One of the game’s most dynamic talents has embraced his move to the Valley of the Sun. The Phoenix Suns acquired the then 24-year-old playmaker Stephon Marbury from the New Jersey Nets in a blockbuster trade involving Jason Kidd on July 18, 2001… At 6-2, 180 lbs., Marbury, a.k.a. “Starbury,” is regarded as one of the most explosive guards in the NBA and is a fearless scorer who can carry a team down the stretch… Along with Oscar Robertson, is the only player in league history with career averages of 20 points (20.5) and 8.0 assists (8.2) entering the 2003-04 season and Robertson had 25.7 ppg, 9.5 apg… He is a master at breaking down the defense with his lightning quick first step and his range extends to the three-point line (career .315 3PT FG)… In only his second season in Phoenix, Starbury carried the Suns to the postseason and was the only player in the NBA ranked in the top 12 in points (12th, 22.3) and assists (4th, 8.1)… Marbury, who grew up in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, NY, home to the world famous Nathan’s restaurant and Astroland amusement park, has long been regarded as a future NBA superstar. He was named the 1995 High School Basketball Player of the Year, and after just one season at Georgia Tech elected to turn pro… At 19 years of age, he was picked fourth in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, who promptly traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal for the No. 5 overall pick, Ray Allen… Marbury enjoyed a stellar rookie season leading the T-Wolves to their first-ever postseason appearance and finished second behind Allen Iverson in voting for Rookie of the Year honors… The Timberwolves, feeling it was unlikely that they could retain Marbury once he became a free agent in the (more…)