Jul 18 2007
Stephon Marbury - Coney Island

Stephon Marbury Says He’s Leaving the NBA For Italy in 2 Years

During the time Larry Brown put his destructive touch on the Knicks, the losing and confusion with no end in sight gave the players plenty of time to think about things other than basketball.

For Stephon Marbury first it was the fatherly chats with Isiah Thomas, then the $15 sneakers for those without, flip on Fox Sports and there he is doing the interview thing on “Stars on Stars” talking with his peers about life and success. “I’ve been playing basketball since I was 2 years old.” writes Stephon. “Running in the sand, selling sodas on the beach in Coney Island with my brothers, getting stronger with dreams and a vision of making it to the NBA. Now I have a bigger vision for myself.”

The evolution of Stephon Marbury is about to take an across the globe leap. Stephon Marbury blogs in the NY Post. Today he confirmed a report that he’ll leave the NBA in 2 years for the relaxed and vibrant life of Italy.

At first glance it sounds like a joke or a frustrated Kobe Bryant-esque moment, but listen to his reasons and you’ll see he still wants to win but his focus isn’t just on the playoffs and contending for a championship anymore.

“Once you put your mind to something, you create a vision for your life that comes out in your actions in the world. If you let other people decide what is best for you, then you are allowing someone else to create YOUR life..

This will be my 12th season in the league. When my contract is up in two years, I want to go play overseas in Italy and retire over there.

Some fans might be surprised I’d want to leave the NBA after 13 seasons when I’m a free agent. But I fell in love with Italy like I love New York. The people are so chill there and laid back. My wife loves it too. We recently went to Italy and it changed my life.

We drove an hour and a half from Milan to Biella to see my cousin Jamel Thomas play. It’s like playing at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Arena. The fans go crazy. They have a lot of passion and energy like you’ve never seen.

We went to Luca and got exclusive cheap watches. I played with a 6-year-old kid who loved basketball but said nobody would play with him. So I played with him two straight hours. We also went to Puzza, Montejachina and Tuscany. Tuscany was fly. The architecture and designs were incredible. I call Florence the shoe capital.

Wifey and I did the 50-cent window shopper.

After that we went to Venice. We strolled with the “Gondola man’’ singing and pushing the boat. They told me 400 people take classes to steer them and only 100 people pass.

I fell in love with wifey all over again.

We took the boat to the casino. Everything is on water. You have to take taxi boats. It was set-up like the movie Casino Royale, one of my favorite flicks.

We ended our trip to Rome. We went to Pentium and the Coliseum. The high note was our visit to the Sistine Chapel. It is incredible. You walk in one door and out the other and you become free in mind, body and spirit. That’s when I knew I was free. I flew home a free man and my life got turned around.

That’s why I want to go back to Italy after winning the championship with the Knicks.

Two years is about the time it’ll take for the Knicks to get to that championship game six win. You know, two years before the Cavaliers get theirs..  (haha).

So if the Knicks are close to winning a championship, after all these years, I find it hard to believe Steph would leave his beloved Knicks. Imagine that, he bounces and the next year he has to watch the ring ceremony from the stands.

Italy or whatever, if he (and KG) never win a championship, there is always going to be this “what if” on his resume.

Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 dmac Mon, Jul 23, 2007 - 3:55 pm

man f**k stephon, everywhere he goes he destroy the team, asks the nets, minnesota, and phoenix. all three were happy when he left

2 driz Sun, Oct 07, 2007 - 5:42 am

Pretty sure minnesota wanted him to stay!!

3 CHIEF 00 Sun, Oct 07, 2007 - 10:37 pm

DRIZ, MINNESOTA WANTED HIM TO STAY BIT THEY WERE BETTER OFF WITHOUT HIM.

4 MAC IRV Mon, Oct 08, 2007 - 3:44 am

DONT HATE ON STEPH. HE IS A GOOD PLAYER AN A PERSON

5 CHIEF 00 Mon, Oct 08, 2007 - 9:34 pm

STEPHON MARBURY IS OK PLAYER, AN OK PERSON, AND A HORRIBLE TEAMMATE. THERE ARE 3 THAT CAN BACK UP MY STATEMENT.

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