Starbury is AWOL

I hope Knick fans will join me in doing a thorough search of all the back seats of trucks in the Pheonix area along with a thorough sweep of intern's offices. New York Daily News beat writer, Frank Isola has reported on the Stephen A. Smith show in New York, that Stephon Marbury is currently AWOL. He did not report to practice today and the team does not know his whereabouts. After a disappointing loss to the then win-less Miami Heat on Sunday, Isiah Thomas informed his team that players that do not show defensive intensity on the court will see a drastic reduction in playing time. Thomas began this process during the game, as he was obviously also disappointed by Marbury's backup Nate Robinson's as third-stringer Mardy Collins played 21 minutes in his first action of the year. Isola also stated that Mardy Collins will be in the starting lineup tonight as the Knicks begin an important four-game West Coast trip in Phoenix.

Although the Knicks' backcourt defense has been atrocious this year, the teams 2-3 record cannot be placed solely on Marbury's play. However, always a sensitive player it appears that Marbury has taken Isiah's motivation strategies in the wrong way and has reacted in a usual childish matter. When taking over as coach last year, Thomas was forced to build the roster's spirits back up and remove the tire tracks that resulted from Larry Brown constant belittling and under-bus throwing from the previous season. Now Thomas must actually do some more conventional coaching which requires him to take the kid-gloves off and call some players out privately - holding them accountable for their performance and energy level on the court. Although I am the the consummate Marbury apologist, I really can't hold his ego, and immaturity over the team, and if these reports of his alienation from the team are true - I personally think that Isiah and the rest of the Knicks front office would be best served to put Marbury in the corner for an adult time-out until he realizes the errors of his ways or the team has no choice but to buy out his unmanageable contract. Although I'd hate to see Marbury go, it would create a surplus of sexy single interns with nothing to do but maybe get into MY truck.