Wasted Talent

When I think about Stephon Marbury's career, I can't help hearing Lorenzo "the bus driver" from 'A Bronx Tale' in my ear.

For those of you who may have overlooked this gem of a film, 'A Bronx Tale' is the 1993 directorial debut of the brilliant Robert De Niro. The movie is set in New York City during the turbulent 1960s and follows the path of a young man guided by two distinctly different father figures, played by De Niro and Chazz Palminteri.

In one of the better scenes, Lorenzo (De Niro) tells his son Calogero (played by Lillo Brancato Jr.), "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."

The enigmatic Marbury has evidently never seen the film.

Professional sports is filled with underachievers like Marbury. Guys with unbelievable talent that throw it away on vices ranging from to women to drugs to plain old fashioned hubris.

I'm not sure if stupidity qualifies as a vice but if it does, Stephon should be headed to the next anonymous meeting with the other 12-steppers intent on turning their lives around.

Stephon Marbury has not played this season and has been at odds with new coach Mike D'Antoni.

Marbury has not played this season and has been at odds with new coach Mike D'Antoni, who had planned to use the Brooklyn native in a very limited role since...well...Marbury is a jackass.

Few blamed D'Antoni for wanting to go with guys with far less talent, and the early results were promising. The Knicks were finally turning things around, albeit slowly, and dreaming of the day they could make a run at LeBron James.

New York's roster situation changed dramatically last week when they began clearing cap space for the inevitable run at LeBron and dealt guards Jamal Crawford and Mardy Collins. So, D'Antoni needed Marbury, if only for a few games.

Instead of looking in the mirror, taking self-inventory and recognizing a chance to prove everyone who thinks he is a lost cause wrong, Marbury balked at playing and ripped the well-regarded D'Antoni in the process.

"I wouldn't trust him to walk my dog across the street," Marbury reportedly said of D'Antoni.

Personally, I think the canine would relish spending time with D'Antoni over Marbury if it had a choice.

The Marbury era in New York is mercifully coming to an end and the Knicks finally suspended the petulant one on Friday.

It was a toothless penalty considering the former All-Star guard was docked one game's pay and an additional 1/110th of his massive $21.9 million dollar salary for refusing to play against the Pistons.

"A player's central obligation is to provide his professional services when called upon," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said in making the announcement. "Because he refused the coach's request to play in the team's last game, we had no choice but to impose disciplinary action."

Marbury's central obligation is to himself.

Always has been. Always will be.

Wasted talent indeed.