Stephon Marbury’s Demise: Blame it on Stupidity, Oprah and Fear
The Stephon Marbury train wreck has been entertaining, mind-boggling, and now with this latest incident, more than a bit sad (even sadder than him crying). It’s odd to watch someone’s career literally go up in smoke.
Back when Plaxico Burress was popping bullets into his thigh, former ESPN Analyst, Stephen A. Smith made some interesting points about how Black athletes tend to be
More feared than admired because of the young minds they’re perceived as guiding towards the inevitable path to destruction [Watch]
Never mind the multitudes of people who agree with Marbury’s views on marijuana - a young, Black, tattoo clad, marijuana proponent is not the person basketball fans want talking to their kids, peddling them products, or representing their city.
Fans might be willing to tolerate a boogieman that wins rings (Rodman, Kobe in Denver anyone?) but they do not tolerate someone who scares them and loses (sorry Celtics fans).
Marbury is destroying himself more than anyone else right about now, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t America’s worst nightmare. He might have been able to be dismissed as another dumb athelete but he lost any shot of that when he got cozy with the queen of media in 2007. In the past couple of years Marbury has marketed himself as something of a champion for poor kids. If your average middle class mom didn’t know Marbury from Chuck Berry, they certainly did after he sat on Oprah’s couch (with Sarah Jessic Parker of all people!) selling them affordable sneakers.
Marbury’s Internet drama reveals that cocaine is a hell of a drug he needs help, but even if Oprah scooped down with cameras and Dr. Phill to rescue him, Marbury’s NBA career is done. There is no way David Stern – the man who instituted a dress code to rectify the league’s image and tame his thugged out employees - will allow Marbury back into the NBA. The Knicks probably have a better shot at winning the title than Marbury does at playing basketball again.
I hope Marbury sold a lot of sneakers because he can kiss that NBA money goodbye, if he hasn’t already smoked it up.
Earlier: Plaxico, the Black Athlete, and the ‘Black Image’
Tags: Black Athletes, NBA, Oprah, Stephon Marbury
August 17th, 2009 at 13:42
Keeks, you know Steph has a special…not exactly warm place in my heart. He is indeed very troubled. I don’t think he needs to be playing, he needs help. And sadly, he didn’t sell that many sneakers, either.
August 17th, 2009 at 19:24
I think he’s insane…LOL.
August 17th, 2009 at 20:14
Dude grew up in an environment where the few “men” around probably never taught him how to properly deal with emotion &/or vulnerability. Couple that with the last few years of his career, & boom! Once he fell out with the ENTIRE Knicks organization, that was the start of the meltdown.
I’ve been to rehab (for drinking) & therapy. My man needs an overall rehabilitation program, & mental/emotional detox.
He’s definitely done with the NBA, but not Bball. There’s plenty of opportunity for a player of his caliber & status. Just not under David Stern’s umbrella. Too many start athletes screw up & return to what they love. He won’t be the first or the last.
August 17th, 2009 at 20:17
*star athletes
August 20th, 2009 at 11:30
[...] Earlier: Stephon Marbury’s Demise: Blame it On Stupidity, Oprah and Fear [...]
August 24th, 2009 at 21:59
It’s obvious that dude is hurting and has some kind of serious issue going on . Why don’t someone step in and help him before he blows his brains out . He’s crying out for help and everyone is sitting around watching him destroy himself .
Maybe he doesn’t have anyone who can show him . He needs help and I pray that Shaq or Lebron or someone can reach him before it’s too late.
It’s very sad to watch
S. Green