Stephon Marbury back with Knicks

BY IAN BEGLEY
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Sunday, December 30th 2007, 4:00 AM

Stephon Marbury started his New Year's Resolution a few days early as he returned to Knicks practice on Saturday after nine days away from the team.

It was his third return to the team since his father, Don, died on Dec. 2.

Marbury participated in all of the team's drills in Greenburgh and stayed after practice to shoot jump shots and layups to try to get back in game shape.

On Thursday, Marbury told a Knicks public relations official that he planned to return to the team some time after the New Year.

Isiah Thomas said he didn't think Marbury would play in today's game against the Bulls at the Garden, but Marbury may be forced to suit up because guard Jamal Crawford is listed as questionable with an injured right hand.

Crawford, the Knicks' leading scorer (19.2 ppg), said he bumped his hand on a teammate's knee during Friday's practice while trying to fight through a pick. Crawford will have X-rays this morning to determine the extent of the injury.

When asked if the injury was a bruise, Crawford turned to a Knicks official and said, "That's what we're calling it, a bruise? Yeah, it's a bruise," Crawford said.

Crawford suffered a stress fracture on his right ankle in a game against the Heat on Feb. 26 and essentially missed the rest of last season. A hobbling Crawford returned for a 31-second cameo against the Nets in the final week.

But Crawford said he wasn't worried about his latest injury. Of course, the team didn't think Crawford's foot injury last season was anything serious before X-rays revealed the extent of the damage.

"I'm not worried at all," Crawford said. "I didn't hear nothing pop - not that I did last year - but it's not that serious, I hope."

If it is, Marbury may be forced into game action for the first time in two weeks.

"We'll need some healthy bodies depending on our guard play, but he's definitely not ready to play 35 minutes," Thomas said of Marbury.

Marbury first tried to come back the day after his father's funeral on the road against the Sixers, but asked out of the game after the first half. The next night, he returned to the Garden and was overcome with emotion during a pregame tribute to his dad. Marbury was in tears on the bench in the fourth quarter and asked Thomas after the game if he could have more time to mourn.

Marbury missed the next four games, before returning and scoring 16 points against the Pacers in the Knicks' 27-point loss on Dec. 17. Marbury dressed but did not play in the Knicks' 108-90 win over the Cavs two nights later and left the team for a second time.

Last week, in the midst of grieving for his father, Marbury filed a grievance through the players' union challenging the Knicks' decision to fine him one game check when he went AWOL before the game at Phoenix on Nov. 13.

Thomas and Marbury's relationship has been strained since Thomas threatened to reduce Marbury's role on that November flight to Phoenix.

"No," was all Thomas said when asked yesterday if there was a rift. The coach then laughed and ended a short session with reporters when asked if he had "cleared the air" with Marbury.

"I'm not worried about that at all," Knicks forward David Lee said. "They're both professionals. On top of that, I don't necessarily know if there's been any problem or not. ... Steph's back ready to play and Isiah's still doing a great job (coaching), so it's not something I'm worried about."