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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:49 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2008

NBA: Knicks order Marbury to stay away from practices, games

By Erik Matuszewski
Bloomberg News Service

The New York Knicks ordered guard Stephon Marbury to stay away from the team until his future is resolved.

The 31-year-old hasn't appeared this season for the Knicks, who want to buy out the former All-Star guard's contract and end his five-year stay at the National Basketball Association team.

"We have directed Stephon not to participate in practice or attend games until further notice," Knicks General Manager Donnie Walsh said in a statement after meeting with Marbury and playersí union attorney Hal Biagas today. "We want to continue to meet with him to discuss a long-term resolution."

Marbury has balked at taking a cut in his $21.9 million contract. Last week, he was suspended without pay for one game and fined another gameís salary because the team said he declined to play in a loss to Detroit when asked by coach Mike D'Antoni. Marbury denied refusing to play.

The Knicks, who have an 8-8 record in D'Antoni's first season, have been down to two healthy point guards over the past week while waiting to complete trades for Cuttino Mobley, Al Harrington and Tim Thomas.