Coney Island Low.

“One observer from yesterday’s workout noted the uneasy atmosphere among the other players. ‘You could just feel the hate,’ the person said.” It’s been rumored all summer, particularly since the Knicks acquired Bulls backup Chris Duhon. Now, according to the Daily News, the tortuous Marbury era in Madison Square Garden looks like it may be coming to an end this Friday. “Several persons with knowledge of the situation have indicated that the Knicks are planning to part ways with Marbury by the end of the week…The Knicks will likely place Marbury on waivers and, once he clears, begin negotiating a buyout. Marbury will then be free to sign with another team; the Miami Heat have a desperate need at point guard.“

On one hand, getting nothing in return for a player like Marbury seems like a loss for the Knicks. Then again, with his massive contract, Stephon basically has little-to-no trade value — See also Zach Randolph. And if he’s as much of a locker room cancer at this point as this article suggests, we might as well just cut him and start the D’Antoni era fresh. So, so long, Stephon. And if you start actually playing to your long-heralded potential this coming season for Miami, I’m going to be very irate.

Update: “This thing is initiated in the press and then I have to ask questions about it,’ Walsh said, sounding somewhat perturbed. ‘I haven’t approached [Marbury] about a buyout.’” New GM Donnie Walsh says it’s not so.

Bring the Thunder | The Ewings | Donnie & Darko?

Round 2 of everybody’s favorite party game: What do Berkeley and Seattle sports fans have in common this week? Answer: They both absolutely detest the sound of “Thunder.” The Oklahoma City Thunder (nee Seattle Supersonics) officially unveil their new name and logo. (I guess the Oklahoma City Whirlwind might still have been considered in poor taste.)

On the Knicks side of the ledger: As Patrick Ewing enters the Hall of Fame — and his son, Patrick Ewing Jr., comes to Knicks training camp — is new GM Donnie Walsh really thinking of picking up former Detroit bust Darko Milicic? I know we want to unload Zach Randolph’s contract at all costs before 2010, but aren’t we a big enough joke around the league without adding the Frederic Weis of #2 picks to our roster?

The Dream Redeemed.

“‘We played with great character in one of the great games in international basketball history, I think,’ U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said.” Congrats to the US men’s Olympic basketball team, who returned to golden form this morning by closing out Spain 118-107. (Now, Coach D’Antoni, get thee to the Knickerbockers. We have work to do!)

D’Antoni Balks.

The Knicks lose their Gamecock on the bench: Energy player Renaldo Balkman is traded to the Nuggets for peanuts (a 2010 second-rounder, Taurean Green, and Bobby Jones, both of whom will be waived.) “Balkman became expendable with the addition of first-round pick Danilo Gallinari. The Knicks also have an increased role in mind for Wilson Chandler at small forward.” (What about Q-Rich?) That’s too bad…I always liked Balkman. You can’t teach hustle.

Rocket R-Test | Manny on the Run.

“‘I’ll be a kid in a candy store,’ Artest said. ‘I’ll be a kid in a store with a lot of candy. I’m going to dance with the stars.‘” T-Mac, Yao, and the Houston Rockets try to keep pace in a loaded West by trading for talented head case Ron Artest. (They gave up aging vet Bobby Jackson, new pick Donte Greene, a 2009 first-rounder, and cash.) Interesting…that’s a pretty solid trade for Houston. It’s not Boston’s Big 3, but even in a crowded conference Artest should be enough defensive help to finally get ’em out of the first round. And so far he’s saying all the right things.

Also, I don’t really follow baseball until, I dunno, mid-October, but this even made my radar. The inimitable Manny Ramirez is gone from the BoSox. He’s now a Dodger (and, the Grant Hill of the MLB, Ken Griffey is now on the White Sox.) Alrighty then.

Ref Stripes for Prison Bars.

“Tim acted in a completely selfish and unforgivable way, and has forever compromised the way people look at sports and officiating. However, NBA referees will continue to officiate with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.” Disgraced NBA ref Tim Donaghy is sentenced to 15 months in prison. Meanwhile, the forthcoming “Pedowitz report” on referee fraud is still pending, and Commissioner Stern still insists Donaghy was an unfortunate outlier. “‘The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI have fully investigated it,’ Stern said on June 10, ‘and Mr. Donaghy is the only one that’s guilty of a crime.‘” Oookay…but is fixing games to extend series a “criminal” act? That sounds rather lawyerly to me.

D’Antoni goes Duhon.

“The chance for Chris to be a starter was too much to pass up.” The Knicks sign Bulls backup PG Chris Duhon to a 2-year deal, meaning that the “Starbury” Era at MSG looks to be on its way out. “Bradbury said the Knicks have made it clear that Duhon could start, which could mean that Stephon Marbury’s days with the Knicks are numbered. Marbury is in the final year of his contract.” Update: Marbury talks the talk.

Sonics (Go) Boom.

“‘In a perfect world I would have liked to see Clay Bennett leave, without the team at all,’ said Steven Pyeatt, the co-founder of Save Our Sonics.” While the door isn’t quite closed yet — there’s one more lawsuit to go — a late agreement between new owner Clay Bennett and the city seems to suggest that Seattle has sadly lost their NBA franchise to Oklahoma City. “The settlement calls for Bennett and his Professional Basketball Club LLC to pay as much as $75 million to the city in exchange for the immediate termination of the lease. The team’s name and colors will be staying in Seattle.“

Benvenuto Danilo.

“He’ll be a 6-11,3-point shooting, ball handler and passer,” D’Antoni said. “We think he has the potential to be above a good player. That’s how you build a team. We’re starting with him.” The Knicks begin the D’Antoni/Walsh era by picking Euroleague star Danilo Gallinari with the sixth pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Like most of the Knicks fan in attendance last night, I’m not particularly sold on the choice — an offense-minded, potentially soft swingman? Last I checked, we couldn’t and didn’t play D — especially since it means we’ll be bouncing David Lee. Then again, something had to give, I guess. Let’s just hope Gallinari is Italian for “Detlef Schrempf” and not “Darko Milicic.”

Celtic Pride.

Looks like the gamble paid off. In an auspicious sign for all the cellar-dwelling teams out there looking to turn it around in one year, the Boston Celtics completely eviscerate the Lakers 131-92 in Game 6, clinching their seventeenth championship (and first for likable superstars KG, Allen, and Pierce.) Congrats to the Celts and to the Boston fans (Well, some of ’em)…and New York, take a gander. The draft is a little over a week away…