Marbury refuses to play again as Pistons beat undermanned Knicks

With the New York Knicks still undermanned due to injuries and recent personnel moves, Stephon Marbury was once again asked to play for the team that is paying him $20 million this season.  Once again he refused, and the Knicks were left with just eight players as they were routed by the Detroit Pistons 110-96.

The Pistons had been embarrassed in their previous game by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavs, but they looked like an entirely different team on Wednesday night.  They had a special practice which players described as a “mini-camp” specially designed to better acquaint recently acquired Alan Iverson with the team’s tactics.  Iverson finished with 16 points, and the Pistons looked more cohesive than they have sine the trade that sent Chauncy Billups to Denver for “The Answer”.

Detroit had this game well in hand from the outset, roaring to a 59-43 halftime lead and never allowing the Knicks to seriously threaten.  Richard Hamilton scored 17 points in the victory, while Amir Johnson may have been the Piston’s most effective all around player with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. 

The Knicks only had seven healthy players as starting guard Quinton Richardson played despite an arm injury.  His toughness was not lost on New York coach Mike D’Antoni:

"That's why I like these guys. I asked Q if he could go, and he said he couldn't shoot, but he'd play. That's all we can ask for."

After the game Richardson ripped Marbury in epic fashion for his refusal to play despite the team’s depleted roster:

"He hasn't played with us all year. Regardless of what you have going on with the organization or what you have going on with your coach or whatever -- you're not going to allow your teammates to be left out there the way we were basically being left out there."

"This is directed at us regardless if you're trying to stick it to whoever you're trying to stick it to. At the end of the day we're shorthanded, people are hurt.

"Once again, I don't pay attention to [Stephon] because I don't look at him as a teammate anyway."

The good news is that the Knicks’ players may not have to put up with Marbury’s selfish antics for much longer.  The team has suspended him for a game without pay for his refusal to play and ordered him to stay away from the team until Monday.  In the meantime, the front office is exploring options for a buyout, release or other arrangement to get rid of the team’s $20 million bench warmer.