Marbury was traveling the globe this summer, promoting his line of discount basketball shoes, when his wife fell in love with Italy. Unfortunately for many husbands, he set a precedent by volunteering to take a smaller paycheck and move to the country to make his wife happy. He described his decision as being “like a Beckham thing,” which could not be farther from the truth. Beckham came to America to revive his sinking career and to regain the attention of the international media for himself and his wife. He wanted money and attention, whereas Marbury is being a family man and doing what he thinks is right.

Yashin’s scenario, however, is more similar to Beckham’s. Feeling underpaid (even though the Islanders will be paying him $17.5 millon not to play for them) , he stuck up his nose at America and left. He did not think that, as an aging veteran, Americans gave him either respect or cash. Like Beckham, he is going abroad for selfish reasons to more than likely star in an inferior league.

Stephon Marbury should be commended putting his family before his money, while Alexei Yashin is trying to create publicity for himself out of nothing.