I don't see Stephon Marbury and get angry. I see Marbury and get sad.

It's hard to know what has happened to the basketball artist formerly known as Starbury, the NBA superstar who once sold his brand of sneakers for 15 bucks a pop.

Sometimes, guys just get weird for no real reason. Or at least, no reason we can possibly explain. It happened to Dennis Rodman, who was actually a quiet, almost aloof type early in his career -- long before the colored hair, multiple body piercings and wedding gowns.

It's happening now to Marbury, who hasn't made news for his basketball ability in about five years. And even then, people were calling Marbury "overrated" or worse, a guy who couldn't win.

Through the years, I've been one of Marbury's harshest critics. I agreed with Jeff Van Gundy when he said that, sure, Marbury puts up some good numbers, "but are they winning numbers?"

I wrote the Knicks were nuts for bringing Marbury to town, that he would try to use New York to boost his so-called celebrity status. He didn't care about making the playoffs, I insisted.

Looking back, maybe I was too hard on the guy. He really is a decent person. He's just odd. He just makes too many grand proclamations for a guy in his position.

Remember when he called himself the NBA's best point guard?

Two years later, his lone contribution to an NBA season was 3.7 points per game and 30 percent shooting during two rounds of the playoffs. That was this past season as a member of Boston. Marbury can't be blamed for the Celtics' collapse against Orlando, but he sure didn't do anything to help.

In fact, there's no evidence Marbury was any more valuable than third-string point guard Gabe Pruitt.

So the Celtics cut Marbury loose. And now we're at a loss for words.

Marbury's behavior gets stranger by the day. Not good for a 32-year old point guard with no contract.

A few weeks back, he cried for no obvious reason on his bizarre Internet show, breaking down as he sang the words to "Lean On Me." He also said he saw Jesus in the shower, and claimed he smoked pot.

"I smoke marijuana ... yep ... I'm not under contract ... I smoke weed occasionally ... I'm not driving ... I'm following the rules," he said in a video posted on TMZ.com.

This isn't exactly a revelation. I mean, anyone who acts the way Marbury has been acting lately must be on drugs, right?

Marbury is likely finished in the NBA. He alienated teammates in New York, has hogged the ball nearly everywhere he's been, and is now displaying rapidly eroding skills. Too often, he's proven to be a huge risk with little reward.

No less than LeBron James once said he would not want a player like Marbury on his team.

How's that for a ringing endorsement?

Truth is, Marbury is a product of the same Disney generation that gave us Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan, reality TV and The Backstreet Boys. It's been lots of style, very little substance, and way too many flameouts after America decided it didn't really want to be dumbed down.

Again, these aren't bad people. They just aren't the kind you want running your country -- or your basketball team, for that matter.

And that's something a lot of NBA people are starting to determine about Marbury.

Remember, Marbury is the same player whom coach Mike D'Antoni and the point guard-less Knicks didn't want. When D'Antoni offered to let Marbury play, he refused. Not a good way to endear yourself to the coaching fraternity.

Marbury first entered the league with Minnesota in 1996, and back then, a lot of people figured he'd be the type of guard that New Orleans' Chris Paul is today. Cool under pressure. Electric. Someone who can score in bundles, but give the ball up for the sake of a win.

Instead, Marbury held on to the rock much too long. And he's doing the same thing with whatever it is he's clinging to today.

None of it is good, and that's just sad.

Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News. Contact him at amico@probasketballnews.com or follow him on Twitter.

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