This is a first

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Stephon Marbury has a point.

Granted, Marbury is a me-first greedhead and a locker-room cancer. Granted, it was a joke when the Knicks brought him in years ago and gave him a fat contract. Granted, he’s been overrated on the court and embarrassing off.

But …

When new coach Mike D’Antoni told Marbury to show up in shape and have a good training camp and he’d get a chance to play, Marbury complied.

Only to have D’Antoni stick him on the bench and publicly embarrass him by refusing to play him — even for a minute — when the regular season started. D’Antoni even cursed when Knicks fans called for Marbury at the end of one blowout.

So when a rash of injuries left the Knicks short-handed and suddenly needing Marbury, I don’t blame the guard for saying, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Is Marbury a selfish creep ? Yes. But in their dealings with Marbury this season the Knicks have acted no better than their petulant former star.

Compare and contrast

Jerry Jones and Mike D’Antoni both have narcissists on their teams.

Here’s how Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, handles his:

In Sunday’s game against Cincinnati, with his team winning but Terrell Owens on his way to a paltry two-catch performance, Jones felt the need to walk over to Owens and buck him up.

“I was just reminding him how important a player and an important part he is to this team winning,” said Jones, undoubtedly mindful of some of Owens’ sideline explosions when a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jones’ pep talk didn’t keep T.O. from blowing off reporters after the game — a 31-22 Dallas win — after issuing the following bizarre comment:

“It was frustrating out there, but I kept with it. My teammates stuck with it. … God used me today for his glory. Reality is where glory resides. That’s all I’ve got to say.”

I wish.

Now to New York Knicks coach D’Antoni, whose narcissist is guard Stephon Marbury, fond of calling himself “Starbury.”

Marbury, ticketed for backup duty under the new Knicks coach despite his outrageous salary, amazed the New York press by saying that, yes, he would accept coming off the bench in order to collect his $22 million this season.

In the Big Apple, that was considered a STORY — but not to D’Antoni.

“For you all, that’s big news,” D’Antoni told reporters. “For me, that’s how everybody should act.”

“I’m really proud that he did that,” he added, referring to Marbury. “But it shouldn’t be newsworthy. To do the right thing should never make the news.”