Sources: Marbury Will End Up With Boston

[Andrew]

Story @ RealGM

Sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com this week that Boston is Stephon Marbury's preferred destination if he manages to become a free agent and that the Celtics are indeed hopeful of signing him.

Celtics' GM Danny Ainge did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a New Year's Day holiday for the entire league and has generally refused to address the possibility of signing Marbury.

One Celtics source insists that Kevin Garnett has voiced no opposition to the idea of signing Marbury for the rest of the season to strengthen Boston's backcourt depth behind starters Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen.

When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury joining the Celtics this season, the source predicted that "it will happen."

If that's true, then I'm stunned.

Let's put aside whether or not Marbury "deserves" to play for a contender as that's one of the first things to come to mind and let's face it, the fact of the matter is he deserves to play for anyone willing to give him a chance to play; he's entitled to any job that's offered to him, the same as anyone else on this planet. But that the Celtics even have interest in bringing him in boggles the mind. Sure, he's a proven talent but they don't really need another point guard at this juncture, least of all someone with the kind of baggage Marbury brings. It would be a low risk move in most respects, he needn't be around any longer than this season and he won't be paid anywhere near the amount the Knicks are currently paying him but it still seems like an unnecessary move. If they want a veteran point guard who doesn't mind playing behind Rondo, they've already got Sam Cassell.

Good luck to both sides if it happens, but I just wouldn't have expected the Celtics of all teams to have interest in Marbury. It should be noted however that there is some skepticism as to the accuracy of the report.

[shadowgrin]

It that happens, I expect the Cavs or Detroit to be in the Finals.
I don't want Marbury messing the young players heads, especially their PG Rondo.

[Gameboy]

I don't know if this would be a good idea for the celtics. Well I agree Marbury is like a poison to the young talents and I don't think it would be helpful for the team in any way.

[BIG GREEN]

How would it not be helpful if he's comming in as the 6th man? He will get to jack it up and not have to worry about passing...perfect situation for the guy. He can be their replacement for posey.

[Jing]

Upside is he might bring some good energy and whatnot off the bench, and playing for a title defending team might change him for the better. Unless of course he keeps his negative attitude and brings down the entire Celtics team, which was my first though when hearing of this. If he gets out of his Knicks contract he'd get the league minimum and that isn't a big burden in terms of salaries anyways.

[Andrew]

How would it not be helpful if he's comming in as the 6th man? He will get to jack it up and not have to worry about passing...perfect situation for the guy. He can be their replacement for posey.

Marbury's not an off-the-ball player like Posey though, he prefers to have the ball in his hands and does most of his damage that way. I'm not sure he'd take to be a spot up shooter off the bench. Maybe it could be a stroke of genius, a lot of people thought the moves the Heat made before the 2006 season wouldn't get them to the Finals let alone the championship (I was certainly one of them) but they made it work for one year, which is more than a lot of teams can boast. It could be the same for the Celtics as they try to repeat but with Marbury's reputation for being toxic in the lockerroom and reports of personal issues between him and Eddie House, I'm skeptical.

[Jeffx]

Being a Celtic hater, this is wonderful news. He'll wreck their chemistry and wear out his welcome like he's done everyplace else.

[Patr1ck]

I don't believe so. If he gets on that team, I think he will accept his new role, and have a different attitude because the team is already a proven winner. Stepping in, he would already know that he is not the main guy, not the second guy, and not even the third guy.

[Bruce]

Steph's primary concern this season is to show he can still be a good player in the league to get a big fat contract come off season. Talent-wise he still has got it, he proved that by showing up in the Knicks' preseason games. I think if he signs a contract with Boston, he'll suck it up and play ball. And KG who had falling out with Steph, will probaby suck it up as well for the sake of the team. If Steph goes for the right price, I don't see why the Celtics wouldn't make a gamble for him. Even at his age, he could still be serious competition to Rondo's starting spot. But, probably the C's would want him off the bench. But if were signed though, I think Steph is only about as a good as an experiment or back up for the C's.

What I've wondering tough is why haven't the C's plugged the hole that Posey left. There are tons of players out there dying to play for Boston even if it means taking minimum money.

[Mandich]

I honestly think it wont happen. The Celtics really don't need another PG. Even Marbury is a great talent, he is cocky and he would fuck up the team. I think they'll try to bring a Center, they really need one, Perkins can't do everything by himself.

[Andrew]

Even at his age, he could still be serious competition to Rondo's starting spot.

Perhaps, but he shouldn't be in contention for it. Rondo is a young player on the rise and blends in perfectly with the rest of the starters, content to be the distributor for now and not look for his own shot as much. I'm skeptical that Stephon Marbury could make that same sacrifice having become accustomed to a bigger role through the majority of his career. Maybe being a member of the defending champions with a shot to win it again will change him but it's one of those things that has to be seen to be believed. He's had three changes of scene since he came into the league and each time it's been suggested that the new situation will appease and change him but it doesn't seem to be the case.

[NovU]

marbury needs to come to houston and save the rockets.

yeah at the right price, i think boston will sign him. but i don't know if marbury wants to win a ring that way just yet. he's still got some gas left in him i believe. so even if he ever ends up playing for boston, he'll still try to prove that he can provide in stats and stuff. i dunno if it's gonna be a good thing or a bad thing for boston. however, i think it's gonna be worth a try from boston's perspective at a reasonable price.

[Kenny]

marbury needs to come to houston and save the rockets.

History would more likely show Marbury doing the opposite for every team he's ever joined. There's no doubting his skill as a basketball player, but his temperament isn't great. Apart from his first two seasons with Minnesota, he's only been to the playoffs twice in the past 12 seasons he's played. That would suggest to me that he couldn't save any team.

[Drex]

He has a history of wearing out his welcome everywhere. But not on the first season. If he fucks up, I doubt he'll do it in 6 months. Besides KG is there to talk to him and be a friend. He needs those right now.

[Andrew]

i dunno if it's gonna be a good thing or a bad thing for boston.

If he comes in wanting to be the star then I can't see it being a good thing. They don't need him to fulfil that role and they don't need the distraction of him being unhappy in a lesser role. They needed Mutombo more than they need Marbury, and they didn't desperately need Mutombo to begin with.

[Doobie]

I am really starting to think Marbury won't get waived by New York, this is taking so long . By the way Andrew I heard rumors you were making Doobie a mod?

[shadowgrin]

Doobie a mod?! That's as horrible as Marbury being a Celtic.

[Andrew]

No, but to help out with your new year's resolution I'll be making sure there's plenty of bottled water in the vending machines.

As for Marbury, the new year is admittedly pretty young but previous reports seemed to indicate as soon as 2009 rolled around, cutting Marbury would be imminent. Looks like there won't be a buyout, last I read Marbury is refusing to even consider it until the Knicks repay him the $400,000 he claims they had no right to dock him with the suspension and fine last month, which I doubt they'll do unless the Players Union successfully appeals it.

[Clueminati017]

Marbury to the Celtics??? Not bad. It's a refreshing start for him, and plus he'll be reunited back with KG. Hopefully, this time this wouldn't have to be another jealous factor on how much KG is making.

[hova-]

Clueminati017, I have not really thought about the re uniting thing. Maaaan, KG + Starbury was a good story in Minnesota. Awesome to watch.

And I always have to post this pic when I think about these days

[Clueminati017]

Clueminati017, I have not really thought about the re uniting thing. Maaaan, KG + Starbury was a good story in Minnesota. Awesome to watch.

And I always have to post this pic when I think about these days

Showing that pic right there had me going on YouTube bringing back the old ESPN Magazine commercial of them two.

phpBB [video]

Classic commercial for ESPN Magazine

[Andrew]

Some highlights from a game in their first season together:

phpBB [video]

Also noteworthy for being the game that Dennis Rodman kicked a cameraman.

[Axtacy]

brilliant by the cameraman....cristiano ronaldo moment

[Andrew]

Comments from the Celtics (most recently from Rajon Rondo) suggest that there's something to the initial report and that Boston is certainly open to the prospect of bringing him in to the point of being enthusiastic about it, so I guess they're banking on him turning over a new leaf. If it happens, I think it will be one of those moves that has a big impact either way; it'll either prove to be a stroke of genius or it'll blow up in their face with Marbury pulling...well, a Marbury and making a big fuss over something, clashing with teammates or otherwise alienating them or letting them down. I don't think there'll be a result in the mid-ground.

[erik_twism]

I say that the Celtics should take marbury, he still is a good player and can give them help at the point. Furthermore I say that Marbury might accept the smaler role,he wants to show the Knicks that he´s still good and can fit in, he is not expected and not needed to be the go to guy, he´s in a position to win a ring with the Celtics and if he causes trouble it would be easy to cut him. So I don´t see a to big risk for the Celtics.