<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Stephon Marbury has missed 6 of the last 9 games, and Coach Isiah Thomas said Marbury would not make the trip to Charlotte, N.C., for Friday night's game against the Bobcats (9-14). Thomas said that Marbury's personal problems were related to his father's death. When asked if he was confident that Marbury could eventually return and contribute, Thomas paused and slowly said: "He's really having a rough time. You know, I just hope that he can come out of this because this has been a very difficult time. "We'll give him as much time as he needs. He's having a very difficult time." -- New York Times</div>
