Wally Szczerbiak insists he did nothing ‘dirty” to Stephon Marbury two months ago, but he understands Marbury’s frustration.
Szczerbiak, while he was a member of the Timberwolves, bulldozed Marbury with a pick on Jan. 16. The Knicks point guard missed 11 of the next 16 games with a sprained left shoulder. Although Marbury has said he wouldn’t confront Szczerbiak last night because the issue is ‘over with,” the Celtics swingman wasn’t sure whether he’d clear the air with Marbury before last night’s game.
‘I have no problem with Steph,” Szczerbiak said during yesterday’s shootaround. ‘I felt bad that he was out for so long.
‘It turned out to be a tough injury. But I meant no harm by the screen I set. I just tried to set a good, hard, legal screen. And I think I did that.
‘Hopefully he’s not holding a grudge or anything.”
About an hour before last night’s game, both players warmed up at the same time. But they didn’t interact on the court. From the get-go, Marbury has said Szczerbiak’s screen was underhanded, but the Cold Spring Harbor native disagrees.
‘I don’t play that way,” Szczerbiak said.
While Szczerbiak was surprised that Marbury called the play dirty, he sympathized with him.
‘It turned out to be an injury that sidelined him for a while,” Szczerbiak said. ‘But at the same time, I was just playing the game the right way.”
The Miami of Ohio product still calls Long Island home, and he’s excited about being a member of the Eastern Conference. Minnesota only came to Madison Square Garden once a year. The world’s most famous arena is his favorite arena.
‘It’s always a treat, playing here in the Garden,” he said.
The 29-year-old is enjoying the experience in Boston, where the Celts are still fighting for a playoff berth. Although he and Paul Pierce play the same position, Szczerbiak said they complement each other well since Szczerbiak doesn’t need to dominate the ball and he gets most of his shots off screens.
‘I love Boston, I tell ya’,” he said. ‘I’m really enjoying my new teammates, new city.
‘I’ve been a little banged up, a little bit of a knee problem. But I’m just trying to grind through and make a playoff push.
‘But overall, I’m happy, I’m excited. I’m looking forward to a lot of good things to come.”