| 25 February 2009
They know the same neighborhoods. They know the same ways of the world. And they know the way of life that they embody and live is not something that the other will ever give in to. They know that they're enemies that can't get through to the other one. They know that there will always be a struggle between the two. One is the idealistic teacher who is looking to change the world and stand up for what is right. The other is an unwilling student who believes in exacting the same pain that he grew up experiencing.
Trevor tried to use his words and remain calm to get through to Cesar. He was no-nonsense in his approach but ultimately caring and looking for the greater good to shine through Cesar. Cesar wouldn't have it and wanted to torture Trevor into stooping down to his level. And that's where this scenario from the movie 187 has brought us; we're at a crossroads.
The tension has been building up to an unspeakable point. It feels like Reservoir Dogs in the fact that through so much torture, pain, and uneasiness you know that there has to be a big blowout to resolve the issues at hand. There's no mediation that can fix this dispute. There isn't a period of everyone just go to their respective corners so that cooler heads can prevail. It's time for a showdown and for Trevor and Cesar, that showdown will take place at a kitchen table with a revolver and a test of bravado to show who the stronger person is.
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And isn't that where we are with the Stephon Marbury situation? Trying to prove who the stronger person is? Stephon Marbury seems set on proving himself, how great he is and how much he should still be feared on a basketball court. He's spent the last decade trying to prove this and he's been completely unreachable in this time. Flip Saunders couldn't get through to him. Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas couldn't do it either. Mike D'Antoni gave up trying to get through to him (twice).
(Quick side note: Maybe it's the stereotyper in me but did anybody else find it strange that this gangbanger from the streets of L.A. would make a Deer Hunter reference? Would that be like someone from Spy Kids 4D making a reference to a T.I. music video?)
But despite all of this evidence that couldn't be more incriminating and couldn't be more damaging to his character and image, Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics organization are willing to play the role of Trevor Garfield for the next three and a half months. They believe that they can break the cycle of malcontentness (made that word up) and overall detrimental behavior. They believe that they can get through to this student through their no-nonsense approach and turn him into a productive member of the NBA society as they look to repeat as NBA champions for the first time in 30 seasons.
And where is it going to leave them? At some point, Stephon Marbury will grow tired of his reserve role with the organization because he fully believes he's a better player than Rajon Rondo. He still thinks of this as a street game where you challenge someone one-on-one to prove that you're better. He lost the concept of a team game a long time ago (if he every had it). The Celtics are already at the table, spinning the chamber, and pulling the trigger three times before Marbury takes a turn. They're pulling the trigger by taking on this nearly omni-banished player and the undying questions from the media that will focus on him instead of the team's title push. They're pulling the trigger with their young point guard by putting this walking distraction one slot behind him on the depth chart. And they're pulling the trigger by assuming that Kevin Garnett and Stephon will be able to handle each other and find common ground for the greater good.
And when does Marbury take his turn with the revolver? Will he pull the trigger in the first round of the playoffs if they struggle to put away a lesser team on the road like what happened with Atlanta last year? Will Marbury take his turn then by spinning the chamber and spouting off to the media that he needs to be given a chance in crunch time? Will it be him taking ill-advised shots if he gets into a pissing match with LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? Will it be from being a magnet for media questions that thirst for a controversial comment from an all to easy target? When does Marbury spin the chamber and show how much of a man he is?
The most telling line from this scene is when Sam Jackson tells Cesar that the gang member only respects stupidity. He says, "Are you willing to die for stupidity, Cesar? Because I am if it will teach you something." And that's what Bostonians potentially have on their hands here. The Celtics are willing to die for stupidity because they believe that they have the structure, discipline and the veterans to make this addition work for the greater glory of the hallowed Celtics franchise.
But what happens when Marbury is willing to die for stupidity? What happens when he IS willing to show that his way is best even if it means the Celtics will not win a title?
I'll tell you what will happen. The Celtics will take Marbury's turn, pull the trigger, and hear a loud bang as their season dies instantly.
And unfortunately, Marbury will never learn anything from it.
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