FEUDS: Marbury says Knicks not good for stars
"I wouldn't want to play in that system," Marbury told The Post. "That system can't win championships. You can't win championships if you don't talk about defense. In Boston, the coaches even play defense."- Source: ESPN.com
Interesting.
Marbury, the guy who gave himself the nickname of "Starbury," says Mike D'Antoni's offensive scheme should cause some concern for star players.
You know something? Marbury, the guy who even tatooed a star on the side of his head to further convince you his nickname is and should be "Starbury," is right.
Marbury, the guy who also released a line of shoewear called "Starbury Shoes," is right, because it was in that system people like Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Joe Johnson just disintegrated as players.
It was in that system that players like Quentin Richardson, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and Leandro Barbosa had their worst seasons and were almost completely ruined by that awful King D'Antoni.
Wait a minute, that's not right!
Steve Nash, a star, had two straight (and almost a third) MVP seasons in that system. Amare and Joe Johnson became stars under that system. Shawn Marion played a lot better under that system than he has since - just ask Raptor and Heat fans.
Before Diaw got to the Suns, he was a no-name throw-in for the Joe Johnson trade, and he then became a bit of a go-to guy for the Suns, flling in for the injured Amare. Take his stats with Atlanta and compare them with the rest of his career.
Richardson led the league in three-pointers in his first season under D'Antoni and saw a bump and his stats when he was reunited with D'Antoni in NY. Bell and Barbosa have flourished with D'Antoni.
That coach's system, directly and indirectly, has resulted in a lot of players making a lot of cash.
It's not surprising Marbury would say all of this. It is quite clear Mike D'Antoni does not prefer the company of Marbury - and few coaches do (Isiah Thomas, your thoughts?). One of the first things he did in Phoenix was have Marbury shipped to NY. And when D'Antoni went to NY, one of the first things he did was alienate Marbury and pretty much say he has no plans for the PG to play for him.
Maybe this is part of the reason Marbury spoke so poorly of Mike and his system? So is he really a reliable source on the subject? He hasn't really even played under the system - D'Antoni won't let him.
The fact is D'Antoni's system is capable of winning a championship, but so far it hasn't. Time will tell. Considering how close some of those Suns teams got, I wouldn't blame it all on the system.
D'Antoni is lucky a well-or-somewhat-respected player didn't talk trash about him. That could have done some damage.
