Source: A Kid from Coney Island | Watch Now
Gil Scott-Heron once sang Guan Guan Co on the combined track for The Bottle on his album Winter in America. Guan Guan Co is an “African concept paying homage to the snake because of the ability for the snake to shed its skin and to be reborn. The process speaks to the rhythm of rebirth and regeneration.” While the documentarians of “A Kid from Coney Island” didn’t use this song, it is the perfect representation of Stephon Marbury’s rise, fall and rebirth in a country where the snake is a symbol of good harvest (en.people).
While the snake isn’t considered a positive image in the U.S., Steph Marbury finished his career in China. The mythology and stories about the snake are positive and within Gil Scott-Heron’s song of redemption from alcoholism and despair, the snake sheds the cloak of consumption at the midway point of the song in a chant that cries, “Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate” as a call of defiance against the chains that weigh down people looking for a way.
I last recall Stephon Marbury as Knick. I remember the collapse of Steve and Barry’s and Steph’s 15 to 20 dollar kicks being ridiculed. The worst part of what I remember about Steph is him eating Vaseline. It’s not the lightning quick first step and explosiveness, or the laser-like, no-look passes that I remember. I remember the grainy video of him talking about his sore throat and listening to gospel music. I remember a broken man.
I was playing college basketball when Steph was playing so I didn’t get to witness a lot of his work, but I remember his draft class and how special that class was: Kobe, Ray Allen, Steve Nash… Steph was a star and it was in his nickname, Starbury.
The documentary is certainly Steph’s Guan Guan Co and it explained a lot in a short amount of time. When Steph was encountering problems with the Knicks I had no idea that his father died during a game. It’s extremely difficult to adjust to life after losing a hero. In order for Steph to reborn he had to leave and his resurrection is amazing. This documentary brings to light an important narrative for those walking the road of recovery. Not from drugs, but from something that is equally is damaging and often overlooked, depression. My last thought of Starbury is no longer one of darkness. The man has a statue in China. In a year where we lost Kobe, this film gives us a glimpse into the next chapter that’s starting for Marbury. It leaves me with a different image, and that’s a good thing.
