blogsketball

At first I thought it was an ESPN-created drama so I didn’t pay attention. Then I heard it mentioned on every NBA broadcast tonight, each one with a few more details than the last (thank god for court surfing on the score). Piecing together what I’ve heard, here’s what happened: after being told that he was losing his spot in the starting lineup, Stephon Marbury left the Knicks and flew back to Gotham. NY was in Phoenix tonight kicking off a four-game road trip (more on that later) and everyone is saying that Marbury might have played his last game in a Knick uniform. Apparently, Isiah Thomas is gutting the team that he put together. Here’s the most disturbing part of all this, Zeke’s quote:

“It seems like he and I go through this every November, then a couple of weeks go by and we kind of kiss and make up, then we go back to the business of trying to win basketball games,”

Who says that? No coach in a winning franchise says that. Avery Johnson doesn’t say that about Dirk. D’antoni doesn’t say that about Nash. Even teams that aren’t contenders don’t have annual confrontations. Sam Mitchell and TJ Ford don’t have days on their calendar circled, knowing months in advance that they’ll be getting into a fight. Also, “the business of trying to win basketball games?” Since when do the Knicks win games? They’re awful! And it’s because of Thomas. Don’t trade Marbury, just fire the guy who’s created this mess.

Enough of that. Some comments on tonight’s games:

Rudy Gay destroyed Yao Ming’s face with a one-hander. Yao now has no face. He’ll wear a mask for the rest of the year … Amare made his triumphant return to the Suns lineup tonight. His line (as of this posting) 20 and 12, 4 blocks in 26 minutes (3rd quarter) … Houston lost to Memphis tonight, but it wasn’t TMac’s fault. 41 points, 4 boards, 4 assists. He’s on a tear this year … C’s stay undefeated with a win against the Pacers … Rashard Lewis gives his old squad 22 points as the Magic beat the helpless Sonics 103 - 76 … There were four more games, three look like blowouts (SA, DAL and PHX will probably pick up wins) and Det and Portland are in the second. I’m off to bed. Watch the highlights to see Yao get Gay’d.