<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">?I live and die with that man. If he misses, I?ll never second-guess those shots. I want the ball in his hands.? ? Herb Williams "On any given night, he can be the best player in this league. And you have to respect that." ? Miami?s Shaquille O?Neal SEASON HIGHS: POINTS: 45 (March 29 at Lakers) ASSISTS: 19 (April 10 at Indiana) REBOUNDS: 8 (Dec 26 vs. Charlotte) 30+ SCORING GAMES: 18 40+ SCORING GAMES: 1 10+ ASSIST GAMES: 25 THE SEASON Big Apple?s own made his first full season in New York perhaps the best and most consistent of his nine-year NBA career. . .Started all 82 games and averaged team-highs 21.7 ppg (15th in NBA), 8.1 apg (fourth), and 1.49 spg (17th) over 40.0 mpg (sixth in League). . .Shot a career-best .462 from the field (604-1308 FGA). . .Recorded a career-high .834 from the line (458-549 FTA) and authored three 20+ FTM streaks (29 straight from Nov 13-24, 24 straight from April 14-20 to close season, and 22 straight from March 4-13). . .Nailed a career-high 115 3 PT FG, going 115-325 (.354) from Downtown and falling just shy of career-best 3 PT FG pct. . .Averaged 3.0 rpg and had 18 games with at least five boards. . .Named tri-captain of his hometown team (w/ Allan Houston and Kurt Thomas) on Oct 7, 2004. Led Knicks in scoring 43 times, assists 75 times. . .Recorded 47 20+ scoring games,18 30+ games and one 40+ effort (season-high 45 points at Lakers, March 29). . .Had double-digit points in 80 of his 82 games (lone single-digit games were 9 pts at Memphis, Dec 7; 7 pts at Cleveland, Jan 8). . .Second in the NBA in total assists (668, third-highest mark of career) and notched 25 double-figure assist games. . .Had 18 games with at least 10 FTA. Ranks fourth on all-time Knicks career list in scoring average (21.0 ppg, minimum 100 games played) and sixth in FT pct. (.834, minimum 200 FTM). . .Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for period ending Jan 2. . .Recorded five straight 30+ scoring games, Feb 4-11, two shy of club record. . .Went 133 minutes without a turnover in a span from March 23-28. . .Only Knick to appear in all 82 games, extending his streak to 244 consecutive games played. . .With career averages of 20.6 ppg, 8.3 apg, Stephon joins legendary Oscar Robertson (25.7 ppg, 9.5 apg) as only players in NBA history to average 20+ points and 8+ assists. Turned in a host of personal milestones. . .Scored 12,000th career point on Nov 13 at Indiana, 13,000th career point on Feb 14 at Philadelphia. . .Played in 600th career game on Dec 7 at Memphis. . .Notched 5,000th career assist on Dec 12 vs. Denver, 2,000th career rebound on March 28 at Golden State. . .Logged his 25,000th career minute on March 21 vs. San Antonio.</div> Knicks.com I think overall Marbury?s had a good season this year. He?s been an all-star caliber player for us even though there are some things I wish he improved on more to his game. While my people consider Marbury selfish (many of those who don?t watch him but listen to what the media feeds them), he was the exact opposite of that this season and his whole two years with the Knicks. I only really have a couple of problems with Marbury starting with his defense. Stephon Marbury?s defense has been horrible this season. He is completely capable of staying in front of his man with his strength, quickness, and speed, but he just simply underachieves in this category. He and Crawford are one of the reasons why the Knicks? perimeter defense is so putrid. When Marbury scores his points, it?s as if he?s giving them right back after his man scores on him. If he stepped up his defense to just average, than I would be completely satisfied, but his absence on the D is one of the many reasons why many want him gone. Secondly, Marbury is nonexistence in the final seconds. As the Knicks make a run to cut a lead down, Marbury would usually be the catalyst in doing so. Usually he would have the hot hand in the 4th quarter but in the waning seconds of the game, he won?t want to touch the ball. We?ve seen this on many occasions and him not stepping up as the captain and leader of the team really hurt the Knicks. Passing it to ice cold players such as Tim Thomas seem to be on Marbury?s final second agenda. Other than that, I think Marbury?s had a good year. He is often times the victim of much criticism from the media and those who demote him from what he is: a no defense playing 20 points 8 assists machine, really don?t know him and/or haven?t seen him play on a consistent 82 game season. Hopefully Marbury can learn from mistakes and continue to work on his game?that is if he?s still around.
