What happened to Starbury? From Brooklyn’s finest to the NBA: The Stephon Marbury story

What happened to Starbury? From Brooklyn’s finest to the NBA; we explore the Stephon Marbury story

Hey, what’s up fellas. What time are they playing tonight at the rec center? I’m about to walk home and grab my gym bag; then I’ll be back. I should be back around 7 p.m. with my squad. Make sure you guys are ready to play!

A fervent statement with felicity. But this statement has a little more juice to it. Why?

There’s never a way to pacify the sound of a basketball bouncing on a blacktop. When Stephon Marbury dribbled his basketball on NYC’s blacktops; he became ‘Starbury.’

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Streetball with great solemnity.  In simplistic terms, it gets pretty serious.

That seriousness carries over to the court, especially pickup games. Most are familiar with Rucker Park, a famous playground known for streetball in New York City where everyone’s eager to play. What if you show up without a team? You simply don’t play. That’s tough. Right?

Incredibly tough. Especially if you’re team isn’t built before 7 p.m.

Guys, I have my five already. We’re ready to play!  The team is built. In other words, it’s time for five on five.

In the streets of Brooklyn, New York, he became Coney Island’s hoop icon. That’s when Marbury flourished into one of New York City’s top prospects.

Abraham Lincoln High School, a school prominently known for producing enviable basketball talent. That’s where Marbury engraved his name as Lincoln’s next big star. Lincoln High School has produced several other NBA players including Mark Jackson, Lance Stephenson, Sebastian Telfair, and Kenny Anderson. But “Starbury” knew deep in his heart that one day he would become “that guy.” It happened. His senior year.

Marbury was named New York City’s Mr. Basketball in 1995. A season filled with accolades. McDonald’s All-American, Parade Magazine All-American; among others. Not only that, “Starbury” wasn’t the only phenom in the 1995 recruiting class. Kevin Garnett, Antawn Jamison, Paul Pierce, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim were all McDonald’s All-Americans in 1995.

What came next for Starbury? 

After being ranked among the top five recruits in the country; Marbury signed his letter of intent to play collegiately at Georgia Tech. A highly touted incoming freshman, he ended up taking over the starting duties when former NBA guard Travis Best departed after his senior year. Playing alongside Drew Barry and Matt Harpring; they led Georgia Tech to a 24-12 record. That record propelled “Starbury” and the Yellow Jackets to the 1996 NCAA Regional Semifinal where they lost an 87-70 battle to Cincinnati.

Statistically, Marbury averaged 18.9 points per game and was named Third Team All-American by the Associated Press. He later declared for the 1996 NBA Draft where he was selected fourth overall to the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee, then traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Ray Allen and a future first-round pick.

Marbury’s ubiquitous influence was felt by Minnesota’s franchise for three seasons – 1996, 1997, and 1998. But in ’97 and ’98, Kevin Garnett and Marbury led the Timberwolves to the NBA playoffs.

Where did Marbury’s journey take him to next? 

New Jersey. That’s where Marbury became a sensation. From 1999-01, he went from being a traditional player to an all-star. A reserve role in the 2001 NBA All-Star game marked Marbury’s first all-star game appearance. Although he was a vital asset, the Nets never made a playoff run during his two-year stint.

Starbury was later traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2001, making his second all-star team. Additionally, the nucleus between Marbury, Amare Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion embellished the Suns’ offense. That embellishment was key for a potential playoff run, but Phoenix was expelled by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

After Phoenix, Starbury headed back to his roots. New York. So, what happened? Did he go back? 

Not exactly. There’s no place like home. The Knicks acquired Marbury in 2004, which set the stage for another theater show of trades. Penny Hardaway and 7-foot-2 polish center Cezary Trybanski were also traded to the Knicks. A theater show that eventually turned pugnacious. Marbury bided with the Knicks from 2004-09. Five seasons. After the 2005-06 season, an acrimonious dispute with head coach Larry Brown caused Marbury’s popularity to dissipate. That acrimony was one of many reasons why Brown was fired from the Knicks towards the end of the season.

A firing that prompted Mike D’Antoni to become the new head coach in 2008. Before D’Antoni, Isiah Thomas was President and head coach. Thomas was later removed that year. Speculations circulated around Marbury’s future. With D’Antoni taking over, New York signed Chris Duhon.  Marbury battled with Duhon in training camp for the starting job, and consequently, Duhon was victorious.

After a five-year stint in New York, Marbury had to circumvent the issues he dealt with. How did he do it? 

By heading to Boston. The Celtics offered Marbury a one-year deal in 2009-10. He rejected the deal and decided to take a break from the NBA to pursue other business endeavors.

Business endeavors? What type of business?

Well, Marbury and the NBA didn’t see eye to eye. And since the problems persisted more than they needed to; he veered overseas to the Chinese Basketball Association.

How was his eminence felt in China? 

His eminence was felt quickly in the Chinese league. In 2010, the Coney Island legend signed with the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons of the CBA. He averaged 22 points in the first 15 games and was later chosen a CBA all-star. Marbury, then joined the Foshan Dralions in December 2010 and ended up signing with the Beijing Ducks in 2011 where he played for six seasons. He won three CBA championships in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Marbury was named CBA finals MVP in 2015, while also being named CBA Foreign MVP in 2013. He was also a six-time CBA All-Star.

Marbury’s competence in the Chinese Basketball Association put the icing on his resume. At some point, you have to hang up the sneakers and put the basketball back on the rack.

We all get old. So what’s next? Retirement? 

In February 2018, Marbury played his last game with the Beijing Ducks scoring 20 points and announced his retirement from the game. He was later named head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters.

Starbury. Coney Island’s finest. A Brooklyn legend.

A streetball saga that started in Brooklyn, New York. A saga that led him to China. We never forgot about Stephon Marbury. One thing to remember. If you ever play at Rucker Park in New York, make sure you’re team is ready by 7 p.m.

And one more thing to remember when playing streetball. It gets pretty serious.