Is it surprising to anyone that the two signature deals of Isiah Thomas’ tenure as GM have ended in ruins? Eddy Curry has been banished to the end of the bench on most nights, but Isiah has gone even further with Stephon Marbury and barred him from the Garden.
It’s the latest chapter in the Isiah-Marbury feud that erupted in November when Isiah went to remove Marbury from the starting lineup and Marbury left the team. Isiah wouldn’t name Marbury on Wednesday when he discussed the Knicks need to get a real point guard for the 2008-09 season and now he seems bent on absolutely destroying Marbury’s trade value.
And, Marbury should have some real value this offseason. His contract expires after the 08-09 season and that is a valuable asset in the NBA. Of course, the Knicks could decide to just keep Marbury and subtract his deal from the books, but that would be the smart thing to do and smart is not a word that has been associated with the Knicks in a long time.
Photograph of Marbury by Kathy Willens/AP
