Bye-Bye Stephon

Photograph of Marbury watching from the bench in November 2008 by Stephen Chernin/AP

It was just over five years ago that Marbury arrived in New York as the centerpiece of Isiah Thomas’ plan to turn New York into a contender. It worked for about half a season as Marbury got the Knicks to the playoffs, where the Nets promptly swept them. Amazingly, that was the best part of his career in New York. Sexual harassment allegations, sulking, suspensions and massive amounts of trouble soon followed.

But now the Stephon Marbury era is over. Marbury and the Knicks have agreed to a buyout of his deal and New York has placed him on waivers. The Daily News reports, "Although neither side would comment on the terms, it is believed that Marbury, who was scheduled to earn $20.9 million in the final year of his contract, agreed to forfeit approximately $2 million in order to gain his freedom. The deal could save the Knicks as much as $4 million with the luxury tax factored in." The two sides had been meeting over a $400,000 fine on Marbury, who allegedly refused to pay. The Post said Marbury, after the meeting at a midtown law firm, was "skipping across the street in glee."

Assuming there are no surprises, Stephon is expected to sign with the Celtics in a couple of days. Before the Celtics plan for a parade they might want to remember that Stephon has never made the second round of the playoffs in his career. Knicks’ fans will certainly hope that streak continues.

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By Peter Trinkle in News on February 25, 2009 8:15 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Marbury can now spend that $20 million on his sneakers so he can pretend he's still a valuable commodity. As a Celtic, lucky Boston will find out what we've known all along: Starbury is almost good enough to ignore.

MaiaW

Good riddance. Don't let the...oh, you don't even deserve a warning.

matthew gannon

In the NBA, teams need to actually make the playoffs before they can think of beating a superior opponent.

theevilone

I hope the plane carrying his sorry @ss out of town crashes and kills him.

Steven

$21 million dollars to play a game!?

spiritross

They should have waited until March 1st

That way he would have been ineligible to play in the postseason.

verbal

As an indicator of how much I despise the Dolans, I hope that Stephon took as much of their cash as possible and goes on to contribute to the filthy boston celtics success.

TimSPC

He's going to sink the Celtics. It's going to be beautiful The best of both worlds: That creep Dolan has to pay him AND he sinks the Celtics. It's a win-win.

jackdonaghy

I agree that's he going to kill the chemistry on the Celts. Let's hope that the Knickerbockers play Boston in the 1st Round.

whitecastlerock

First Steve and Barry's shut down-no more access to the cheap Starbury kicks. Now, Starbury himself is gone! The economic impact this will have on the city's bum population is immeasurable. Dolan, Bloomberg, Steve, Barry for shame!!!

imadick

omg, the state is running a deficit! marbury should give his salary to the state to help out! at least half!

Snoopy

It's really a tragic story.

Jen Chung

$20 million for this season and he gets to sign with the Celtics. I'm glad those Dolans are getting city tax breaks.

jackdonaghy

Marbury is just one of the numerous expensive, crippling mistakes (players, coaches, general managers) made by the Dolans during this decade alone:

Knicks - Alan Houston (very good player but the Knicks bid against themselves); Larry Brown; Isiah Thomas; Eddie Curry; Jerome James; Malik Rose; Steve Francis; Jalen Rose; Howard Eisley; Jared Jeffries; Luc Longley

Rangers - Glen Sather; Darius Kaspiritis; Theo Fleury; Eric Lindros; Pavel Bure; Petr Nedved; Bobby Holik

I won't even bring up the sunk cost of the WBNA's Liberty.

On a brighter note (since I don't like to pile on), at least the Dolan's renovated the Beacon Theater.