Given the history between James Dolan and Stephon Marbury, this is going to take a lot to sink in. The New York Knicks owner and the manifestation of some of his most controversial decisions were in the same space recently. As fans know, the NBA is kicked off preseason in Abu Dhabi with a double header. The Knicks vs 76ers was the game to watch. But Dolan and his franchise had one more extra business in the city. Joining them were some unexpected Knicks legends. Is this a sign of the past being forgotten?

Maybe that’s what the new basketball court in Abu Dhabi symbolizes. The Knicks unveiled their international court in this city before the preseason exhibition. Among Abu Dhabi’s dignitaries with Dolan, John Starks and Stephon Marbury represented the Knicks.

“A beautiful Knicks basketball court in the heart of Abu Dhabi 🧡💙🏀,” the Knicks posted on social media. “The court was inaugurated at an event attended by His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. His Excellency was joined at the court unveiling by Madison Square Garden Sports Executive Chairman & CEO James Dolan, as well as Knicks greats John Starks and Stephon Marbury. The project embodies DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to creating experiences for the community to enjoy and connect.”

The court, designed by an Emirati designer, features the Knicks logo. But it stands out for drawing inspiration from the ‘mandoos’- a traditional furniture that safeguarded family treasures. Patterns from the mandoos frame the logo and the sidelines, reflecting Emirati culture blending with their love for sports.

This was one of the few tasks on the Knicks’ to-do list. The players took in Abu Dhabi’s sightseeing offerings and got some R&R before the regular season grind.

The relaxed but robust Knicks squad took on the understaffed 76ers later. Realistically, this game was an eye-test for the Sixers without some of its firepower in Joel Embiid and Paul George. Predictably, Tyrese Maxey emerged as the Sixers’ scoring hope but his 16 points wasn’t enough against the well distributed offensive load among Jalem Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks won 104-113 and set the tone for the current lineup.

None of the current Knicks players were present at the court opening. Marbury, in his celebrity favorite Chamelo eyewear, and Starks played hoops with kids on the new court at a local park. But perhaps the most standout was seeing Dolan and Marbury within the same proximity.

Stephon Marbury’s rift with Knicks on the mend?

Stephon Marbury is your regular NBA journeyman who went overseas. When he does come to Madison Square Garden, it’s a big deal to fans. Marbury had some of his best years in the limelight of the Garden. But offcourt drama overshadowed it.

Most of the feud had to do with Isiah Thomas who had a controversial head coaching tenure for the Knicks. The Pistons legend also faced a lawsuit. Marbury testified against Thomas in that lawsuit which worsened the tension. There were reports that Thomas and Marbury came to blows in the team plane. Fan sentiment was more on Marbury’s side. But when Zeke was close to taking the guard out of the roster, he was fired himself.

That didn’t protect Marbury. According to reports at that time, Dolan seemingly felt Marbury’s testimony damaged the Knicks’ reputation. Thomas’ replacement, Donnie Walsh’s first order of business was getting rid of Marbury. In controversial fashion too. Marbury was banned from Knicks practices and games before he was traded. In fans’ perspective, Isiah Thomas, Donnie Walsh, and James Dolan were the cause for Marbury’s promising career spiralling.

When it looked like a thing of the past, 2020 brought a fresh new twist. Knicks superfan, Spike Lee was locked in a feud with Dolan. Surprisingly, Marbury backed the filmmaker. “Spike always deserved the red-carpet treatment, because he spent millions — probably $10 million — on floor seats going to the Garden all these years. I think they will figure it out,” Marbury said then.

Starbury became symbolic of some of the worst decisions Dolan made in the early ’00s. Fortunately that ban on his attendance ended with the buyout in 2009. Today Stephon Marbury returns to MSG as a Knicks great and still revered by New Yorkers. Inaugurating that Knicks court in Abu Dhabi might be another step to reconciling with the franchise.