Isiah Thomas is trying tough love on Stephon Marbury. “I love all my players, just like my mother loved me, but sometimes she snatched me out of the park and had tough words for me and did some tough things to me,” the New York Knicks coach said after Marbury rejoined the team for Wednesday’s night game against the Clippers.

“I want the best for this team. I want the best for every player inside that locker room. And sometimes there are tough lessons that need to be learned and there are tough things that we need to do. Every player that’s worn a championship ring, there’s a heavy price to be paid. That’s our goal and that’s where we want to get to.”

The Zone