Stephon Marbury remains on the Knicks sideline. AP

New York Times beat writer Howard Beck is on top of Stephon Marbury's situation in New York.

Beck said that Marbury was doing fine in the preseason and early in the season. But when Mike D'Antoni approached Marbury to play, Marbury basically refused.

Beck said that when D'Antoni went to Marbury, the Knicks were in dire straights because of injuries. Beck believes D'Antoni approached him earnestly. Whether Marbury gave him an adamant no is up for an arbitrator to decide.

An amicable parting seems less likely after this spat as they wait for this to play out.

Beck thinks the person that is hurt the most is Marbury. But the Knicks need to go out and get a useful body for their banged-up backcourt.

Beck said that the Knicks should have taken care of this a long time ago.

Beck also isn't sure that Marbury fits well on other teams. Take Miami, who is reportedly interested. The Heat have a lot of young players. Do they want Marbury to influence them?