Now this is a Feud

It's as good a day as any to veer out of the hockey realm for a few moments.

Yes, I know watching the Leafs scratch and claw for a playoff berth is supposed to be the story gripping us all these days. Some are entranced by this global baseball tournament, which is fine, and the NFL free agent scramble is already very, very interesting.

But the best story of the North American sports world, at least if you like 'em nasty, is unfolding in New York between the coach of the Knicks, Larry Brown, and his newest whipping boy, Stephon Marbury. Otherwise known as Starbury.

This thing has been heating up for a while know, and I've only been watching closely for a few days. But these two guys are duking it out in the open, passing their insults through newspapers and other media outlets, and it is getting personal and mean.

Check out today's missiles in the New York Post, as the coach of the NBA's worst squad and the supposed star of the team unload on each other. Think Starbury's afraid of the legendary coach? Think again.

Here's part of Marbury's rant yesterday:

"If coach is comparing his career to my career, he's got a 20-year edge on me," Marbury said. "That sounds like a lot of insecurity going on.

"He's speaking on things that he's done. People in New York want to know, what is he gonna do as far as us winning? What happened in the past is in the past. New Yorkers relate to what's happening now. They live more in the present."

Nice. And Brown thought he had a handful with Allen Iverson once upon a time. The man brought this all upon himself by buying into Isiah Thomas' "plan" and bolting stability and success in Detroit.

Still, as mentioned, it's interesting to watch two big names actually say exactly what they mean, without platitudes or pretending to be nice.

It's bloodsport. But at least it's bloody honest.