Surreal Life: Starbury Italia

he can go there now and please take his relative, bassie with him.

His desire to return to Italy is the first intelligent thing I’ve ever heard him say. I’d love to retire to Italy, and I may in fact do so.

classic

That was the most insensitve and dumb rant from a fan I’ve heard in, well … at least three days. Why not take Marbury at his word, and what’s wrong with what he writes? Oprah uses her wealth and celebrity for commendable causes and nobody is telling her to forfeit what she makes from the talk show. Why ask Marbury to give up what he is contracted to earn. It’s not as if the guy is a stiff. He’s better than many a point guard around the NBA, even at age 32, and is certainly better than anyone the Celtics are suiting up.

Good fro him following a dream. He would dominate the Italian league and would be a huge star, or Starbury if you like. I think its a good idea for him, just like switching to a inferior league was a good idea for Beckham. New fans, new goals, new accomplishments.

I am so disappointed with this post… Of all the comments on Marbury’s blog, you chose the most ignorant (and overtly racist) one to post on celticsblog? I am curious as to why you left out the first line in that comment(Cocaine is a heluva drug)? Did anyone ever see him do drugs? How many times has he been arrested for commiting crimes?

It seems America’s sports culture can only view Black athletes as thugs and criminals. Hence a smart and positive guy like Marbury who doesn’t fit the thuggish mold has to be trashed somehow. We see him doing positive things and we’re genuingly surprised, even shocked. Why is that? Starbury? No way! He’s got to be on drugs!! He’s finally gone bonkers!!!

Compare Starbury’s outlook on life beyond basketball to that of Michael Jordan. Not even close:

http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/11/05/jordan/index.html

“According to Fortune magazine, Jordan’s endorsements constitute the greatest assemblage of sports sponsorships ever. But Jordan has shown little concern about the social implications of his sponsorships. He hardly batted an eye at the accusations of wage, labor and health abuses by Jordan-sponsor Nike in its treatment of employees in Southeast Asia… Former Charlotte, N.C., mayor Harvey Gantt, an African-American, twice ran and lost U.S. Senate challenges to unseat Jesse Helms. When approached by Gantt’s campaign for an endorsement, Jordan replied dismissively, "Republicans buy sneakers, too.”

I guess as long as Black athletes are either thugging, cating the fool, or not ruffling any white feathers, they’re ok. Marbury chooses to march to the beat of his own drum and make positive social change in the process, and we’re supposed to believe he’s lost his mind? Please…

Surreal life indeed!!!

Brickowski said:
[His desire to return to Italy is the first intelligent thing I’ve ever heard him say.]

Whoaa! You mean the affordable sneakers thing was dumb? If only Starbury was named Larry Legend. Hmmm…

What is wrong with you people. It was a funny response. Don’t go on a Jesse Jackson rant. Not everything has to have racist overtones.

The part you seem to be conveniently overlooking is the comparison “Starbury” (How does anyone call themselves that with a straight face) is making of himself to David Beckham. David an international star in the world’s biggest sport. If it wasn’t for the cheap sneakers, Marbury wouldn’t even be a blip on the NBA radar these days.

Lighten the heck up…

I can’t imagine being a player, posting for a blog, and then reading through the negative responses. I’ve a resonably thick skin, but that would wear me out in a hurry. I guess I’d have to have my agent handle it for me.

people sleep on stephon way too much. just cause he’s a shoot first point guard doesn’t make him a bad person

Jeff, am I the one pulling the race card or is it you? I raised what I considered to be legitimate concerns regarding the post.

Don’t get me wrong… as a Boston Celtics fan, I love your blog, your wit, and everything else you bring to the table. My comments merely reflect my perspective on that specific post. So rather than being dismissive with the “get a grip” comment, can you add any actual concrete substance to the questions/issues I posed…

Village Idiot, I think it started when you used the term “overtly racist.”

btw, that comment from the nypost reader was a little racist.

“After all, poor Italian youth are notorious for using basketball shoes as status symbols. They’re just begging for a 10 Euro basketball shoe, so they don’t have to shell out for the expensive Gucci ones.”

it seems like he was taking a shot at starbury for trying to give poor black kids a decent bball shoe for cheap money….anyways, the scientology line made me LOL.

Who in the hell cares.

I’m confused, dr_awesome. Are you troubled, like me, that the nypost reader was taking one of those all too frequent racist shots at Italians? Yes, modern society can be a sad, sad place.

no kidding said:
“Village Idiot, I think it started when you used the term "overtly racist.”

It’s funny how my primary point has completely been lost and the focus is now on the race sidenote. I had no idea that race is still such a delicate subject in Boston. So let’s take that out of the equation for a second… And if anyone feels offended, well, that wasn;t my intention. I thought I was raising some very pertinent issues with that particular post.

Let me rephrase my questions again… The poster accuses Starbury of being on drugs among other things… So what makes anything that Starbury said so outlandish as to be suggested he was on drugs or has lost his mind?

Village Idiot, please quote to me the exact language used by nypost reader that accuses Starbury of being on drugs. I can’t seem to see it.

I didnt think adding the comment was necessary. It wasn’t even very clever or funny.

Everyone’s a critic.

Hondo said:

Hondo Hondo Hondo… Did I say everything has to have a racist overtone? There are hundreds of posts on this blog, and how many of them have I suggested were racist? Why can’t I share my perspective with you on just ONE post without you putting the “you people” label on me? What makes you think I am a “you people” in the first place? And what has Jesse Jackson rants got to do with me anyway? What makes youy think there’s anything wrong with “you people”? You keep saying stuff like this and “you people” might begin to think you’re…

David Beckham’s nickname is “Becks” – I am guessing that name probably passes your name test? You can say that with a straight face? But I digress…

Let me guess… your radar somehow picked up on an angry “you people”? Ha ha ha…

Village Idiot, perhaps the notion that he can “make things affordable for everyone” would lead one to think he’s a user. His blog entry makes me think that Marbury is either on drugs or has a world view similar to the typical 9 year old. Help people? Sure. But make things better for everyone? Only one Man could ever do that.

Marbury has an unbelievable home, with several cars that cost more than the average person’s house does. Sorry, but when a guy lives in opulence but wants to talk about the world’s ills and injustices, I tend not to listen. If it were really that important to Marbury, he’d sell off his collection of Bentleys, get a small apartment, and use the proceeds to make things “affordable” for some impoverished NYC neighborhood. It really galls me when the incredibly wealthy have the audacity to pretend as though helping people means more to them than their $, yet in reality, they keep most of their $ and consider their contribution to the impoverished to be a PSA or commercial telling the middle-class that they need to give $ to those less fortunate.

As far as Jordan, I daresay Jordan has done his fair share in helping the less fortunate. Unlike many athletes, he doesn’t require a camera to be there in order for him to do it. And with respect to helping Gantt, maybe Jordan considered Gant a poor candidate? Obviously, the people of North Carolina did. Perhaps Jordan preferred the pro-business Helms to the socialist Gant. A healthy majority of North Carolinians did.

Jordan and people like him generally do more for people by the jobs they provide than any politician does with government aid, whether well-intentioned or not.

I won’t even mention the pathetic race card you played, other than to say it taints the credibility of anything else you want to say. I consider a false charge of racism as bad as racism itself. And that’s exactly what you did.

Jeff said:
“I honestly didn’t see the drugs part. That would lower the value of the post. I added a disclaimer. That should add plenty of clarity to my position. I consider this subject closed.”

Yes, that drug comment definately lowered the value of the post, and I appreciate you taking the time to address it. Sometimes it helps to talk through these kinds of issues, as misconceptions and potential misunderstandings are more likely to get cleared up.

no kidding said:
“Village Idiot, please quote to me the exact language used by nypost reader that accuses Starbury of being on drugs. I can’t seem to see it.”

Here ya go…
http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/knicks/archives/2007/07/the_starbury_bl_2.html#more

Cocaine is a helluva drug.

You’re so far gone, it’s hopeless. Scientologists wouldn’t accept you because you’re too crazy, even for them…

I love this blog. We can argue about anything. I think Marbury stinks as a point guard and is a loser on the court, but, jeez, the affordable sneaker thing is at least commendable. It would be nice if more athletes made an attempt to get the companies they work with to be a little more socially responsible.

In one year (I don’t remember which), Jordan actually made more money endorsing Nike than ALL the workers in the company’s Indian factories combined. Something does seem a little out of whack there.

Now, if I know Celticsblog, at least a few people will call me a Marxist for bringing that up.

Village Idiot,

I hadn’t thought to look at the original comment on the New York Post site. So yes, it was an improper drug remark directed at Starbury.

And yes, I like the general idea of marketing an endorsed, but inexpensive basketball shoe – regardless of whether Starbury makes a ton of money out of it, or not a nickle.

(And as I stated before, I admire how difficult it might be to post on a website as an athelete and open yourself up for a lot of needless abuse.)

TNCeltic said:
“Village Idiot, perhaps the notion that he can "make things affordable for everyone” would lead one to think he’s a user. His blog entry makes me think that Marbury is either on drugs or has a world view similar to the typical 9 year old."
 
TNCeltic… Thank you for your post. I would slightly disgree with you by saying that every single person has the right to dream big, no matter how ridiculous their dream might seem to others. The right to think freely, and apire to be whatever you want to be, is what sets America apart from any other country. America’s history is replete with people who dreamed like children and believed anything was possible, and whose ideas probably sounded crazy to their peers at the time. Marbury should be no exception, unless of course we are imposing some sort of low expectations on him because of who he is. Consider the posibility that our beloved Celtics have been mediocre for so long precisely because the people in charge don’t have a crazy enough worldview to develop lofty goals and achieve them. And no, tanking to win the draft lottery absolutely doesn’t count.

“Help people? Sure. But make things better for everyone? Only one Man could ever do that.”

In one breath, you took Marbury to task for claiming he wants to make things better for everyone, and in the next breath you say only one man could ever do that? Now, I am thinking you’re now the one sounding like you’re on drugs (or having the worldview of a 9-yr-old).

“Marbury has an unbelievable home, with several cars that cost more than the average person’s house does. Sorry, but when a guy lives in opulence but wants to talk about the world’s ills and injustices, I tend not to listen. If it were really that important to Marbury, he’d sell off his collection of Bentleys, get a small apartment, and use the proceeds to make things "affordable” for some impoverished NYC neighborhood. It really galls me when the incredibly wealthy have the audacity to pretend as though helping people means more to them than their $, yet in reality, they keep most of their $ and consider their contribution to the impoverished to be a PSA or commercial telling the middle-class that they need to give $ to those less fortunate."

You are beginning to sound like a bleeding heart liberal (sorry, but the libeterian in me just can’t help it.) Whatever wealth Marbury has acquired legally is his to do with as he pleases. I disagree with the notion that one has to deny themselves a life of confort and luxury if they are to be taken serioulsy as having the well being of others at heart.

“As far as Jordan, I daresay Jordan has done his fair share in helping the less fortunate. Unlike many athletes, he doesn’t require a camera to be there in order for him to do it. And with respect to helping Gantt, maybe Jordan considered Gant a poor candidate? Obviously, the people of North Carolina did. Perhaps Jordan preferred the pro-business Helms to the socialist Gant. A healthy majority of North Carolinians did.”

Agreed. But, please don’t confuse my earlier point as bring an either/or type thing. What I am trying to get across is… why can’t Marbury’s worldview be as ok as Michael’s, or yours, or mine? Why does Marbury have to be the crazy one because he wants to make things better for everyone. Is that such a terrible worldview to have?

“Jordan and people like him generally do more for people by the jobs they provide than any politician does with government aid, whether well-intentioned or not.”

Agreed again. However, MJ’s way does not, and should not diminish Marbury’s way. No one calls MJ crazy for the path he has chosen. Why is Marbury’s way not ok? Why can’t we accept both paths as ok? I think that we have to seek balance rather than necessarily having to choose between one or the other. Sometimes I think that our world shuns duality and seeks to reinforce polarity. People can be good and bad at the same time.

“I won’t even mention the pathetic race card you played, other than to say it taints the credibility of anything else you want to say. I consider a false charge of racism as bad as racism itself. And that’s exactly what you did.”

Herein lies the beauty of conversation, my friend. We are both bringing our perspectives to the table. You believe I made a false racism charge, while I believe I raised a legitimate point, which Jeff addressed to my satisfaction. Just for the record, I don’t consider either your view or my view as right or wrong – just different, and I am comfortable with both perspectives.

Now can we get back to being Celtics fans? I didn’t come all the way to America to see my beloved Celtics keep losing.

I just think ESPN should create a reality series – “The Starbury Movement” – of his time in Italy. That would be priceless. See Starbury do good deeds. See Starbury eat Italian food. See Starbury and his crew visit the Vatican. See Starbury and Bassy shopping in Milan. See Starbury get schooled by some Italian PG and consoled by his wife afterwards.

The entire comment was a joke – in very poor taste; and I agree that this statement “poor Italian youth are notorious for using basketball shoes as status symbols” is bent off the valuing of kicks by inner city cats (typically adfrican american) as status symbols. It doesn’t do anything to develop his comment and should have been skipped.

And as to beckham – lets not rate this guy as a top 20 player in the world. He’s a heluva baller with his best days behind him, but don’t overlook his – his wife, his style, his looks and charsima – all of which contribute as much if not more as his on field skills in regards to his popularity.

Brick, I am with you – one day I am Europe bound (ideally spain) – perhaps one day you, me, starbury can meet for a capucino…

I’ll be in Italy the first week of August. :P

I think people who rail on Marbury for wanting to play there are wrong. I’ll applaud him if he goes to play in Italy. It’s a free country, and it’s his life, so no one should tell him he’s crazy for doing something he wants to do. I remember Kobe saying the same things a few years back about Italy. He said he’d like to one day go back there and play professionally. I bet he someday does too.

BTW, Starbury should be commended for his work to make his $16 sneakers. I’m not a big fan of his, but you’ve got to give credit where it’s due.

Maybe it was just me, but I read that backhanded drug statement more of a “What are you on drugs?” type of remark. Not an actual accusation. You know when a friend says something you think is just crazy and you say that to them? And in reality, anyone who says they’re going to bring a movement to a Continent based upon his nickname has to be a bit off folks. The Starbury Movement? Really? Am I the only one who thinks he has to be joking or on drugs? OK, I’m kidding, but it does sound a bit self-indulgent for him to say that. NOW, if his agent says something ludicrous like that, taht’s a different story. Either way, it was damn funny.

Woah! Do people seriously have nothing better to do with their lives then get upset by this post? What do you do when the over breaks? Try to kill yourself? It was hilarious, and he IS looney tunes.

TNCeltic,
Unfortunately, your political commentary is no more astute than your comments on basketball. By your logic, if someone wants to give money to starving children in Guatemala, they would first need to give away all their possessions and live on less than a dollar a day in order to not be labeled a hypocrite. That’s ridiculous.

Also, Jordan’s record on charity is pretty pathetic. He established a charity in his name which he has never donated to. Its probably really unfair to blame him for Nike’s manufacturing practices, but he could have done something. Even Kathie Lee Gifford gave money to the Asian slave labor making her crap.

The Jordan ads were probably the first national campaign aimed at urban youth. That’s a good thing. But making those kids want to buy sneakers that neither they nor their parents can reasonably afford is pretty messed up. Again, this isn’t really Jordan’s fault. But you can’t turn around and criticize Marbury for recognizing that he was in a position to do something about this and then doing it. Yes, he’s a miserable basketball player, but he seems to want to do the right thing… and you are a punk if you think that makes him retarded or stoned.