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**USSKittyHawk** · 12-03-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

But immediately after the game, the collective thoughts of the Knicks immediately turned to Stephon Marbury, who moments earlier had been informed that his father, Don, had died earlier in the evening. According to team officials, Don Marbury Sr. died at a nearby hospital after being taken from last night's game with chest pains.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba..._on_steph.html

Terrible....my condolences go out to Steph and his family. He was real close to his dad.

**Da Grinch** · 12-03-2007, 06:54 PM

it really is very sad, I wish him and his family the best in this tough time.

the knicks players seem to go through an inordinate amount of tragedy in regards to family members.

Tim thomas lost his sister and i think his mother in the same week a few years ago .

Qrich lost his brother last year ,

marbury has lost 2 relatives one of course being his father this season .

and zach lost his grandmother earlier in the season.

i hope the fans show some compassion in the next game he plays in , he could sure use it in this time.

**Krstic All Star** · 12-03-2007, 06:57 PM

At the very least, he should get some cheers during warmups and the starting lineups.

And he didn't even know about it until after the game... ouch.

**CubanLaker** · 12-03-2007, 08:14 PM

Condolences to Steph and his fam. Hopefully Knick fans give him a cheer or two next game.

Pain5155 · 12-04-2007, 03:27 PM

that tough, marbury should use this as a new beginning.

knickstorm · 12-04-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krstic All Star

At the very least, he should get some cheers during warmups and the starting lineups.

And he didn't even know about it until after the game... ouch.

well his fam purposely told the team not to tell him until after the game

**Krstic All Star** · 12-04-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knickstorm

well his fam purposely told the team not to tell him until after the game

Yeah, I heard that too - still don't know if I agree with it. Regardless, he should be shown some sympathy his next game.

**Truknicksfan** · 12-04-2007, 07:10 PM

I wish him and his family the best.

**Da Grinch** · 12-07-2007, 04:41 AM

Quote:

On an icy December morning in Coney Island, in an old brick church, the Knicks stood shoulder to shoulder across the pulpit, a fractured team no more.

Robert Stolarik for The New York Times
Knicks teammates carrying the coffin of Stephon Marbury’s father, Donald, in Coney Island.
Laid at rest before them was Donald Edward Marbury, the father of their teammate. At the front of the congregation, a somber Stephon Marbury sat with his family, a short distance from his team but seemingly much closer in spirit.

Malik Rose, addressing the Marburys from the pulpit, said: “Words can’t express what you’re feeling, your entire family is feeling. We feel it, too. We’ll continue to pray for you all.”

It was standing-room only, more than 600 people packed the Coney Island Gospel Assembly (posted capacity 496) yesterday morning for the funeral.

Most were from the neighborhood — old friends, family members, teachers and coaches who mentored Donald’s seven children. They came to pay their respects to a Coney Island icon, a man who sent five sons to Division I basketball programs, and one to N.B.A. stardom.

Stephon Marbury’s talent and drive lifted his family out of poverty and out of the Surfside Gardens housing projects, not far from where the funeral was held. When the Marburys returned yesterday, their support network spilled into every corner of the church.

Still, it was hard not to notice the group of 14 taller-than-average men who filled the pews near in the front left corner. The players arrived together, by bus, and were flanked by a mini-congregation of Knicks coaches, trainers, executives and support staff. Among those in attendance were Isiah Thomas, the coach and team president; the Madison Square Garden chairman, Steve Mills; the former players Allan Houston and John Starks; and the broadcasters Mike Breen and Gus Johnson.

Dozens of bouquets and wreaths lined the front of the room, a sea of reds, yellows and pinks, interrupted by one arrangement of orange, blue and white.

After friends and family shared stories of Donald Marbury’s life, they invited Rose — the Knicks’ elder statesman and conscience — to speak on behalf of the team. Rose walked onto the stage by himself. He was about 25 seconds into his remarks when the rest of the team, from Jamal Crawford to Eddy Curry, Quentin Richardson, David Lee and Renaldo Balkman, unexpectedly filed in behind him.

It was a powerful gesture, regardless of circumstances — but especially because of circumstances. The Knicks have not always stood together the last several seasons, on the court or in the locker room. It was only three weeks ago that they seemed ready to break apart.

Marbury had left the team last month over a disagreement with Thomas, and left his teammates feeling abandoned. There was an informal vote, and a unanimous agreement that Marbury should not be allowed to play when he returned.

Thomas overruled his players, and the fractured Knicks careered through an eight-game losing streak. They bottomed out with a 45-point loss in Boston. For five consecutive home games, Marbury has been booed at Madison Square Garden, an object of scorn in his hometown.

There was more pain off the court. Robert Williams, a childhood mentor of Marbury’s known as Mr. Lou, died Nov. 13. Marbury’s aunt Helen Thomas died six days later. It seemed that he had endured every imaginable heartbreak. Then, on Sunday evening, Donald Marbury left at halftime of the Knicks’ home game against the Phoenix Suns, complaining of chest pains. Moments after the game ended, Marbury learned that his father had died of a heart attack.

Suddenly, there are no locker-room divisions, only empathetic teammates trying to find the right words to console a grief-stricken friend. Rose cited a passage from Romans: “All things, both good and bad, happen for the good of all those who believe.”

When the service had ended, and the rest of the Knicks had filed out and boarded the team bus, three players stayed behind. Rose, Crawford and Lee had been asked by the family to serve as pall bearers. Each of them greeted Marbury with a warm hug. Crawford, perhaps his closest friend on the team, whispered a few words as they embraced, and Marbury patted Crawford’s head.

The Knicks have played 17 games but have seen enough sorrow and turmoil to last two seasons. For the moment, Marbury’s personal loss overshadows all, and there is no indication of when he will feel ready to play again. The Knicks will wait, respectfully, and then return to the task of rebuilding frayed relationships. Perhaps it began with 14 men standing shoulder to shoulder in a Coney Island church.

“Time heals all wounds,” Rose told the gathered mourners. “Just open up your heart and continue to trust God.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/sp...ts&oref=slogin

**USSKittyHawk** · 12-07-2007, 10:57 AM

**USSKittyHawk** · 12-07-2007, 10:59 AM

**USSKittyHawk** · 12-07-2007, 11:04 AM

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