It was a perversely familiar sight for Nets fans: Stephon Marbury, his team down by 20, sat forlornly on the bench with a towel draped over his head.

Yes, once again, Marbury was a big loser at the Meadowlands.

Only this time, he was wearing a Phoenix Suns uniform. For months, the Nets have been telling anyone with a pen or microphone that they are a better team since trading Marbury for Jason Kidd. Last night, they proved it to by crushing their former point guard and the Suns, 106-87.