Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Stephon Marbury could’ve been a great story for the NBA and the New York Knicks specifically. Marbury, a lifelong fan of the Knicks and resident of the New York area, was traded to the franchise in 2004. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan.
After finishing off his first half-season with the Knicks and getting swept in the playoffs, the public feuds between Marbury and head coach Larry Brown began and weren’t pretty. Brown got fired, Marbury became the villain of New York, with fans and teammates unhappy with his behavior. Similarly, Marbury engaged in public spats with New York’s following head coach, Isiah Thomas. Despite his poor attitude and performance (career lows in points per game), Marbury was getting paid $20 million per year. His time with the Knicks ended with a buyout in 2009.
Ultimately, what could have been a remarkable story devolved into an ugly episode in New York’s history.
There would be a redemption of sorts for Starbury in China eventually, but that’s a story for another day.
Money per game: $302,802
Highest Knick salary: $20,840,625 in 2008-09 (No. 6 in the NBA that season)
Knicks stats: 18.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 7.0 apg, 44.0 FG% in five seasons
