how i came to appreciate the enigma that is stephon marbury

Posted on | July 22, 2009 | Comments

Stephon Marbury high-five Thoughts on the now imfamous Stephon Marbury July 21st HAVE AT IT Ustream broadcast:

I’m not going to recap the whole thing, but if you weren’t there to see it (and if you weren’t, I honestly and sincerely PITY YOU because it was epic) — Ball Don’t Lie, Red’s Army and Banner 18? all did a great job of breaking it down. But, I will explain just exactly why it was so incredibly and ineffably awesome (and why it ultimately made me complete the 180 degree turn I was already making in terms of my opinion of him as a person).

First of all, it was just raw, gritty, balls out, truth spewing honesty. As someone who once worked in PR, I’ve really come to appreciate unfiltered honesty. Unfiltered honesty is what makes Shaq, Ron Artest and Charles Barkley so popular. So why wouldn’t it also make Steph more likable? Division 1 sperm? Are you kidding me? Priceless.

Secondly, it was incredibly funny and entertaining. The guy can time an answer and deliver a snarky quip with the best of them.

Finally and most importantly, he showed heart. There was a brief section where he started talking about his mother and what she means to him. I don’t recall the exact words, but I remember being touched by how sincerely he was speaking about his love and appreciation for her and all she’s done for him. He was basically like, “Don’t even get me started… that woman is the world to me.” If that doesn’t move you, you are made of cold heartless stone.

Ultimately though, he could’ve said nothing. He already had me at, “I have nothing but love for Boston.”

ps. For the record, I do realize that reading his tweets and watching his live streams do not qualify as truly knowing him as a person. Even though it all appears to be off-the-cuff stream of consciousness, I’m aware that he’s controlling his own spin and trying to change the public’s perceptive of him — which by definition is public relations. I’m ok with that. Whatever Starbury’s selling, I’m buying.

Steph 1, Haters 0