Starbury, um, Stephon Marbury gets attention at Lakers-Knicks

Exiled Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury was courtside at the Lakers-Knicks game at Staples Center last night, and he attracted quite a bit of attention. He was suspended last month as the Knicks work toward a buyout on his contract.

The Times' Corina Knoll was at the game and said the 31-year-old with the $20.9-million contract sat quietly just behind the Laker Girls and directly diagonal from his teammates. He does not travel with the team but has been working out in L.A., so decided to go to the game.

In a courtside interview on Fox Sports West during the game, he seemed to talk more about his shoe line than about anything else. He did say, however, that being kicked off the team has been great.

"I'm earning my check by doing nothing. ... I'm getting healthy. ... This has been great for me," he said. Then he talked about Starbury Inc.'s new sneakers that are out.

He also claimed to have bought a ticket to sit where he did. Hard to believe that, but that's what he said.

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Stephon Marbury is doing what he did a lot of during the game last night -- talking on his cellphone. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times