By MARC BERMAN

Stephon MarburyStephon Marbury told The Post yesterday if the club
already has decided to waive him before the season opener, team
president Donnie Walsh should do it now and not prolong the saga.

Marbury wants to stay with the KnicksNew York Knicks , but doesn't
want to be a lame duck when the Knicks kick off training camp in
Saratoga Springs. Sources said yesterday, however, Walsh is giving
Marbury a legitimate chance to stick with the team. Owner James Dolan
may be unwilling to eat $21.9 million until he sees him in action.

The Knicks point guard took his physical yesterday at the Westchester
practice facility and was told to be ready for Tuesday's training camp
at Skidmore College. Nobody from the organization has told him he will
not be part of the season. But they also haven't told him to ignore
the media reports, stating he's toast and hopes he's not being kept on
as a negotiating tactic.

"If I'm a distraction and I'm all these different things, why would
you want to keep somebody like that?" Marbury asked. "It can't be
about the money. If you feel you're better without me, just let me go.
If not, let's get down to the business of playing basketball. We
shouldn't be talking about me getting waived or not. We should be
talking about bringing playoff life back to the Garden like when I got
here (in 2004)."

Marbury said he is concerned about becoming a distraction during
training camp.

"We need to concentrate on how we're going to win, not whether I'm
getting waived or if I'm getting all my money," Marbury said.

One conspiracy theory is Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are waiting so
Marbury would have less of a chance to adjust to a new team, which
could turn out to be conference rival Miami. The Knicks' season opener
is against the Heat Oct. 29 at the Garden.

The other possibility is because Marbury reported under 200 pounds
(197) and is in terrific shape, the Knicks feel his trade value could
increase during the preseason. For that matter, they may have decided
to keep him for that reason. Marbury, who hasn't been this light since
his playing days at Lincoln High, has one year and $21.9 million left
on his pact.

Walsh and D'Antoni will hold a press conference at the Garden today
and likely will give Marbury a vote of confidence. But Marbury said he
doesn't want to be kept around for the wrong reasons.

"It shouldn't matter if I go to a team in the same conference or a
rival team," Marbury said. "They are concentrating on the direction
best for them. There's nothing wrong with that - nothing wrong with
change. If D'Antoni feels he needs to go in another direction with a
starting point guard (Chris Duhon), that's fine. I know I'm going to
play someplace else.

"I know what I can do on the basketball court. They know as well.
There are newspaper writers and other people saying I can't play
anymore. I want to prove to my fans . . . what I can do."

Would he be willing to be a backup?

"I'm not coming off the bench here in New York," Marbury said.

Nor is he willing to take less than the $21.9 million if approached
about a buyout. Nevertheless, Marbury said he would donate any new
contract money to charity.

"Why is (a buyout) even an issue," Marbury said. "It's my contract. I
earned it. I wouldn't take a penny less."

Marbury said he would like more feedback from his bosses, considering
the media swirl regarding his future.


"If D'Antoni feels a certain way, he should speak his peace now,"
Marbury said. "If he feels he's going in a different direction with
Duhon, that's fine with me. It's OK. No problem at all. But it
shouldn't be about the money. It should be about building the
franchise and nobody should be worried where I go."