MILWAUKEE (AP) - Stephon Marbury was in uniform for the New York Knicks against Milwaukee on Friday night, but passed on a chance to play for the first time this season.
Marbury has been relegated to the bench all season. But the Knicks traded away three players in two separate deals earlier Friday, forcing them to dress Marbury to have the league-mandated eight active players."We have eight able bodies," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said before the game. "That's what the league makes you have, so that's what we'll have."
Only seven played, though, in the Knicks' 104-87 loss to the Bucks, as Marbury again took his now-customary spot on the bench. D'Antoni said afterward that 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 Friday, New York 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 New York's top two scorers, Randolph and Crawford, suddenly out the door, D'Antoni said he offered Marbury the chance to play Friday, saying 30 to 35 minutes would be available.
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.
New York's new additions might not be available to play until Tuesday's game against Cleveland, leaving it considerably short-handed for the time being. The Knicks also play Saturday at home against Washington.
