Real GM:Newsday - Stephon Marbury's anticipated return to the Knicks' lineup is a definite maybe.
Before the Knicks' first practice after the All-Star break, Marbury said he plans to play against Miami's Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden even though his sprained left shoulder is not completely pain-free. But when coach Larry Brown heard Marbury isn't fully recovered, he advised caution, saying his point guard's status would be determined in practices last night and today.
"We gave him as much time as we possibly could, but the doctors aren't going to let him play if they think he's going to do any damage," said Brown, who returned from a brief vacation just before the 7 p.m. practice and had not yet spoken to Marbury. "So we'll just get straight about what's going on. From what they tell me, it's about pain."
Marbury suffered the injury Jan. 16 when Wally Szczerbiak, with Minnesota at the time, blindsided Marbury with a hard pick. He missed three games, then tried to play through the pain in the next five games. He suffered a bruised left shoulder and aggravated the original injury Jan. 31 against the Lakers, and sat out the next eight games. The Knicks were 1-10 without him.
