Marbury expects to walk off the court with a title

Beijing's Stephon Marbury on Saturday spoke highly of Kobe Bryant's performance in his last NBA game, while expressing his hope to walk off the court with a title.

After 20 seasons in NBA, Bryant retired with a 60-point binge and a victory on Thursday, which gave Marbury, who joined the elite league with Bryant in 1996, every reason to praise.

"I didn't actually see the game, but I heard that he played very well. It's good that he won the game on a high note. The effort that he put in his last game was the Kobe Bryant that everybody knows," said Marbury.

Marbury said he would retire with a champion trophy in his arms.

"I want to win the championship when I walk off the court. In my last game, I want to play in the playoffs, trying to compete for the championship," said the former NBA All-Star.

"That is how Michael Jordan retired, there is no better finish. For myself, I want to walk off the court exactly like that," added Marbury, referring to Jordan's retirement after winning the NBA title in 1998.

Marbury doesn't know whether the next season will be his last after spending last 20 years as a professional player.

"I don't know this year will be my last year, depending upon the plays that we gave to our team next year," he said. "It feels good to be able to play 20-year professional basketball and still feel good.

"I just continue to try to elevate and see how long I can go. As a part of an amazing draft class, for myself, having opportunity to be on stage with other guys retired is a bigger challenge for me now. I really see a different future for myself."

Beijing had a disappointing 2015-2016 CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) season, eliminated in the playoffs first round. Marbury was delighted that Duan Jiangpeng, a former teammate in Shanxi, has joined him.

"I'm excited about that. I was united with him in my first game in China," he said. "He is very talented. He can shoot the ball, defend, penetrate. I think that he can help to contribute to our team."

Chinese star Zhou Qi announced on Friday that he is to enter the 2016 NBA draft. Marbury recognized Zhou's ability to play NBA games, but said he has an urgent need to put on weight.

"He has the ability to play in NBA," Marbury. "I just think that he needs to put on about 20-25 pounds. When he does that, he will have the ability to play in NBA. Right now he is not physically fit and compete against guys in NBA for 82 games in a season. It's very hard to play seven-month basketball.

"It's also important for him to go to the right team, to be able to go to the right organization with the right strategy that helps to build him, so he won't get stuck on the bench. It's hard for younger guys, and they can lose their confidence when they are playing. He will hate that to happen because he develops so nicely here in China."