The Marbury Tempest

New York's usual suspects are creating a mini-controversy regarding the fact that Marbury did not play against Miami in a blow-out game.

D'Antoni explained that he is pursuing a futures line-up rather than a win-now strategy. At face value this makes perfect basketball sense. The issue isn't whether or not Marbury could play a better game than Mardy Collins who had a poor showing. The broader issue is that Mardy Collins needs the opportunity to succeed or fail in D'Antoni's system so that mid-season trade decisions can take that information into account.

Marbury's absence in garbage time may more be a sign of respect for Marbury than an insult. Marbury is not on the bench as a garbage time player. Inevitably, D'Antoni will insert Marbury into a high-pressure, must-win situation and D'Antoni will expect Marbury to respond with an "I'll show you attitude." Part of what makes D'Antoni's high octane methodology work is adrenaline.

You can be sure when Marbury takes the floor there will be sparks.

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There's some talk about an Eddie Curry swap with Golden State to acquire disgruntled Al Harrington.

No one would be happier than I to rid ourselves of Curry whose shelf-life in New york has expired. Curry has created a situation in which fans and team are emotionally exhausted from watching him mold his character around Jerome McJames instead of Shaq in his prime.

Curry should be working 24/7 to redeem any self-respect he has left or this contract will likely be his last.

But the broader issue for me is what Al Harrington might add to this squad and that's an odd algebra. I like the fact that Lee, Gallinari, and Chandler are developing. While Harrington is a better Malik Rose, he would inevitably steal minutes from our future core.

The real player question is whether or not Harrington enjoys playing the uptempo game. If he's unhappy under Don Nelson, anyone trading for him needs to understand why. After all, not even getting rid of Eddie Curry is a good enough excuse to acquire a player who hates the system we're running.