NBA Notebook | Marbury starts, N.Y.’s losing streak hits 7
Notebook |
NEW YORK - Stephon Marbury rejoined the New York Knicks’ starting lineup Tuesday night, a week after he responded to a demotion by leaving the team for one game.
Marbury said he was told by coach Isiah Thomas at the beginning of the morning shoot-around at their training center in Greenburgh, N.Y., that he would start against the Golden State Warriors. Marbury was a reserve for three games, and the Knicks lost all of them to extend their losing streak to six.
The skid reached seven after a 108-82 loss. Marbury scored 18 points, but the Knicks were never in the game in the second half.
“It was such an ugly game for us, you really can’t judge by what you saw tonight in terms of progress, because clearly there was none to be shown in this game,” Thomas said. “Not necessarily for Steph, but just for our overall team.”
Marbury was introduced last during introductions, as usual, and loudly booed - though not as heavily as Thomas. Marbury, who had a tough defensive assignment with Baron Davis, was booed every time he touched the ball in the early going.
Marbury said after the game he would travel with the Knicks for their game Wednesday at Detroit, rather than stay in New York for the funeral of an aunt who died Monday.
“I want to be here for my family, but I’m going to Detroit,” Marbury said.
Marbury played poorly in a home loss to Miami on Nov. 11, and Thomas told him that he wouldn’t start at Phoenix in the opener of the Knicks’ road trip. Marbury returned to New York and skipped that game, then returned to the Knicks the next night.
Thomas said at the time he wanted better defense and leadership from Marbury, but acknowledged before the game that the benching was a punishment. He believes Marbury will provide what is needed.
“I just think he needed a reminder,” Thomas said. “I don’t think it’s something that he doesn’t know how to do. He definitely knows how to play the position and he has great skill. He has great talent and we needed to remind him of what we need and expect from that position for us to be successful.”
Notes
• Washington Wizards G Gilbert Arenas missed his second consecutive game, the latest setback in his recovery from a knee injury. The Wizards began a stretch Tuesday of four games in five nights, which means Arenas will likely miss more time.
• Memphis Grizzlies rookie Mike Conley has been sidelined indefinitely with an injured right shoulder.
• The Los Angeles Lakers traded Fs Brian Cook and Maurice Evans to the Orlando Magic for F Trevor Ariza.
• Toronto F Jorge Garbajosa was inactive after team medical personnel saw something “unusual” on an MRI of his left leg, the one he broke last season.