Former NBA superstar and Youtube phenomenon Stephon Marbury led his Chinese team Beijing Ducks to their first-ever Chinese basketball championship, netting 41 points as the host team defeated the defending champions Guangdong Tigers 124-121 winning the finals 4-1.
Beijing / NationalTurk – When former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury accepted a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2009, he was a few weeks removed from an odd and at-times frightening online meltdown, becoming viral as fast as he used to be on the basketball court at times and a half-decade removed from basketball relevance. Based on the scope of his career arc at the time, it was just assumed that Stephon Marbury would grow sick of the expectations, and flame out overseas as he had during his fitful runs in Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix and New York.
Instead, 2 1/2 years later, Stephon Marbury is a champion. Marbury, Starbury dropped 41 in the 5th game of the CBA Finals, leading his Beijing Ducks to a 4-1 finals-series win over the title holders Guangdong Hongyuan. Marbury, a two-time NBA All-Star, has reinvented himself since arriving in China in 2009 following a tumultuous 13-year NBA career that saw supreme talent on the court but often poor behaviour off it and various spats with coaches and team-mates and finally with himself. Marbury has also embraced the Chinese culture while working to sell his “Starbury” brand of shoes and sports apparel with a “love is love” marketing campaign. This is the first title for both Stephon Marbury and the Ducks. And, as was the case when Stephon Marbury ascended to the CBA Finals two weeks ago, he broke down with tears of joy.
Stephon Marbury China experience crowned with championship
“This has been incredible, it has been an incredible experience,” a tearful Stephon Marbury said after winning his first major league championship in his proffesional career.
“This shows what this team is made up of, everyone stepped up and everyone played their role. We have been blessed as a team.” he added.
It’s been indeed a remarkable turnaround. Stephon can still be a little needlessly childish at times, but most were well within their rights to assume that Stephon Marbury’s time in China would either go as recklessly as his time in Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix or New York would; or that he would flame out anonymously, as was the case during his short stint with the Boston Celtics in 2009. It isn’t even as if Stephon Marbury was given a quick start to relish and keep him enthused, because his previous two CBA teams failed to make the playoffs.
Stephon Marbury China chapter over with tearful success ?
Marbury clearly is aware of his station, though, and loves China. The big minutes and shot attempts help, we’re sure, but Marbury got those in Minnesota, New Jersey and Phoenix and still wanted out. He’s comfortable, now, with a team and a league and a culture that embraces him. And, it’s interesting to note, that he can be a winner along the way.
Now … back to basics dear Stephon to unite with the asian phenemenon Jeremy Lin in one of the the biggest Asian populated cities in the globe, his hometown New York City ?
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