Stephon Marbury: Leaving New York, Good Riddance

Stephon Marbury is a cancer. Since coming to the NBA with his me first attitude in-tow, the happiest day for his former employers was the day they watched him leave. Joining the club this week are the New York Knicks who reached a buyout agreement with him on Tuesday.

The move opens the door for Marbury to sign with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics, who apparently want nothing to do with competing for another championship. Handing over the reigns of their offense to this basketball prima donna is like handing your three year old the keys to your new Porsche 911. Both moves are guaranteed to destroy a great thing!

The real winners here are the Cleveland Cavaliers. From the season opener both teams were on a collision course to compete to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Now, with Cleveland hitting on all cylinders, fielding the deepest team in the league, and King James playing at his peak with Mo Williams running the point guard position, the move by Boston seems to be a desperation play.

Regardless of what Ray Allen says to ESPN.com, "The coaches can coach. They don't have to manage this team. The [veteran] players do a great job making sure that we are all prepared to play every day and we keep whatever grumblings down." This move will have a significantly negative affect both in the locker room and on the court. What is Allen going to say a few weeks from now when his touches decline and his open looks disappear? When Starbury's desire to score overrides his obligation to lead the team, what will he say then?

The magic of the Boston Celtics last year was in their selflessness. Their complete focus in working together to accept nothing but a championship was what guided them through the difficult waters of the NBA regular season and playoffs. Stephon Marbury doesn't just come in and rock a team's boat, he capsizes it! The Big Three may have played like One, but Three's company and Four's a crowd!

I wish I could explain it. He is a great player and more often than not comes off as a man who wants to succeed at all costs. I think he understands how important winning is to the legacy you leave behind, but he never seems to follow through. I gave him the benefit of the doubt when he went to New York. I thought that since he was finally home, playing in the city he grew up in, that he would turn over a new leaf and be what everyone thought he would be. But, that didn't happen. This is a shame because he is a great basketball player.

So, LeBron, get your team together and brake out the bubbly. Throw the chalk high into the air and smile wide. With Stephon Marbury landing in Boston, your trip to the NBA Finals is assured. No matter what those on the outside looking in might say, basketball is still a team sport. Too bad Marbury doesn't understand that.

Sources:

ESPN.com