thejournalnews:The odd couple is getting along famously.
Larry Brown was downright effusive yesterday while praising the contribution of Stephon Marbury, which is a sign the stubborn coach is beginning to appreciate what the independent playmaker can do with a basketball.
It's becoming a two-way street.
"We've got a lot of guys that are playing at a very high level and I think it really starts with Stephon," Brown said while explaining the genesis of a five-game winning streak. "He's been great."
There was plenty more to come.
"I always read about me being tough on point guards," Brown said. "I think any time you're a point guard in this league, coaches demand a lot from you. I'd rather raise the bar for my players than lower it. The sky's the limit for him because he does want to do what's right. We just gotta figure out ways to help him."
Marbury is averaging 24.2 points and 9.4 assists over the last five games.
He's putting pressure on the defense and creating opportunities for teammates by attacking the rim. Nobody's complaining. He's finally reached a middle ground where Brown is comfortable.
"I'm just getting a lot more aggressive, forcing the issue a lot more as far as taking the ball to the basket," Marbury said. "I think coach understands I'm not the typical point guard. I'm not the point guard who goes out and gets 20 assists."
Still, the ball is moving.
"I just think he's much more relaxed," Brown said. "He looks like he's having fun. I don't think he gets down. It just seems like he's playing with a lot of confidence."
Marbury wants no part of a controversy at this point. Life is good considering the Knicks went 7-21 to start the season. A terse no comment was issued when he was asked whether there was still a need to be unleashed. Marbury requested permission to play like Allen Iverson back in November.
"I'd like to see him off the ball once in a while, but I don't call that shooting guard," Brown said. "He's playing like a point guard. I'm just really encouraged by what he's done. I think he needs to be in a position to take a lot of shots because he's such a threat, and he's playing so unselfishly that he'll get other people shots as well."
