Basketball legend and Coney Island native Stephon Marbury is bringing a “new style of play” back to the city that made him, as the Wellball VIP league makes its highly anticipated New York City debut tomorrow. Marbury, who will serve as a captain in the league, is set to headline the event alongside a roster of big-name guests, including former NBA player Wilson Chandler, rapper/podcaster Gillie Da Kid and former Indiana Pacer Lance Stephenson.
What is Wellball?
Wellball is being touted by Marbury as a revolutionary take on the sport. The league is built around a simple, fundamental truth about the game: shooting!
“Everybody wants to shoot,” Marbury told me by phone.
“Wellball, I believe will be the next… the next wave of how people are able to compete and still do something that they love to do.”
This format, Marbury notes, allows everyone the “opportunity” to shoot, while also serving as a rigorous conditioning tool. “It’s a conditioning aspect inside of it as well,” he said.
“So I think being able to create something like this for people who love basketball from any age, it gives everybody the opportunity to still play.”
Star-Studded Debut
Marbury is particularly excited about the inclusion of his fellow Coney Island native, Lance Stephenson, who recently won a Big 3 championship.
“Lance, everyone knows he’s a character, somebody who’s fun and, you know, controversial, but he’s a guy who can bring a lot of flair and excitement to something like this.”
Marbury also highlighted the competitive spirit that rapper and comedian Gillie Da Kid will bring.
“Gillie, you know, he’s a guy that loves basketball, funny, comedian, rapper… but more importantly, he loves the game, he loves playing, you don’t talk a lot of smack, which is what this is all about, because it’s a competitive sport where without literally playing any defense.”
Marbury’s Take on the NBA Landscape
The conversation shifted to the current NBA season, where Marbury offered sharp, quote-worthy insights on his former teams and the league’s biggest names.
The New York Knicks’ Title Hopes
The New York Knicks have entered the 2025-2026 season with genuine championship aspirations. The team’s reinforced depth, highlighted by key veteran additions and the hiring of new Head Coach Mike Brown looks impressive so far. The team’s roster of stars that includes their core of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns is looking to contend for the Eastern Conference crown and a trip to the NBA Finals.
For a franchise that hasn’t won a title since 1973, anything less than their best postseason performance in decades will be viewed as a disappointment to many.
Marbury is decidedly bullish on the direction of the Knicks under their current coach, praising their “new makeup and style that we’re playing.”
“I’m very excited,” he shared.
“I like our team… I think, with the new coach, with Coach Brown, it’s going to be another challenge for him… I think he knows that the only thing that New York wants is a championship.”
He lauded the team’s commitment to ball movement and aggressive defense:
“I like the style that he’s bringing to the team as far as us moving the basketball, cutting, passing, getting the ball from one side of the court to the other side of the court. We have a bunch of guys that can play well enough to help lead us towards a W each and every night.”
Karl-Anthony Towns’ health is arguably the most critical factor for the Knicks to achieve their championship aspirations. KAT’s unique skill set as an All-NBA shooting big man is irreplaceable in their system. As the primary floor-spacer and secondary star alongside Jalen Brunson, his presence unlocks the team’s offense, creating driving lanes and forcing opposing defenses to guard five players on the perimeter.
Marbury stressed the absolute necessity of health for their star big man and the team overall. “The most important thing for us is to stay healthy, for him [Karl-Anthony Towns] to stay healthy,” he said.
“KAT has to embrace the physicality again and I think he has to be tougher in certain situations. But the skill and the ability, you can’t deny.”
Marbury also discussed Carmelo Anthony. Now a television analyst on the NBA on NBC, Anthony’s return to his New York roots as a Knick saw him embrace the spotlight of Madison Square Garden, where his masterful isolation scoring and signature jab step became appointment viewing for fans eager for a superstar.
Anthony was rightfully honored with his enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this summer as a first-ballot inductee, celebrating a decorated career that included 10 All-Star selections and three Olympic gold medals.
Marbury discussed the chances of the New York Knicks retiring Carmelo Anthony’s jersey.
Marbury was definitive:
“I think he means a lot to the organization… I do think that his jersey should be retired. I think that he’s done a lot for the sport, for the game. His style of play was his style of play. It was his own style which can’t be duplicated.”
Carmelo Anthony delivered some of the franchise’s most memorable moments of the last decade, including the 2012-2013 scoring title and setting the all-time single-game Knicks and Garden scoring record with an explosive 62 points. Cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greatest scorers,
Marbury on Julius Randle’s Mental Game
Julius Randle was traded from the New York Knicks to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal just before the start of last season that included him and Donte DiVincenzo heading to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. His move to the Timberwolves for the 2024-2025 season saw his role shift alongside the established duo of Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, resulting in reduced averages of 18.7 points, 7.1rebounds, and 4.7 assists over 69 games, though he finished the season strong and contributed to Minnesota’s deep playoff run.
Randle truly broke out during his tenure with the New York Knicks, where he transformed his game, notably improving his three-point shooting and playmaking. His standout 2020–2021 season earned him the NBA Most Improved Player Award, his first of three NBA All-Star selections and a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.
While Randle anchored the Knicks before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, maintaining his status as a key frontcourt contributor in the league, more recently, the former Kentucky Wildcat has been candid about the significant mental toll he experienced during his tenure with the Knicks, especially toward its conclusion. He described the end of his time in New York as his “darkest moment,” feeling “miserable” and not having fun going to work every day. Randle felt he was battling “a million different things” under the intense scrutiny of the New York media and fanbase, where he felt a need to be perfect every day and was constantly judged for every turnover or bad moment. He admitted to turning to marijuana to cope with feelings of being “very frustrated and angry,” which his wife noted made him distant and not present. Following his trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Randle found a “breath of fresh air,” a feeling of being “settled” and a recovery of his joy for basketball, crediting therapy and quitting marijuana for helping him achieve a “clear mind” and a better work-life balance.
When asked about Julius Randle’s recent play, Marbury focused on the mental toll of playing in New York versus a less-scrutinized market.
“Clearly we found out, you know, that he had some issues when he played in New York from the amount of pressure that was on him,” shared Marbury.
Marbury has been open about his severe struggles with mental health during the end of his NBA career, revealing he suffered from clinical depression and was suicidal due to the immense pressure with the Knicks, struggles with his Starbury brand and the death of his father. His emotional distress was publicly visible during a highly publicized 2009 live-stream incident, which was a cry for help often misunderstood at the time.
“I think in Minnesota, you can see that he was free flowing,” he said.
“I think, you know, for a guy like that with that much talent. It’s always gonna come down to his mental.”
Marbury began his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who acquired his draft rights in 1996 and paired him with second-year player Kevin Garnett. The young duo was immediately successful, leading the franchise to its first two NBA playoff appearances in 1997 and 1998.
Nets Talent: Cam Thomas and Fit
While Marbury is remembered in New York City for his time as a Knick, the Brooklyn basketball legend also played for the New Jersey Nets from 1999 to 2001 where he developed into an All-Star caliber player. During his time with the Nets, Marbury averaged strong numbers, including 23.0 points and 8.1 assists per game over 172 contests. During that time he was selected as an All-Star in 2001.
The former Net shared that he is a fan of current Net Cam Thomas and his scoring prowess. Thomas’ core skillset is centered on his prolific three-level scoring, with an exceptional ability to create his own shot and put the ball in the basket in bunches, evidenced by him becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 40+ points in three consecutive games.
“The guy can flat out score,” said Marbury.
“He can flat-out score…I think he’s one of those dudes that should be making big money. I don’t think that he should be making the amount of money that he’s making.”
Thomas’ contract situation with the Nets was a point of contention, as he signed a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer for the 2025-2026 season after failing to agree on a long-term extension, which some reports suggest he declined in favor of hitting unrestricted free agency next summer.
This scenario, where he prioritized a no-trade clause and control over his future, reflects a polarizing perception of him around the league, with many acknowledging his “bucket-getting” talent while detractors view him as an “empty calories, ball-hog” due to a historic lack of consistent playmaking and defense, though he has recently shown signs of improving his assist numbers and all-around game.
Jalen Green’s Fit with the Suns
Jalen Green’s pairing with Devin Booker forms one of the NBA’s most explosive, score-first backcourts in the NBA.
With the Suns looking to remain a contender in the Western Conference under head coach Jordan Ott, Green’s elite athleticism and scoring ability is seen as a potent complement to Booker’s all-around offensive brilliance.
Marbury, who was traded to the Suns from the Nets in a blockbuster trade for Jason Kidd in 2001 quickly identified the primary challenge: the need for Green’s adjustment alongside Devin Booker. “Pretty much you got Booker and you got him,” he said.
“Two guys that basically do the same thing, score. So, you know, how they figure that out. And Booker is the man, clearly. He’s a centerpiece.”
Marbury emphasized that Green needs to establish his role immediately, utilizing his elite physical gifts: “I think he has to define his role right away,” he said.
“As far as him using all of his capabilities of his speed, his athleticism, you know, his ability to score the basketball. He has to put that into that point guard slot. His athleticism definitely separates him.”
The LeBron James Effect
LeBron James’ NBA future is defined by his unprecedented longevity and continued elite production, even as he enters his 23rd season at age 40. Currently playing on a $52.6 million expiring contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, the four-time champion has acknowledged the end of his career is “sooner than later” but remains uncommitted to a retirement date, leaving open the possibility of entering unrestricted free agency next summer. While he remains a top-tier player when healthy, any final decision will likely hinge on his physical well-being and the Lakers’ ability to genuinely contend for a championship.
This uncertainty has fueled major speculation, with numerous contenders reportedly keeping an eye on his situation. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and even the LA Clippers have been mentioned as potential landing spots, whether via a mid-season trade or as a free-agent destination where he could chase one final title.
Stephon Marbury believes that James can “fit in anywhere,” but stressed the colossal impact he has on any organization, calling him “probably the best athlete that we’ve ever seen.”
“He commands so much,” Marbury tells ScoopB.com.
“I mean no matter what he’s still LeBron James. He’s one of the best basketball players to ever play. You know, some organization will make an adjustment for him. I mean he changes the economy based upon him playing where he plays. So it’s not just about basketball, it’s way bigger than basketball.”
Asked about a hypothetical Dallas Mavericks team with LeBron, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Cooper Flagg, Marbury was direct about their immediate success: “I mean, you put him on that team, they’re contenders,” he told me.
He explained that given LeBron’s age, a team with such firepower would be perfectly suited to his longevity. “I think with playing; for him, he needs to be with a group of guys like that in order to be able to sustain and not have to do so much at that age,” he said.
“Every time we get on the basketball court, literally you’re management maintenance.”
He concluded that Dallas is a perfect basketball fit for James: “Dallas is a team that he will be more suited for where he doesn’t have to take on that much of the load.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Future
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is also a central topic of NBA speculation, as the two-time MVP has a stated priority of being on a team that gives him a chance to win a championship. His current contract with the Milwaukee Bucks is scheduled to run through the 2027 season, including a player option for the 2028 season valued at $66.8 million.
While Antetokounmpo has expressed love for the Bucks, he has also acknowledged the business of the league and has not completely shut down the idea of a trade if the team’s championship aspirations fall short. Numerous teams, including the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks, have been mentioned in various trade rumors as potential destinations should the Bucks opt to move him.
However, Antetokounmpo has consistently stated that his goal is to win, and he has recently doubled down on his confidence in the current Bucks team.
When asked about his thoughts on the Knicks potentially going after the Greek Freak, Marbury quickly dismissed the idea of the Knicks trading for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, arguing the team is already complete. “Yeah, I think we’re set,” he said.
“I think we’re set. I think we have enough to win the championship. Our style of play fits for the guys that are playing our style to play… He’s not a great three-point shooter… And we… shoot threes, a lot of threes.”
The Next Frontier: Robotics and Tech
Stephon Marbury’s business ventures are deeply connected to his time and success in China, where he has become a celebrated figure after winning three championships in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). His most famous endeavor is the Starbury sneaker line, which he launched in 2006 with a social mission to offer “NBA quality” basketball shoes at an inexpensive price, originally around $15, to make quality footwear accessible.
The Starbury brand faced a setback when its original retail partner filed for bankruptcy, but Marbury has expressed a desire to revive the line, leveraging the lessons and business acumen he gained, particularly from his extensive stay in China where the shoes were manufactured.
More recently, Marbury has taken on the role of Chief Brand Officer for Chamelo Eyewear, a venture that showcases innovative technology. Chamelo’s products include smart sunglasses with patented technology that features instant color-changing lenses and some models also include built-in speakers and a microphone for Bluetooth audio.
As Marbury continues to build his legacy across various fields, including his venture with Chamelo glasses, he revealed his next major focus: technology and robotics. “Now I’m going into robotic space,” he shared.
“That is the future to me. I think that that is the new wave, humanoids. I think that that’s something that, you know, you can’t deny. So technology and robotics, those are the two things that have been my focus.”
