Stephon Marbury led the Beijing Ducks to a 4-2 series victory over Liaoning on March 22, claiming his third CBA championship ring and earning the MVP award. Zhang Wenkui / for China Daily
"Stephon Marbury has gone from being one of the most hated sports stars in his native US to being one of the most loved in China in just a few years," said Mark Dreyer, a former reporter for Sky Sports and the AP who now runs China Sports Insider.
"While American sports fans saw him as arrogant, aloof, overrated and as the proverbial 'cancer' in the dressing room, his persona in China has been humble and open off the court and hugely positive on it, through a combination of coaching, mentoring and inspirational play.
"You would never believe it's the same person - indeed, many US sports fans who have read of his latest heroics in China struggle to accept it's the same Marbury."
So how has he done it? Marbury has cleverly embraced the Beijing culture and given fans a few off-court reasons to like him, too, such as riding the subway, eating local delicacies and chatting with fans through social media.
But it has not been easy. The player lives a disciplined and rather solitary life, with his family still living in New York. His apartment is spacious but equipped with only basic furniture, while his living room has a massage table and a 25-kg dumbbell. He has a personal trainer to keep him fit.
"The drama in his life is largely why Marbury is accepted as a symbolic hero in China," said Yang Yi, a renowned basketball commentator and one of Marbury's agents. "His career has been full of ups and downs, but he has been reborn in China.
"Moreover, he has a charisma that suits Beijing. He likes what Beijingers like, and he's not just here to make money like some other foreign players. His behavior is sometimes showy, but he appreciates Chinese culture."
Despite his age, Marbury said he has no intention of retiring or leaving the capital anytime soon.
"I'm thinking about how to continue to elevate my body through training," he said. "I can be different from all the other athletes who stopped playing at my age. This is a great opportunity for me to continue playing as long as I want by training my body.
"Living in Beijing has been a great experience. This is my home, and this is where I live."
