Stephon Marbury Would Love to Play with Tim Duncan in San Antonio

Stephon Marbury visited San Antonio yesterday and said he would be interested in playing for the Spurs if he is cut by the Knicks, a team that has benched him permanently.

The New York Post reported in Wednesday's editions that Marbury felt another snub from Coach Mike D'Antoni when injured player, Eddy Curry, was activated instead of him for last night's game against the Spurs.

Curry himself had been the subject of a trade rumor involving the Spurs earlier in the week, which was an idea most Spurs fans reacted negatively to.

"Who wouldn't want to play for San Antonio?" Marbury said. "To play with Tim Duncan... who would complain about that? That's a great organization. They win championships. They have a nice system and I like Popovich as coach."

Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford has said he might look for a point guard after losing Tony Parker for a month, because the only point guards on the roster are rookie George Hill, who started last night, and Jacque Vaughn.

A trade is unlikely because Marbury is scheduled to earn $42 million over the next two seasons, but the Knicks' history does suggest they might be inclined to negotiate a buyout for Marbury who would then become a free agent.

Knicks GM Donnie Walsh has indicated that he is not ready to waive Marbury.

"It's a situation where the Knicks are trying to make his stay miserable so he asks for a much less expensive buyout," said one insider. "It's a textbook play."

D'Antoni has taken some heat from Knicks fans who feel Marbury has been slighted.

"I know, but we get back to the same thing. I just think it's better that I'm going to play my guys, and that's who's going to play," said D'Antoni. "So there's no reason to change course right now."

Marbury wasn't surprised.

"Mike said he's going forward and not playing me," Marbury said. "I'll wait the whole year if I have to."

Apparently Marbury isn't the only Knick who'd love to find his way to South Texas. Former Spur Malik Rose told WOAI-TV's Don Harris that he'd love to play for the Spurs next season after he becomes a free agent.

More on that in the SpursReport Fan Forums.