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**USSKittyHawk** · 09-14-2006, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Stephon Marbury said Wednesday he would embrace playing for the Timberwolves if he were traded to Minnesota, but he emphasized that he considers himself a New York Knick for life.

That's why he doesn't see any other possibility of playing with Wolves all-star Kevin Garnett again — unless Garnett relocates to play for Marbury's New York Knicks.

Marbury will be in the Twin Cities today to promote his new sneaker line. During a phone interview, Marbury, who played for the Timberwolves from 1996 until his trade to New Jersey in March 1999, said he hasn't talked to Garnett recently but that he would embrace a reunion.

"I would love to play with Kevin," Marbury said. "We would love for him to come to New York. If he wants to play with me in New York, that would be great. That's the only way it's going to happen, because I'm in New York."

Marbury and Garnett share some similarities. They are veterans hungry for an NBA championship and saddled with teams that missed the playoffs last season. Still, Marbury sounded almost envious of Garnett's situation.

"Kevin has had more success than I've had," he said. "I really can't put myself in his situation. My situation has been a lot more grueling. I've had to defend myself with the media as a person and as a basketball player."

But Marbury said the criticism doesn't wear on him.

"Basketball is my hobby; it's not my life," he said. "I've won in the game of life. I've gotten the opportunity to do a lot of things."

The man who once called himself the NBA's best point guard said he would be willing to play with the Wolves — if he ends up in Minnesota via a trade he can't control.

"Minnesota's good to me," Marbury said. "The fans there are great. When I left, it wasn't for basketball reasons. It was for living reasons. I just felt like I didn't want to commit seven years of my life to living in Minnesota. It was really cold. There was a lot of snow."

Last season, Garnett said he would welcome playing with Marbury in Minnesota and sounded as though he missed his former teammate. But the two apparently don't talk much. Marbury described their infrequent conversations as "brief."

"I wouldn't say we have a bad relationship," Marbury said.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/15513202.htm

Don't hold your breath Steph.