Steph's not down on Brown

nydailynews:One victory - not to mention 27 points - is all it took for Stephon Marbury to declare that he is thrilled to be playing for Larry Brown.

Five days after expressing frustration with his role in Brown's offense, Marbury told reporters yesterday that two New York tabloids were responsible for blowing the story out of proportion by claiming that Marbury and Brown were feuding.

"There's no problem," Marbury said. "That was (two reporters) that need a story. I love playing for Coach. It's the best thing that ever happened to me as far as being a pro."

After being outscored 42-4 by Kobe Bryant, Marbury complained that he couldn't be as aggressive as he would like to be in Brown's offense. He then asked Brown to move him to shooting guard. The head coach countered that as the Knicks' point guard, Marbury can still be aggressive but that he must also get his teammates involved.

"I felt it was something that I could do to help the team and people went with it as a negative," Marbury said. "When I say something it's powerful, obviously. From what I heard it was on the back page."

Brown apparently took Marbury's comments as a negative because Brown pointed out that Marbury didn't complain about his role after taking only 10 shots in a win at Utah. On Sunday, Marbury scored 27 points on just 16 shots in the Knicks' victory over the Blazers. When he left the game in the fourth quarter, he received a loud ovation.

"I know how much New York loves to win," Marbury said. "I'm from New York and for me to explain my frustration of losing and not playing the way I'm capable of playing, it's tough. I love the city and I know the city loves me. For me to come out on the basketball court and not give my all, it's not a good feeling."

One victory - not to mention 27 points - is all it took for Stephon Marbury to declare that he is thrilled to be playing for Larry Brown.