China - I will be back, Marbury tells Chinese fans
Former NBA All Star Stephon Marbury, the highest profile American import to China's domestic league, said he would return to the country after a hugely popular stint with Shanxi. The 33-year-old former Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, New York Knicks and Boston point guard finished his two-month spell on a high with an MVP performance in China's All Star Game last Sunday.
From www.nytimes.com
Download source here
Former NBA All Star Stephon Marbury, the highest profile American import to China's domestic league, said he would return to the country after a hugely popular stint with Shanxi.
The 33-year-old former Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, New York Knicks and Boston point guard finished his two-month spell on a high with an MVP performance in China's All Star Game last Sunday.
The New Yorker's average of 22.9 points and 9.5 assists in his 15 regular season games failed to drag Shanxi into the playoffs, however, and he has yet to agree a new deal with the Taiyuan-based team.
"I will always remember the All-Star night," Marbury told the Beijing News. "I will be back. Probably this summer, I want to open a training camp. The new contract with Shanxi is not completed."
There is always the possibility of a return to the NBA as well. He turned down a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics last year, preferring instead to concentrate on his business interests.
"I might come back to play in the CBA or play in the NBA it depends on the situation," he told Sina.com before last weekend's All Star game.
Away from court, Marbury spent much of his time in China promoting his "Starbury" brand of shoes and sales in China's booming athletic apparel market may also influence his decision.