Lincoln’s Bobby Hartstein has coached Stephon Marbury longer than anyone – four seasons at the Brooklyn high school.
“I got excited when I heard it,” Hartstein told The Post last night. “I know this is what he really wanted. I’ve known him since he was born. It’s been his dream since he was a little boy, to play for the Knicks. He probably wants to end his career as a Knick.”
Hartstein coached Marbury from 1991 to 1995, with Lincoln winning the state title in Marbury’s senior year. “Word spread like wildfire here,” Hartstein said. “By lunchtime, everyone knew. He’s been through it with the Nets and I’m sure he’ll be happy to have his family around.”
Hartstein, who recently retired as head coach but still teaches at Lincoln, coached Marbury’s three brothers, Eric, Don and Norman. Stephon also has two sisters.
Marbury is the first point guard to average 20 points and eight assists for his career since Oscar Robertson.
“I think he can even do more,” said Hartstein, who sees Marbury most summers. “This is the old coach in me, but he can average 10 assists a game. Allan [Houston] and Keith [Van Horn] will get a lot of open looks. Even Kurt Thomas. And [Dikembe] Mutombo should get a lot of dunks because of Marbury. Stephon is going to look at this as a great opportunity.”
Asked if more moves are to come, new boss Isiah Thomas said, “Our record is still 14-21. I’m not satisfied with that. Neither is our team. We have to keep getting better. The only way to try to do it is from within and, if not, we have to go elsewhere to get it done.”
Van Horn and Frank Williams are the obvious trade pawns, but Van Horn’s max contract will make it difficult.
Don Chaney on playoff chances: “It makes things very optimistic. You can really focus in on the playoffs.” … Suns president Bryan Colangelo on Marbury: “He’s probably the best player to ever come out of New York City, the best guard certainly.”
Knicks finally waived John Amaechi, giving them two open roster spots, possibly to sign CBA’s Leon Smith to a 10-day … Goran Ristanovic, Milos Vujanic’s agent: “Jeff Nix (assistant GM) called me last week and said Scott Layden is gone, but Isiah Thomas never called me so I knew he could be traded.”
