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After toiling in NBA obscurity (aka Phoenix) for two-and-a-half seasons,
Stephon Marbury's dream finally came true. The man some believe to be the
greatest point guard New York has ever produced finally gets to play for his
hometown Knicks, and
 wow
a crowd that recognizes his greatness. The sparkle that's been missing in
Madison Square Garden since Patrick Ewing left has finally returned, and he goes
by the name of Starbury. After stumbling in his first three contests with New
York Steph is back, and just in time to spark the Knicks for a playoff run.
The trade of Marbury, from Phoenix to New York, back on January 5th sent shockwaves around the NBA -- especially the Eastern Conference. Annually considered one of the elite point guards in the league, Steph is one of only two players in NBA history to average over 20 points and 8 assists for his career (Oscar Robertson). The acquisition instantly boosted the Knicks from a lottery team to playoff contender in the shallow pool of the East. But this was no smooth transition.
In his opening contest Marbury struggled to gel with his new team, scoring just eight points in a 106-97 loss at lowly Cleveland. While never practicing with the Knicks before the game, Marbury still managed to record eight assists while taking only nine shots from the floor. Game two with his New York squad only got worse. In his first effort wearing the home whites at MSG Marbury and the Knicks fell behiind 23-2 before the pre-game introductions were even finished. Things only got worse from there, as the Rockets imposed their will upon the Knicks for four full quarters, with the final tally sitting at 111-79.
While the Houston game looked like another terrible performance for Marbury, true fans of Steph could see the subtle improvement. The most important number in his stat line was not that he only made three field goals for the second straight game, it was the fact that he took 12 instead of nine. Marbury has always been a player who prefers to be in control of his team. He shoots when he wants, he passes when he wants, and he does both well. For the Knicks to improve Steph needs to be Steph, even if that means taking 30 shots sometimes.
Game three with the Knicks was another loss, but another improvement. Marbury fit in with New York for the first time; scoring 14 points, on six-for-fifteen shooting, while adding 11 assists. It may have taken three games, but Steph is here -- and he's here in style.
In his last two games Stephon is averaging 32 points while pushing the previously hapless Knicks over the 120 point barrier in both games. Given, New York lost to the Mavericks 127-121, but the old Knicks would never have scored 121 in the loss, the old Knicks would have been blown out. Last night Marbury scored 26 and added 10 assists in his first home victory for his home town team. The Knicks once again exploded on the offensive end, lighting up the Magic 120-110.
With Don Cheney in the past, as well as that lack of fervor in the MSG air, look for the Knicks -- led by Starbury -- to make a run for a playoff spot in the East. If Marbury stays hot, and Isiah Thomas makes one more good personnel move, the Knicks may not only make the playoffs, they may go deep into them.
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