A Starbury is Born

August 29, 2014 10:00 AM

A controversial player follows up a disappointing NBA career with a major success in the Chinese Basketball Association, including two national titles with the Beijing Ducks (yes, they're named after the delicious Peking Duck dish). Now, he's Starring in a musical about himself in Beijing.(NYT)
posted by ericbop (15 comments total)

“China’s first fusion of sports, music, dance and multimedia for a sports-themed youth theater event.”

Is it possibly the world's first?

I pray this ends up on video because getting to China on a lark isn't a possibility, but seeing this feels necessary to me.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:23 AM on August 29, 2014 [2 favorites]

Is it possibly the world's first?

Nooooope.
posted by griphus at 10:27 AM on August 29, 2014 [4 favorites]

This is easily the weirdest thing I've read in a while. I was not even aware that Marbury was still playing basketball, let alone well, let alone with a freaking musical written about him.

Seconding MCMikeNamara, ericbop you are tasked with scouring the internets for video of this musical and making it a followup FPP. Go forth!
posted by mcstayinskool at 10:32 AM on August 29, 2014 [1 favorite]

You know how sometimes when you're on a ledge up high and you get a weird feeling like you should step back even though you know you know you won't jump or fall; you just know yourself well enough that you should back away.

That is what I'm doing now from any searching for other such theater events. I want to do something else this weekend.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:33 AM on August 29, 2014

Get back to me when he learns Mandarin.
posted by mrgrimm at 11:17 AM on August 29, 2014

− You already made this a favorite.

I KNOW BUT I WANT TO FAVORITE IT AGAIN
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:17 AM on August 29, 2014 [2 favorites]

*eats Vaseline*
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:17 AM on August 29, 2014 [1 favorite]

Let's not forget the shoe line, which basically starts with the premise of "this is what Nikes would really cost without the PR markup." Though apparently nothing is actually buyable there anymore.

I owned some many years back. They were perfectly adequate shoes, though I guess some people blamed them for him having some injuries, if I recall correctly?
posted by Dr.Enormous at 11:20 AM on August 29, 2014 [1 favorite]

Stephon Marbury is the David Hasselhoff of basketball.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:31 AM on August 29, 2014 [3 favorites]

From an article on Marbury's involvement in a harassment lawsuit against the Knicks, as he tried to get away from reporters:

Marbury tried to change the subject by making fun of the reporters' ties and shoes, noting that he was wearing expensive tan lace-ups, then drowning out the pesky questions by breaking into song.

So I guess he likes singing?
posted by maryr at 12:04 PM on August 29, 2014

Oh, from same article, he then added

"I got some new Starburys that are coming out," Marbury said before disappearing, a pitch for his reasonably-priced basketball shoes.

posted by maryr at 12:04 PM on August 29, 2014 [2 favorites]

After all the shit Marbury had to put up with here because he was not the superstar he was hyped up to become I think it is absolutely great that he has morphed into a superstar in China.
posted by bukvich at 1:16 PM on August 29, 2014

disappearing is in fact the best pitch for his reasonably-priced basketball shoes.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:18 PM on August 29, 2014 [2 favorites]

After all the shit Marbury had to put up with here because he was not the superstar he was hyped up to become

and his humility and introspection in the face of his failures is really what makes me feel so happy for him....
posted by JPD at 2:26 PM on August 29, 2014

Most efficient earner in NBA history. Paid a max contract to stay away from Madison Square Garden.

Somathem Starbury's looked very fine, as well.
posted by dragonsi55 at 5:10 PM on August 29, 2014