Monday, December 1, 2008

Defending Marbury



I am a sports fanatic. If it's a sport, i'll watch it. My father blessed me with the love of all games. My son and I always talk about what's going on in the sports world. He's on his school basketball team. He's a college freshman and doesn't get much playing time right now, but he's patient and realizes he has to pay his dues.

The Yankees are my favorite sports team of all time. They haven't been that stellar lately, but they're the Yankees. I love them no matter what and know that things will turn around. I am, however, kind of pissed off about the new stadium because I know it will make it harder for families to go to games. The prices are going through the roof at a time when people's pockets are being negatively affected by
the economy.




Watching the New York Giants breeze through the playoffs and over the annointed ones in the Super Bowl was one of the most beautiful things i've ever witnessed. New Yorkers were so happy. We all walked around with permanent smiles on our faces for at least a week and took off work to attend the ticker tape parade. They're getting busy this season (11-1 baby) and Eli has become a man. It must feel good to no longer be in his brother's shadow. Yes, Plaxico is a problem child, but hopefully he'll get it together one of these days. I'm hoping he has not ended his football career with constant stupidity and bad decisions.




I haven't been a Knick fan for a while. They haven't been that exciting, tough as nails team I loved in a long time. I can't remember the last time I even bothered to watch a Knick game. I can't handle the disappointment. This team is so not New York. There's no way I could get down with them.




Stephon Marbury has been around for a while. He's taken his Brooklyn swagger all around the NBA and eventually got his wish and ended up playing at home. Most people don't understand the BK swag. Marbury was cast as a problem because of it. I wasn't a fan of his, but still thought he could bring something to the Knicks.

Marbury gained my respect when he came out with is Starbury line of affordable clothing and sneakers. As a parent I really appreciated the effort. It's hard to keep your kids looking fresh in the Jordan age of $200 sneakers. Marbury's efforts did not go unnoticed. I thought he did a great thing.

Fast forward to present day. The Isaih Thomas drama finally left the building, and not a moment too soon. Donnie Walsh stepped in and hired Mike D'Antoni as head coach. D'Antoni pushed Marbury to the side as soon as he arrived. I understand that Marbury has had his moments, but immeidate disrespect wasn't necessary. D'Antoni said he was focusing on the future and Marbury wasn't part of the plan. He sat on the bench and watched the team play. It surprised me that none od his teammates had anything to say.

So, now the Knicks need help because of injury and people are pissed off, including the aforementioned silent teammates, because Marbury is not playing. They say he refused to play, he says he didn't. There are always two sides to every story. If I was Marbury, I might sit on the bench and continue to collect my digits too. At the end of the day he's a man and disrespect is not something men take lightly. How can you sit him on the bench and basically ignore him and then turn around and want to use him because it suits your needs?

I know a lot of people say Stephon got what he deserved but i'll defend him. Yes, he's had his problems and caused some as well but he's a good guy. At least he's trying to do things to affect the communities he came from and those like it. At least he's not out at clubs shooting himself. I hope he finds a place to play and has learned to act in a manner that will make people want to play with and coach him.

I love my New York sports teams, even when they frustrate me to no end.

4 comments:

Keith said...

You know that I know how you feel..
Stephon is kind of like Allen Iverson was when he was here...The management and the coaches just don't know what to do with him..Maybe New York should trade him for a star of equal value..He might benefit from a change of scenery and they might the guard they need.

Strongblkwmn said...

I saw on the news last night that they're trying to come to some sort of deal that will allow him to leave. I know he really wanted to play at home. Plaxico shot himself in a club and his teammates are still supporting him, at least publicly.

Keith - Good comparison. I love AI too. I hope he gets a ring before he leaves the league, but I don't see how that's going to happen.

Fitness Diva -I know what you mean about Isiah. He has a problem with women because he has a problem with himself. He needs to be honest with who he is then he won't be so angry.

SLC said...

Hey SBW.

I love it when you post about things that remind me of home, like my beloved Yankees. I have a huge problem with the black white issue in sports. It's too close to slavery. The white coach played him during the pre-season then said you're not in our future plans once the season began. All the other playaz were silent about his treatment until they were short handed. He was supposed to let them use him until the trades went through and then go back to being ignored. Richardson should have said something when they benched him. Since he chose to be silent against his owners, he should stay silent against Marbury.

Strongblkwmn said...

You are so right SLC. I agree with everything you said.

Glad to know you're a Yankee fan.