Take the gamble
Hoopshype.com readers may recall a recent column I wrote on Stephon Marbury, in which I basically called out the Knicks for the way they’ve handled this rather noxious situation this season. The story also contained the following: “Many teams wouldn’t take on Marbury at any cost, which is probably going to be evident when he does extricate himself from his current situation and becomes a free agent. His track record just isn’t all that overwhelming.”
Well, I still stand by the second sentence.
There apparently may be a soft landing spot for Marbury in Boston once (or should we say ‘if?’) he does work out a buyout with the Knicks. To date, Marbury has shown little to no inclination to accept a buyout. As long as he sticks with that rather Neanderthal strategy, he will (a) remain a Knick in roster-spot only and not play a minute this season and (b) forfeit whatever chance he might have this season of getting on with his basketball life.
And until that happens, there’s no place for Marbury to go. To the vast majority of ordinary and even extraordinary wage earners out there, it has been and remains incomprehensible that Mabury would not agree to give up a portion of his $20.8 million to secure his freedom. He’s made well north of $100 million playing in the NBA. And he’s drawing a line in the sand over $1-2 million, some of which he’d immediately recoup by signing with another team and the rest he could recoup with a new deal? Unfortunately for Marbury, this position is what’s driving the ‘reputation discussion’ these days. As in, ‘how can he be so stupid? What is he thinking? Is it just about the money?’
While I am not a big Marbury fan – and I believe I am in the majority on this – I have trouble seeing a downside to him coming to the Celtics. You have to think he would be willing to accept a backup role – if he isn’t, it’s ‘end of discussion’ – and would be on his best behavior. If he decides to go into Knucklehead Mode, well, that’s what waivers are for. The Celtics wouldn’t eat more than a veteran minimum guarantee, pro-rated.
Ever since James Posey signed with New Orleans last summer and PJ Brown retired, apparently for good this time, the Celtics have known they need to bulk up their bench. While Marbury does not address one need – size – he does address a number of others.
He can handle the ball. That was a concern last year as well, which led to the February signing of Sam Cassell. The Celtics re-signed Cassell, but he still has yet to play this season. The other point guard options – Eddie House, Gabe Pruitt – are either out-of-position players (House) or still raw around the edges for the playoffs (Pruitt.)
Marbury also can, as they say these days, score the ball. Having a reliable scorer in the second unit has been a problem for the Celtics all season. One night Tony Allen looks like he’ll be the guy. The next night he looks the guy who the Celtics refused to extend last summer and whose mere presence on the court last spring inspired dread and fear in Celtics fans.
Marbury also would be insurance if one of the guards got hurt. (The Celtics’ three guard-small forward starters have yet to miss a game this season.) Plus, if he did come in and play well, the Celtics could consider him down the road, as one of the issues on the horizon is that Ray Allen’s deal expires after the 2009-10 season. While Marbury and Allen were taken in the same draft (1996), and, in fact, traded for each other that day, Marbury is two years younger.
The behavior question is really moot. Think Randy Moss and the New England Patriots. The Celtics have a strong locker room and there is no way that Danny Ainge would foist Marbury on his coach or his team without running it by all of them. Ainge likes to think outside the box – remember his pursuit of Reggie Miller in 2007? – and Kevin Garnett, a former Marbury teammate, would have to agree to be in the ‘let bygones be bygones’ mood. I mean, Marbury broke up a promising Timberwolves team by demanding a trade – in March of 1999. Isn’t there a statute of limitations on that?
And while Marbury’s track record is suspect – the teams he leaves tend to get better – this is different. He would not be the focal point, but a role player. He would in all likelihood get his opportunities in the playoffs, as Brown and Cassell did, but he’s still going to be backing up Rajon Rondo. That’s a given. If Marbury wants to start and play big minutes, then Boston isn’t an option.
You have to believe this is going to be resolved. The Celtics and Cassell waited until late February last season, but part of the holdup was the usual oafish brinksmanship from the Clippers. This time, it’s the team (New York) that is initiating the dialogue and desirous of a divorce. But it’s also a team which has shown no inclination to simply waive Marbury. For New York, it would be preferable to let Marbury calcify and then bid adieu at season’s end (assuming, of course, that there is no trade.)
In the end, this one seems to be falling on Marbury. Clearly, he knows his Knicks days are over. He knows there is interest from the defending NBA champions, a team which can use him to try to repeat. What on earth is he waiting for? The Thunder?
achurcher Said,
January 3, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
what a disgrace to give such a personality a chance @ a mega million dollar buyout from the Knicks then the chance to immediatley contend for a title in the NBA with the celtics. Its no wonder the US is in so much corporate trouble with stupid collective bargaining agreements like that in big companies and sports teams! If any player acts like Starbury and refuses to play, he should be sanctioned and banned for a season, teach them a lesson they understand, hit them in the hip pocket.
BrianBoitono Said,
January 3, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
I grew up on marbury and garnett. I would give my boy squelch’s left nut for that to happen again. Marbury can be a punk but he really isnt a bad dude from what i can tell. Immature, a little too street sometimes yeah but he isnt all bad. the best point the article makes is like D Miles, if it doesnt work out its easy to trim a vet min contract off the books. risk vs reward is off the charts here. you would be crazy to think he couldnt give boston 15-20 sollid bench minutes. is JR Rider looking for work as well??? peacee
Lebron Said,
January 3, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
Please make this happen, it is a win, win. Star Barry gets his hands on some fresh meat and the Cavs roll to the NBA finals. To good to be true.
Melvin Said,
January 4, 2009 @ 2:16 am
Here goes Marbury’s strengths:
1. Great Physique- Muscular Body
2. He’s one of the best guards driving into the lane (or used to be)
3. Can score 20+ (which the Celtics don’t need)
4. Can hit threes (although just a mediocre shooter)
NudaKucfingMigga Said,
January 4, 2009 @ 2:29 am
This migga destroys the game of basketball, with his over dribbling me first attitude. ban this nudakucfer from the NBA
BRAINFOOT Said,
January 4, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Brian: Nobody is all bad, anyone can be a punk now and then, but “punk” seems to define this dude’s career to this point, right down to the silly 3 tattooed to the side of his bulbous head. I can’t believe the NBA is messed up to the point that this douche gets to pull his refusal-to-play antics, get paid $21 mil on punishment, then when he finally gets bought out he gets to just jump onto a championship contender and ride the coattails, I love how this world works
Mihajlo Said,
January 4, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
There is something seriously wrong with Marbury. He is the anti-Garnett, polar opposite. His whole career ha been about putting himself first. I wouldn’t trust him if says all the right things now. How can anybody forget that he whined his way out of Minnesota for no other reason then Garnett was awarded a contract that was bigger then his own?
What did his teams in New Jersey do before Rod Thorn pulled that huge heist and got Jason Kidd for him?
People seem to forget that Phoenix happily dumped both him & Penny Hardaway onto New York for one HUGE reason, they didn’t want Marbury’s presence to negatively affect their rising young stars or to impede their respective & continued development, Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson & Leandro Barbosa. Specifically they felt Marbury’s presence would stunt the ultra-reserved Johnson, who, along with Amare just flourished once Marbury was gone and the cleared cap space was used to sign Steve Nash.
D’Antoni was too diplomatic with Marbury, who happened to be the man in Phoenix behind the jettison of Marbury, which still cracks me up when I see Marbury getting all excited about D’Antoni going to New York. The first thing D’Antoni wanted to do in Phoenix was dump Marbury , who could play, & Hardaway who couldn’t play.
D’Antoni should have just benched Marbury for most of the season and then instructed him to go in at the end of games, clean-up duty. Then when Marbury had been embarrassed enough and blew-up and refused to go into a game when instructed, instant contract violation, it becomes null & void. Marbury’s contract doesn’t give him the right to dictate when and at what times he must go into games. Apparently D’Antoni asked him to go into a game instead of telling him to do so.
Needless to say I’m not a Marbury fan and his arrogance over claiming that he had already earned his $20 million prior to the first game even being played this season is sickening.
BrianBoitono Said,
January 4, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
Mihajlo- good point with making him eat mop up minutes. his ego wouldnt allow such a thing and he would have been in violation in no time. D’Antoni would have done the franchise a favor. He should understand by now being nice doesnt usually make business sense in the NBA
Todd Said,
January 4, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Marbury’s ugly departure from Sota coincide with the Joe Smith saga? He’s the catalyst for the “desparation” leading to the destruction of Sota in that aftermath for the next few years. The NY situation is just ugly, NJ was ugle, and phoenix was ugly…Stay away from ugliness Beantown - Garnett, you know bettter alread!
deuce Said,
January 4, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
YEH MARBURY SHOULD BE SENT TO THE TORONTO RAPTORS DATS WUT IM SAYIN THAT WUD BE GREAT FOR THEM …
David Said,
January 5, 2009 @ 8:56 am
Why is so much being written about someone who matters so little??
jacob Said,
January 5, 2009 @ 11:41 am
boston has become famous for taking in the bad attitude guys and making them good again…
randy moss
corey dillion
ricky davis
etc.
the risk is too low to not make this move. the worst you do is cut him at a vets min. and you move on… i dont think the celtics care about starbury enough for him to ‘ruin’ the lockeroom… last time i checked bench guys dont ruin lockerrooms
frank B Said,
January 5, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
As a Laker’s fan, nothing could be finer than seeing Marbury in a Celt’s uniform.
How will he help the team? The Celts are really missing Posey and PJ Brown. Without them they have no size and little athleticism (Leon Powe is athletic, but undersized for a rebounder) off the bench. Big baby comes up to about Bynum’s waist. The Laker’s forwards on the bench (Radmonivic, Ariza, Odom, and Powell are the same height or taller than the Celt’s backup centers!
When has Marbury been a winner? He has been on some teams with some decent players but how many times has his team made the playoffs? Won a playoff series? How he got a $20 million contract is hard to understand; no wonder he doesn’t want to give one penny back for a buyout!
Hasn’t anyone noticed that Rajon Rondo is playing like an all star? That Ray Allen is an all star? The Celts don’t have a guard problem, especially if Sam Cassell can give them some minutes in the playoffs.
The best thing for Lakers fans would be watching the never was Marbury destroy the Celtic team chemistry
Fanofthenight Said,
January 5, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
give the man a chance.
DS Said,
January 5, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
Wow here we go with the Marbury hate. It’s funny that people say every team has gotten better when Marbury left which is false.
-Minnesota won 26 games before Marbury got there. Even when he left the team regular season record got better but they always got knocked out the first round. Untl Spree and Sam got ther
-NJ had been terrible for years so. And when Marbury got there half the team was in IR. Kidd had a great run there but the team has fallen off into mediocrety.
-Phoenix he kinda dropped a load with them but he was only player to show up against the Spurs. He was also Barbosa’s best friend on that team so saying he was cancerous to him is a lie.
-NY had won 30 then 37 games before Marbury got there. They haven’t had good management since Ernire Grunfield was the GM. The verdict is still out on Walsh. And even when Marbury said and did all the right things what did D’Antoni do stab him in the back and lie. If he didn’t want Marbury he should’ve have him deactivated instead he had him play in the preseason and then DNP-CD the rest if the way.
And let’s not forget that off the court Marbury is one of the most charitable players in the NBA. Look at money he donated to the Hurricane Katrina relief. And what other player had there signature shoe at 14.98.
I’m not saying that MArbury is an angel and he hasn’t done any dumb or questionable things. (45 million for the jet or that tat.) But he isn’t Satan reincarnated as alot of you try to imply.
themadkiwi Said,
January 5, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
Knicks trade Lee and Marbury to the Blazers. Blazers trade LaFrentz to the Knicks and Outlaw and Frye to the Clippers. Clippers send Camby to the Knicks.
Blazers extract some benefit from the Celtics and waive Marbury.
Done.
thegipper Said,
January 5, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
I think it would be interesting. Marbury doesn’t address the size need, but the scoring would help the bench. Let’s let this happen, and let the Cavaliers and Lakers fans rejoice! Although usually, when I see stuff like this, it’s out of fear. Could the Lakers and Cavs fans be worrying about what would happen if the World Champs got some consistent scoring off their bench? Because one thing I’ll tell you is the Celtics will play defense. It’s their offense that has them faltering lately, particularly off the bench.
jn Said,
January 6, 2009 @ 5:38 am
Same here.
I don’t see why people assume Marbury would accept a lesser role, just because it fits their fantasy. Did Marbury ever show an inclination to do so? Spare me the strong locker room talk - Doc Rivers and the Celtics managed to work out a fine balance where three star players are not jealous of each other and the supporting cast feels right in place. That’s huge, hats off to them. But throwing Marbury in could just bring the whole card house down. We’ve seen champion team lockerrooms unravel like that.
Marbury does not help addressing any of the weaknesses of the Celtics except for scoring from the bench - on the other hand it may mean he refuses to play Eddie House’s minutes, fill Rondo with doubts and breaks the delicate balance of the Big Three.
As a Laker fan, bring it on.
Dwayne Said,
January 6, 2009 @ 11:43 am
marbury = basketball cancer
this guy is not about playing team basketball. he is all about fame and money.
Dwayne Said,
January 6, 2009 @ 11:45 am
the NBA would be a real dissappointment to me if Marbury ends up in the Finals.
EJ Said,
January 6, 2009 @ 11:54 am
How does everyone not see that this would be a hell of a move. Mabury maybe has lost a half of step, but I feel he’s been bogged down by Larry Browns style of play & then off the court issues with Isiah Thomas. Ppl say he over dribbles, then praise CP3… when he clearly could not exist with a true creator on the wing (check their rostor full of shooters). If the Celts get Marbury, the Celts hang banner #18… Period!!!
lakerfan Said,
January 6, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Wow! What a dreamer! I hope it comes true. Star gazer has played 18 playoff games and shot 36%. He has started every game except in his rookie year and you think he will go to the bench. The only reason the Celtics need help is for the playoffs so all Lakers fans would love to see this happen. That would pretty much assure the Celtics would be looking up at the Lakers back line all 4 games!
Starbury’s downside blown out of proportion? Said,
January 6, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
[...] May of HoopsHype.com writes that if the Celtics decide to sign Stephon Marbury, it might not be such a bad thing. While I am not a big Marbury fan – and I believe I am in the majority on this – I have trouble [...]
FORREST CRUNK Said,
January 6, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
EJ: Come on dude. He lost a half-step before he even put a Knick jersey on, and you think last year’s season-ending ankle surgery doesn’t mean he will have lost another?
I do feel sorry for the guy in a way, I know other selfish morons who crapped their career away in an blaze of egocentric, me-first behavior and it’s always sad to watch. He’s a douchebag, but he is a very rich douchebag so he ended up doing something right after all I guess
Jairic Said,
January 7, 2009 @ 1:23 am
Guys, how do you not see the Celtics for what they are? Right now they are desperate. After that 18 game winning streak which was almost entirely made of up of bad teams they lost to the incredibly superior Lakers, and have lost like 5 out of 8 since then. This is a group of guys that have never won anything before last year for a reason. Paul Pierce can score, and kinda rebound and that is absolutely it. KG is a great player but a pile of crap of a person. He talks more trash than Gary Payton on crack in the play ground, KG serves only to piss of opponents and make them play harder while making teammates feel like crap. Ray Allen is a shooter, end of story. He can’t do anything else for a team.
Now, last year you put this merry band of morons together and they were all so happy to have a title thrown in their laps that they behaved, played me last ball and won a title. This year, the honeymoon is over. They have no idea that they are too old, to unskilled, too selfish, too immature, and too complacent to win. If you dont’ believe me, ask Danny Ainge who is trying to get anyone he can to sign with the C’s to help> HE KNOWS THIS IS THE TITANIC AND HE’S TRYING TO PATCH IT BEFORE IT GOES DOWN!
This is the story with the Pistons as well, same script different players. There will always be those teams that can bond and play well enough as a team to win one title, and then the next year they look like idiots.
The Celtics are shell-shocked after the Lakers beat them, and they are never coming back. They will probably make the playoffs, thanks to the string of bad teams they played early on, but one of the REAL championship contenders will knock them off, and it will all start over in Boston.
This team is the weakest spirited most trash talking, wanna-be-though-guys probably in league history. When Morbury gets there it will complete the iceburg and this baby is sunk. The players know it too, the mere fact that Ainge is willing to gamble on Marbury tells them all they need to know.
At least last year you could say that this team conducted itself with a reasonably amount of class, this year every team that plays them complains about the huge amount of sh!t they talk and the dirty play, especially by KG and Leon Powe. When/if Marbury gets there, this already in shambles team’s locker room will crumble.
“What can they say now?” That you’re garbage KG.
space Said,
January 8, 2009 @ 11:30 am
the celts need some athletic size in the middle and another scorer. preferably one from the post but another designated scorer from the perimeter is good too. house is a shooter, plain and simple. rondo is inconsistent, but that is his style of game. he can go for 5-10-5 one game then 20-5-3 the next. cassell may be past his age of effectiveness. right now the celts are hurting and are out of sync. they are still top three in the east easily. moving the center bryant into more play and signing marbury might make a difference.
i will never be a marbury fan but strategy wise, this seems to be a move worth considering.
Fred Towes Said,
January 10, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
By no means is the appropriate question here re: pursuing Stephon Marbury, if you are the Celtics (or any other elite professional basketball team). Quite the contrary & given the player’s history, the appropriate question is, why?
Here’s hoping this absurd story sufferers a duly warranted fade into into nonsense & whimsy . . .
Fred Towes Said,
January 10, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
The problem with stephon marbury’s game is not that he “overdribbles”, nor that he is a gun. To be frank, he has the talent & skill to get away with both unfortunate tendencies on the court, even at the one, & still flourish.
Marbury’s game-relevant problem is that he plays “ulterior agenda basketball”. That is, his decisions on the court are not informed by the game’s fundamentals &/or by in-game circumstance. Instead, Marbury responds to forces & concerns that are preconceived, concocted as per his Starbury alter ego’s consultation with his own possessed muse & his entourage of sycophants. In this way, Marbury is an archetypical caricature of mid-to-late 90’s elite-level basketball. It is Marbury’s ulterior agenda game that distinguishes him from a Chris Paul. Because he has the ball at his palm so often, it is the predominance of starbury’s ulterior agendas that render his presence so very detrimental to a basketball collective.
Put him back on Coney Island, on a playground, in a 21-Hustle, he’d thrive. On the court, in the game of games . . . he is animated detritus.
Peace,
MT
Reading is Great! Today’s NBA Rumors, Updates, and Heresay - EmptyTheBench.com Said,
January 13, 2009 @ 9:28 am
[...] - Raptor Blog - … and freeing up 35+ minutes per for Andrea Bargnani is one reason why. - HoopsHype - One writer thinks there’s no downside to Boston signing Marbury. - Full Court Press - There [...]