Stephon Marbury: A New York Knicks Guard, but for How Much Longer?

The Knicks have suspended Stephon Marbury for one game without pay after he allegedly refused to play on Wednesday. The $h!t has hit the fan.

Marbury struck back after learning about the suspension, contending that he never refused to play. His story is that head coach Mike D'Antoni asked him if he wanted to play, and he said, "No." If D'Antoni insisted, he would have played, but since he was given a choice he decided not to play.

Marbury will serve the suspension anyway, however, because, well, he doesn't want to play.

I don't know why the Knicks have put up with Marbury's antics for so long. He is clearly not a part of their plans for the future or the present, and he is only causing a headache.

Despite the obvious reasons for letting him go, they've kept him around until now, and continue to lollygag about buying him out. The end is inevitable and imminent for Marbury, but I don't know why it's taken so long. To quote Marbury, "The marriage is over."

Here's what the Knicks have to do, if they haven't done so already. They need to go to every single one of the 29 teams, and offer Marbury for whomever they can get. Marbury is talented and his contract comes off the books this season, but he’s too much of a ball hog.

If a team is willing to handle his mood swings for the remainder of the season, the Knicks should be able to convince them to part with ANYTHING—a failed prospect, a small amount of cash, or maybe even half a broccoli floret. Anything will do to get Marbury off their team.

If they can't find a home for Marbury, then there's no choice other than to buy him out. He can't be in New York anymore. His coach doesn't like him, his teammates don't like him, and the fans don't like him. Even if you're stuck paying the rest of his contract, at least you don't have him poisoning the water.

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