The road to redemption for Stephon Marbury is an easy one. The formula goes something like this: shut your mouth except only to say the "right things", accept whatever role they give you, and produce when you're on the floor. So far… we've got check, check and for the most part, check.
Marbury has already said he's accepting his role. And honestly, his role fits what he's trying do production-wise because the limited minutes help him ease his way back into the game. While it would have been nice to see a few points last night (he was 0-2), I'll take the 4 assists and 2 rebounds with only 1 turnover. I think it's clear that we'll see some production out of this guy.
The "saying the right things" came last night in his first real opportunity to mouth off. In the face of more media than usual in New Jersey, Marbury stuck to the party line.
"Going forward is the only thing that I wanted to do at the beginning of the year," Marbury said. "And being able to have a fresh start with the best team in the NBA is refreshing."
"The mind-set and the mind frame is to win a championship," Marbury said. "That's what guys think about and talk about in our locker room and on the bus. That's the environment I've wanted to always be in, and coming off the bench is not a big thing."
Since Marbury wasn't going back to MSG, this was the New York media's only chance to talk to him on their turf. Good for Steph for keeping his composure. He also explained that he chose the number 8 to symbolize his fresh start.
On a completely unrelated, but equally good note: Kendrick Perkins says two of the technical fouls against him have been rescinded. The T's have tapered off… so the fear of Perk being suspended seems to be gone.
And the Celtics and Cavs have officially clinched playoff spots with wins last night.
Herald: Celtics slip through Nets | C's Prez Rich Gotham scores in speech on success | Globe: Celtics eke by Nets | Camerato: Celtics net win against former team | NY Daily News: Marbury's chance has come to pass
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