http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3605502
Pouring water on widespread speculation that the Knicks will waive Stephon
Marbury, president Donnie Walsh said the controversial point guard will be
with the team when it begins official workouts next week.
"He's coming to training camp," Walsh said of Marbury in a telephone
interview Tuesday evening.
A newspaper report out of New York Tuesday morning said the Knicks are
planning to waive Marbury by the end of the week. The move, which has been
speculated about for months in the media, would eventually lead to a buyout
of the $21.9 million Marbury is owed in the final year of his contract.
"This thing is initiated in the press and then I have to ask questions about
it," Walsh said, sounding somewhat perturbed. "I haven't approached [Marbury]
about a buyout."
When asked whether he's reached out to the point guard to alleviate concerns
about his status with the team, Walsh said, "I talked to Stephon once and he
seems OK about all of this."
Marbury is coming off the worst season of his 12-year career. He had a famous
falling-out with his coach, president and one-time mentor Isiah Thomas,
played in only 24 games because of injury, underwent surgery on his left
ankle, and averaged career-lows in points (13.9), assists (4.7), rebounds
(2.5) and minutes (33.6).
But at 31 years old, Marbury is still fairly young, and reports are that he
spent the summer getting in the best shape he's been in in years.
Walsh also said former Knicks guard Allan Houston will probably join the team
at training camp. He said Houston, 37, has been working out with the Knicks
at their practice facility and that his shooting touch is as smooth as ever.
Walsh is going to meet with Houston on Wednesday to further discuss the
situation. He would not guarantee Houston a spot on the roster, though.
"I don't know the answer to that," Walsh said, when asked whether Houston
would definitely play for the Knicks this season. "But as far as putting the
ball in the basket, he absolutely can still shoot. He has to be in more
intense situations."
Houston is expected to sign a contract paying him the league minimum salary
of $1.26 million for a player of 10 or more years experience, according to a
source with knowledge of the situation. If he doesn't make the team, he will
probably be retained in some front-office capacity.
If he does make the team, Houston, who wore No. 20 throughout his career,
will wear No. 14 in honor of his dad Wade, who wore the number as the first
African-American player at the University of Louisville.
Houston, who averaged 17.3 points over his 12-year career, was forced to
retire in 2005 because of an arthritic left knee. He returned briefly last
season before bowing out during the Knicks training camp.
Walsh said it will be different this time around.
"In that case, he hadn't worked out that much," Walsh said. "He just came in
and started playing. Now, he feels like he's in better position to go out and
play. I accept that."
The question is will New York still accept Marbury.
Chris Broussard is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine
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文中也提到Houston可能加入，另外尼克希望J.Jamse退休
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