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New York Knicks: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 27, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Vocal group the Four Tops with former NBA player Earl Monroe (purple tie) and New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier and former NBA player Dick Barnett (right) acknowledge Walt Frazier for his 70th birthday during the game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Vocal group the Four Tops with former NBA player Earl Monroe (purple tie) and New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier and former NBA player Dick Barnett (right) acknowledge Walt Frazier for his 70th birthday during the game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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27.) PG Stephon Marbury

The Coney Island product was acquired by the Knicks in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, the third time that Marbury was traded in his career. It was a homecoming that looked to be a match made in heaven for both sides; the Knicks finally had a star to call their own, and Marbury got to return home.

Things started off well for the Knicks and Marbury, as he helped get them to the postseason following his acquisition during the 2003-2004 season. The Knicks were swept at the hands of the New Jersey Nets, but it was the first playoff appearance for the Knicks in three seasons, and the last one until they made it again during the 2010-2011 season.

Marbury was outstanding for the Knicks in his first full season with the team, averaging 21.7 points and 8.1 assists per game despite the team going only 33-49 and missing the postseason. Unfortunately, things went downhill quickly after that for Marbury and the Knicks.

His play began to fall off, and he was part of a nasty sexual assault case against him and Isiah Thomas in 2007. Marbury wouldn’t come close to those numbers he put up during the 2004-2005 season and was ran out of town shortly after once Mike D’Antoni was named head coach.

The marriage between Marbury and the Knicks never materialized as people had hoped, as Marbury seemed to be black balled out of the NBA. It turned out to be the best thing for him, as he has built a quality career and brand playing in China. Despite the problems in New York, Marbury still led the team back to the postseason and was one of the most talented point guards ever to take the court wearing a Knicks’ jersey. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 assists per game in orange and blue.

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