Stephon Marbury's father, Donald, would have celebrated his 69th birthday tomorrow. Last week, Donald Marbury would have gone out and purchased Christmas trees for the family.
What better way for Stephon Marbury to honor his deceased father than to lift the Knicks out of oblivion, but it will be an enormous task. Marbury admits he is out of condition and nobody knows how his mental state really is until he takes the floor tonight. Donald Marbury died 15 days ago after suffering a heart attack at the Garden watching the Knicks and the Suns.
Marbury, looking gaunt but saying he is revved to play basketball again, came back to the Knicks yesterday. Though he admits his conditioning is an issue, Marbury practiced and likely will start tonight when the 7-16 Knicks host the Pacers at The Garden.
The comatose franchise finally showed signs of a pulse Saturday in their win over the Nets that broke a five-game skid. Embattled Eddy Curry emerged from his dreadful slump and Marbury could be he right guy to get him back on track for good, like he did last season. Only Marbury and Curry at their best can save this nightmare season. (...)
