Stephon Marbury ’s 13-year NBA career, which included two All-Star selections and two All-NBA Third Team nods, might not typically warrant Hall of Fame consideration in the eyes of many.
However, Shaquille O’Neal argues that any player capable of instilling fear in Allen Iverson deserves a place among basketball’s elite, regardless of their NBA accolades.
"He was a great high school player. He was a great college player… a great NBA player. I think you're Hall of Fame worthy, that’s coming from my heart," Shaq said on his podcast. "With no hesitation, the great A.I. said, 'I feared Stephon.' So when he said that, it just solidified what I said to you."
Shaq says Marbury shut his opponents up
The Big Aristotle’s claim is grounded in Marbury’s remarkable high school journey. In his senior year at Abraham Lincoln High School, ‘Starbury’ averaged 27.4 points and 8.3 assists per game to be named New York State Mr. Basketball. Then, his prowess continued at Georgia Tech, where he averaged 18.9 points and led the team to a 24-12 record en route to leading the team to the NCAA tournament’s regional semi-final. As a result, he was named to the All-American Third Team.
While ‘Coney Island’s Finest’s’ high point in the NBA would be his career scoring average of 19.3 points per game, his post-NBA achievements are more impressive. In the Chinese Basketball League, he averaged 21.6 points per game over nine seasons, secured three All-Satr nods, won three championships, a Finals MVP award, and an International MVP accolade, establishing himself as one of the league’s all-time greats.
Citing the same, Diesel contended that Marbury’s ability to unsettle opponents, combined with his success across different basketball landscapes, makes him a worthy Hall of Fame candidate.
"I remember, no disrespect, the great Bill Walton… he don't really have legendary numbers, " Shaq added. "However, if you go back to what he's done in high school, in college, you know his professional numbers don't matter. So, Stephon Marbury should definitely be in the Hall of Fame 'cause he was a bad mf (who) shut your mouth."
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Starbury cares the least about HoF
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is not exclusively focused on NBA achievements. As the name suggests, it honors excellence across all realms of basketball. Furthermore, in Stephon’s case, one needs to evaluate his entire basketball career - performances at various levels and in different leagues worldwide.
Interestingly, after a statue has already been built for his contributions to the CBA, the New York native feels content with that honor compared to getting recognition from Springfield, Massachusetts.
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