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Marbury 'working on the comeback to the NBA'

REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine / Action Images

It's been nearly a decade since Stephon Marbury left the NBA and became a sports icon in China. After announcing his 2017-18 campaign with the Beijing Fly Dragons would be his last, his fans could be forgiven for assuming the fiery point guard was beginning to look ahead to retirement.

Not so fast. At 40 years old, Marbury's sights are set on a return to the Association, according to a tweet he posted Tuesday.

Marbury followed up his tweet with a video announcement reaffirming his intentions to return to the NBA.

I'm making a #nba come back for the fans who want to see me play my last year as a pro. After hearing so many people say come back I finally prayed about it and gave it major thought. I thought the perfect ending would of been retiring with the Beijing Ducks but it's clear the GM had other thoughts which is fine. My love for the ducks will always be A1 from day 1. I still have a lot of go in me as a player and at 40 being able to play at a high level is a gift. Being able to stay mentally focused and physically fit takes a different type of discipline. I'm motivated to make this the best year of my career as I end a 21 year long journey in the game I love. It's been a blessing to play 13 years in the @nba and this year 9 years in the @cbachina China has groomed my game and my style of play. China made me sharp and consistent. We practice Monday-Wed from 9-11:45 and 3-5:45. Thursday one practice 9-11:45 and Friday-Sat same schedule as M-W. I thought I would die at first coming from the NBA where you can't practice that long before the season starts. Oh and we do that for over 40 days. This way of training can either break you or make you. I'd like to look at it as it made me. So I'm ready and prepared to take on a challenge I once faced but with chips under my belt along with all that has come with winning chips in China. Statues, museum, green card, Honorary citizen, ambassador for the environmental protection bureau, key to the city, only 30 people ever to receive the key to the city of Beijing and MY PEACE something no one can ever take. So with all of these things I feel complete and ready to turn towards the last page of my basketball dairy that I've been writing since 95 when I left Lincoln High. I thank all of the positive energy from all those who showed it throughout my time away from the NBA. Thank you for always keeping it 100. @stephonmarbury_3 @espn @marcjspears @nytimes @nypost @nydailynews @newsday @slamonline #starburymovement #starbuy #loveislove

A post shared by Starbury.com (@starburymarbury) on

Marbury had a very successful 13-year NBA career, averaging 19.3 points and 7.6 assists across 846 games, earning two All-NBA and All-Star selections in the process. He also looked more or less washed-up while making 23 appearances for the Boston Celtics in the 2008-09 season, shooting 24 percent from long range.

In today's NBA, there are two proven ways for over-the-hill vets to hang around well past their expiration date: A reliable 3-point shot, or a friendship with LeBron James. Marbury meets neither condition, so his chances of making a comeback as a player seem slim.

If anything, perhaps the creator of the Starburys could work with Lonzo Ball's fledgling Big Baller Brand as a marketing consultant.

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