Bucks 104
Knicks 87 Suddenly faced with a short bench after his team completed two trades earlier in the day, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni gave guard Stephon Marbury the chance to play for the first time this season. Marbury said no.
The short-handed Knicks went on to lose 104-87 to the Milwaukee Bucks last night, using a seven-player rotation as Marbury again took his now-customary spot on the bench. D'Antoni said afterward he wanted Marbury to play, but wasn't mad at him and didn't consider his decision insubordination.
"But that's enough of the talk, because it is a distraction, and we need to go forward," D'Antoni said. "We've got a new team coming in."
Indeed they do.
Earlier yesterday, the Knicks traded Jamal Crawford to Golden State for forward Al Harrington, then sent Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Cuttino Mobley and forward Tim Thomas.
With the Knicks' top two scorers, Randolph and Crawford, suddenly out the door, D'Antoni said he offered Marbury the chance to play last night.
Why did Marbury refuse?
"The only thing I'm at liberty to say is that I was told that they were moving forward, and I'm not the person who chooses who plays or doesn't," Marbury said.
But wasn't that at the beginning of the season?
"I was told that today, too," Marbury said.
Marbury refused to answer additional questions.
