Los Angeles Times

Marbury’s still got game — in China

- — Michael Rechtshaff­en

From the use of Claymation sequences in interview settings that take their cue from “Do the Right Thing,” the documentar­y “A Kid from Coney Island” proves to be as surprising and affecting as the unorthodox career trajectory of its subject, basketball player Stephon Marbury.

Hailing from a household of NBA hopefuls, Marbury would go the distance, initially forming half of a dynamic duo for the Minnesota Timberwolv­es for several seasons with fellow bright light Kevin Garnett.

Nicknamed “Starbury,” he inspired Spike Lee’s “He Got Game,” but a series of subsequent trades took their toll — he was faulted for not being a team player and taken down by the press as having “too much New York in him,” leading to a personal meltdown.

At this juncture, those unfamiliar with Marbury’s story might expect a bleaker outcome, but he experience­d a spiritual reawakenin­g in Beijing, where he’d finally earn the fan support and media respect he’d long been craving.

While sticking to the documentar­y template, co-directors Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah demonstrat­e some fresh moves of their own, including having rappers Fat Joe and Cam’ron weigh in along with TV journalist Stephen A. Smith, plus members of Marbury’s close-knit family.

Ultimately, Marbury’s rewarding rebound has as much to say about where you come from as where you’re headed.

“A Kid from Coney Island.” Not rated. Running time: 1 hour, 28 minutes. Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica

 ?? JDS Sports / Slam ?? STEPHON MARBURY is surrounded by the media in Beijing in a scene from the moving documentar­y.
JDS Sports / Slam STEPHON MARBURY is surrounded by the media in Beijing in a scene from the moving documentar­y.

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