MARBURY TO SIT OUT THIS SEASON AN RETURN 2010-2011

Stephon Marbury says he has "shut everything down" and has no plans to play this season, but expects to return to the NBA in 2010-11, the New York Post reported. Marbury, who played part of last season with the Boston Celtics after his messy divorce from the New York Knicks ended with a buyout, went unsigned as a free agent this offseason after turning down Boston's $1.3 million veteran minimum offer.

"I'm resting, doing what Michael Jordan did, enjoy life, do things I haven't done in 16 years, keep building my empire," Marbury said, according to the Post. "I wasn't going to Boston for that money. It was a prudent business decision to take off this year."

Marbury said he plans to attend the Knicks' home opener on Oct. 31, according to the report. But he says he's surprised anyone else wants to pay to see the Knicks. And he made it clear that the bad blood between him and the team and coach Mike D'Antoni has not yet been forgiven or forgotten.

"I'm just talking as a fan and New Yorker who grew up loving the Knicks: Why would I give you my money to watch them?" Marbury said, according to the Post. "This is atrocious. Guys coming down court, just raising up 3-pointers from anywhere. The coaching is horrible. What kind of coaching is this?"

- Jason