Former AND1 endorser Stephon “Starbury” Marbury wins Chinese Basketball Association championship

[Streetball’s Finest  – 4.10.12] – Former AND1 endorser Stephon “Starbury” Marbury wins Chinese Basketball Association championship

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Getty Images, China Daily, Johnfreeborn.com;  

Videos: c/o Youtube uploaders, I do not own those videos

Former NBA All-Star & And1 endorser and current import for the Beijing Ducks Stephon “Starbury” Marbury recently won the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) last March 30, 2012.  Having already established a huge following and rabid basketball fanbase, Marbury and his teammates won the best of seven series, 4-1, against the defending champions - Guangdong Hongyuan Southern Tigers.

During the title game, he registered 41 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists in leading the Ducks to their thrilling 124-121 Game 5 win.  Eventually, he averaged 33.4 points in that 5-game finals series, and was also the team’s emotional and spiritual leader, willing the team to their 1^st-ever CBA crown in franchise history (click HERE for the China Daily article).

[Author’s sidenote: I have been meaning to write a Stephon Marbury AND1 Baller Birthday blog feature two months ago (born Feb. 20, 1977) but my day job and other scheduling conflicts prevented me from doing so.  Luckily, his recent accomplishment gave me another opportunity to feature him in the And1 Ph blogsite.]

The CBA is the Chinese equivalent of our local PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) and is a professional basketball league established in the 1995 season.  Perennial powerhouse Guangdong Hongyuan, was led by former NBA Aaron Brooks as their import.

Unfortunately, while Marbury was able to put up MVP-like numbers, local league rules prevented him from taking home the MVP plum (since he is an import and not a local player).  The fans however, found a way for Marbury to hoist his very own MVP trophy via online polls (click HERE for related article).  Stephon has earned the respect, adulation and superstar status from the very appreciative Chinese basketball fanbase, and chants of “MVP” and “Marbury” can be consistently heard during his games.

Posted below some Youtube video highlights of Starbury’s games in the CBA.

I’ve also included some images and videos of vintage Marbury below, rocking And1 shoes during his brand endorsement days.  During his NBA career, he played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics, averaging 19.3 points per game over the course of a 13-year span.  The Coney Island-native is best known for his dazzling crossovers, quick first-step, pull-up jumpers and daredevil drives to the hoop.

And1 Finger Roll and Tai Chi Mid.

Silky Smooth Mids.

 

Starbury Mids and Quest Mids (and Tyronn Lue rocking the And1 Rise)

Quest Mids while playing for NY Knicks & Team USA in the 2004 Olympics

For more news about And1 both locally (Philippines) and internationally, check us out in Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) and on Twitter (@and1ph).  Big thanks to the China Daily website for their own published articles which served as additional references for this blogpost.  And that’s the 411, And Juan!