I had just watched three high school guys go in the top four, the Nets foolishly trade away Eddie Griffin, and someone named Raul Lopez go before Jamaal Tinsley. Surely that was all the night had in store.

I arrived at Justin's -- Puffy's restaurant in NYC -- at about the time the Knicks picked Eric Chenowith. This little event was supposed to be the "Eddie Griffin After Party Celebration." Before I realized there was no need to stand in line, I was standing next to this guy wearing a wife-beater and Timberlands, glued to his cell phone. If it weren't for the diamond stud in his ear the size of a dog's head, I probably wouldn't have noticed him. Stephon Marbury, ladies and gentleman. No doubt he was on the phone trying to figure out why he won't be passing the ball to E-Griff this season.

Inside, the AC pumped slightly harder than the sound system cranking out hits from Bad Boy, Puffy's record label. Outside, a white stretch pulled up and Rodney White, the newest Detroit Piston, and nine of his family members and friends jumped out. They walked single-file to the restaurant area in the back of the club, each wearing a bright red Pistons hat.

Ten minutes later, Tyson Chandler arrives with his mom, Verne Threadgil, AAU coach and fam in tow. They head to a table for 12. Chandler is the only one in his group wearing a Bulls hat. When he got traded, the league only gave him one Bulls hat in exchange for 12 Clippers hats. I chat him up for a few minutes and find out he's totally psyched to be going to Chi-Town. "This is exactly where I wanted to be," he said, finally loosening up his tie. "I might sleep with this hat on tonight."

I headed out to get something to eat. Puffy never showed up. Neither did P. Diddy. Needless to say, Eddie Griffin didn't show up, either. And he never will. But that'll hurt Steph a lot more than me.

Chris Palmer covers The NBA Life for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at christopher.palmer@espnmag.com.