardy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/sports/basketball/24rhoden.html |title=Thomas's Knicks Reign Appears Near an End |work=The New York Times |author=William C. Rhoden |date=November 24, 2007 |access-date=October 27, 2008}}</ref> There were also rumors that the Knicks wanted to trade Marbury to another team. However, this proved difficult for the Knicks to accomplish, in view of the two years and approximately $42&nbsp;million remaining under his contract with the Knicks. Following a season-ending ankle surgery in February 2008, which was reportedly deemed unnecessary by the team, but which Marbury elected to undergo regardless, Isiah Thomas hinted that Marbury could have played his final game in a Knicks uniform. However, in April 2008, it was Thomas who was removed from his position; first as president, being replaced by [[Donnie Walsh]],<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/sports/basketball/19knicks.html?ex=1366257600&en=a79f30c4ecc6ff43&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | title = Thomas Won't Coach, but He Stays With Knicks | access-date = April 19, 2008 | work=The New York Times | first=Howard | last=Beck | date=April 19, 2008}}</ref> and then as coach, being replaced by [[Mike D'Antoni]].<ref>{{cite news | url = httphttps://sportswww.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3389987 | title = Sources: D'Antoni accepts offer, chooses Knicks over Bulls | access-date = May 10, 2008}}</ref>

After D'Antoni took over, the Knicks signed [[Chris Duhon]], leading to speculations over Marbury's future in New York. Marbury arrived to training camp, and competed with Duhon for the starting point guard job, which Duhon won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/stephon-marbury-chris-duhon-point-knicks-article-1.300348|title=Marbury & Duhon seem to get point|website=Daily News|date=October 2008 |location=New York|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> When D'Antoni told Marbury that he had an opportunity to play approximately 35 minutes in a game if he wanted to, Marbury, apparently feeling he and the Knicks had gone their own ways, allegedly refused.<ref>{{cite web|url=httphttps://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3719230|title=Marbury differs with D'Antoni on refusal to play|date=November 22, 2008|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> Following that, on December 1, Marbury was banned from attending any Knicks' practices or games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/seven/12162008/sports/knicks/marbury_plans_to_watch_knicks_play_laker_144505.htm |title=MARBURY PLANNED TO WATCH KNICKS PLAY LAKERS - New York Post |access-date=January 18, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321221858/http://www.nypost.com/seven/12162008/sports/knicks/marbury_plans_to_watch_knicks_play_laker_144505.htm |archive-date=March 21, 2009 }}</ref>

In January 2010, it was announced that Marbury had signed with the [[Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons]] of the [[Chinese Basketball Association]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Marbury joins Chinese pro team | url = httphttps://sportswww.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4836023 | agency = Reuters | publisher = ESPN | date = January 18, 2010<!--, 11:28&nbsp;am ET -->| access-date = January 18, 2010}}</ref> In his first game, Marbury, suffering from jet lag, contributed 15 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals in 28 minutes of action.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/chinese_delivery_bbFZ0dErPHMZnF9mOs2SYP|title=Jetlagged Marbury makes first appearance in Asia|work=New York Post|access-date=February 3, 2010 | first=Marc | last=Berman | date=February 2, 2010}}</ref> He averaged 22.9 points, 9.5 assists and 2.6 steals in 15 games, but Shanxi eventually failed to advance to the playoffs. Marbury later participated in the CBA All-Star match between the North and the South teams, contributing 30 points and 10 assists for the North team. He won the MVP title for the All-Star game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/03/21/sports/sports-us-basketball-china-marbury.html|title='Starbury' Lights Up China's All Star Game|website=The New York Times|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> In July 2010, Marbury agreed to a three-year deal to remain with the Brave Dragons.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2010/08/04/marbury-lauds-taiyuan-nothing-but-love/ | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=Marbury Lauds Taiyuan: 'Nothing But Love' | date=August 4, 2010}}</ref> However, he left the team in December 2010

In December 2010 Marbury joined the [[Foshan Dralions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5goorWxE372hSbK1X8z3SWSHHXJlw?docId=CNG.8f87b22ed229ce8a572883bc0e564dac.941|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212195908/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5goorWxE372hSbK1X8z3SWSHHXJlw?docId=CNG.8f87b22ed229ce8a572883bc0e564dac.941|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2010|title=Ex-NBA player Marbury switches teams in China.|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> Like the previous season, Marbury played in the starting five of the 2011 CBA All-Star match, but his team failed to make the playoffs.

During the [[2011–12 CBA season|2011–2012 season]], the [[Beijing Ducks]], led by Stephon Marbury, started out the season with a 13–0 record. Like the previous two seasons, Marbury played in the starting five for the 2012 CBA All-Star match, but unlike the previous two years, his team made the playoffs. Averaging 45 points per game during the Shanxi series, Marbury led Beijing to their first ever [[2012 CBA Playoffs|CBA Finals]] match-up against the 7-time champion [[Guangdong Southern Tigers]]. Marbury then led his Beijing Ducks Team to the 2011–2012 season CBA championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=httphttps://www.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7756869/stephon-marbury-scores-41-leads-beijing-ducks-first-chinese-league-title|title=Marbury scores 41 as team wins 1st China title|website=go.com|date=March 30, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> Following the team's championship, in May 2012, a statue of Marbury was unveiled on the lawn of the [[MasterCard Center]], the 2008 Olympic basketball arena, in Beijing. [[Dennis Rodman]] spoke at the ceremony.<ref>Sean Newell, [http://deadspin.com/5909908/stephon-marbury-statue-officially-unveiled-in-china-dennis-rodman-gives-dedication-speech "Stephon Marbury Statue Officially Unveiled In China, Dennis Rodman Gives Dedication Speech,"] [[Deadspin]], May 13, 2012.</ref><ref>Ian Begley, [httphttps://www.espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/19570/marbury-gets-statue-in-china "Marbury gets statue in China,"] [[ESPN]], May 14, 2012.</ref>

In the second game of the [[2012–13 CBA season]], Marbury tallied 13 assists in a victory over the [[Jilin Northeast Tigers]]. This was the highest number of assists Marbury had produced in a single game since his tenure with the Ducks began.<ref name="Marbury_13_Assist">[http://sports.163.com/12/1127/23/8HBRL7RS00052UUC.html#p=8HBIT8GU538T0005], Marbury Dishes 13 Assists in Win Over Jilin.</ref> He then scored 32 points in an away game against [[Liaoning Dinosaurs|Liaoning]]. Beijing won that game by 4 points.<ref name="Marbury_Scores_32">[http://cba.sports.163.com/schedule/report_2012017.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203050059/http://cba.sports.163.com/schedule/report_2012017.html |date=December 3, 2012 }}, Ducks Survive Dinosaur Scare. Retrieved December 1, 2012.</ref> He was named the [[CBA Foreign MVP]] for the season.

On March 30, 2014, Marbury won a second CBA championship with the Beijing Ducks. On March 22, 2015, he won his third CBA championship with his team, as well as his first official [[CBA Finals MVP]] award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbachina.sports.sohu.com/20150322/n410141891.shtml|title=Beijing beat Liaoning to win CBA championship|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921234451/http://cbachina.sports.sohu.com/20150322/n410141891.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 24, 2017, the Ducks officially parted ways with Marbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/stephon-marbury-parting-ways-beijing-235514519.html|title=Stephon Marbury is parting ways with Beijing Ducks after three titles|publisher=Yahoo!|date=April 24, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On June 24, 2019, Marbury was named head coach of the [[Beijing Royal Fighters]] of the [[Chinese Basketball Association]] (CBA).<ref>{{cite webmagazine |last1=Shapiro |first1=Michael |title=Stephon Marbury Named Head Coach of CBA's Beijing Royal Fighters |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/06/24/stephon-marbury-beijing-royal-fighters-head-coach |websitemagazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=July 16, 2019 |date=June 24, 2019}}</ref> He helped turn around the team's performance.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Li |first=David Daokui |title=China's World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict |date=2024 |publisher=[[W. W. Norton & Company]] |isbn=978-0393292398 |location=New York, NY |pages=246 |author-link=David Daokui Li}}</ref>

Stephon's father Don died on December 2, 2007, during a game between the Knicks and the [[Phoenix Suns]].<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2007-12-03-suns-knicks_N.htm Suns stifle Knicks behind Hill; Marbury's father dies], December 2, 2007</ref>

Stephon and his wife Latasha married on September 14, 2002. They divorced in 2023. He has three children: Xaviera, Stephon II, and Stephanie.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/stephon_marbury/printable_player_files.html Stephon Marbury bio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108212201/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/stephon_marbury/printable_player_files.html |date=November 8, 2012 }}. National Basketball Association. Retrieved October 29, 2009.</ref>

The line of shoes he endorsed sold for $14.98, far less than many other shoe lines.<ref name=shoes>{{cite news | url = httphttps://sportswww.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2551942 | title = 'Starbury' for less: Marbury to endorse cheap kicks | agency = Associated Press | date = August 16, 2006 | access-date = July 5, 2007}}</ref> The reason for doing so, he stated at the time, was to provide kids a way to get fashionable basketball shoes for a reasonable price, and avoid the problem of having expensive shoes that are the target of theft.

Shortly after Steve & Barry's closed, Marbury opened Starbury.com to sell his shoes and an expanded product line through a partnership with Amazon.com.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/knick_new_drive_to_net_QdeKYTdqZkFlE5teZLoteI | work=New York Post | first1=Richard | last1=Wilner | first2=Marc | last2=Berman | title=KNICK&apos;'S NEW DRIVE TO &apos;'NET | date=January 28, 2009}}</ref> Starbury has also announced plans to open dozens of stores and a distributorship in China.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703435104575421191743179492?KEYWORDS=starbury#articleTabs%3Darticle | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Loretta | last=Chao | title=Marbury Courts Hoops Fans in China | date=August 11, 2010}}</ref>

In July 2009, Marbury began a live-streaming broadcast, a format not yet commonplace,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2009/07/29/stephon-marbury-web-show/|title=Stephon Marbury Web Show: The Dark Side of Live Streaming|first=Ben|last=Parr|website=mashable.com|date=July 30, 2009|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> for 24 hours,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/07/stephon-marbury-streaming-internet-meltdown-ustream.html|title=Stephon Marbury streams 24-hour meltdown live on the Internet|date=July 27, 2009|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> where he answered questions from fans, openly wept, and ate vaseline to soothe a sore throat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a6143/stephon-marbury-streaming-video-072409/|title=Stephon Marbury on UStream.com: 24 Hours of Performance-Art Therapy|date=July 24, 2009|website=Esquire|access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> He would later admit that he was depressed and suicidal at the time.<ref>{{cite webmagazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/01/17/stephon-marbury-sucidial-depressed-hbo-sports-china-knicks|title=Stephon Marbury admits he was depressed, suicidal at time of Vaseline video|websitemagazine=Sports Illustrated|date=January 17, 2015 |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>

* [http://www.starbury.com/ Starbury Official Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917140251/http://www.starbury.com/ |date=September 17, 2020 }}

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