Can you believe it? All reports are that the New York Knicks and PG Stephon Marbury have agreed to buyout terms, and he will be waived. Because it happened before March 1st, Marbury will be able to join a team and be on their playoff roster.
Things are starting to fall into place for the Boston Celtics. Make it happen! ! In the last week the C's traded Sam Cassell and Patrick O'Bryant freeing up space on their 15 man roster. Between the trades and the injuries to Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, and most importantly Kevin Garnett the Celts are down to just 10 active players: Pierce, R. Allen, Rondo, Perkins, Powe, Baby Davis, House, Pruitt, Walker, Giddens. They could use some help, not just for now, but come playoff time as well.
Boston had the best record in basketball last year and still made 2 signings after the trade deadline in P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell. The former was far more important down the stretch then the latter, but it was obvious that the Celtics needed to make simil! ar moves this year. In fact, with the loss of James Posey, the! y needed to make at least that much noise.
The Green addressed their big man depth today by signing 7 foot journeyman Mikki Moore. Believe it or not Moore was on the Celts for '02-'03 for 3 games. In addition to Boston, Moore has played for Detroit, Atlanta, New Jersey, Utah, LA Clippers, Seattle, and Sacramento. What a find! Moore gives them length, energy, and 6 more fouls. In all seriousness not a bad move adding to the bench.
More importantly the C's mus! t bring in Starbury. Rondo is playing great, but who's the back up PG? Eddie House? (avg. 1.1 assists per game). Gabe Pruitt? (0.8 assists per game). House is a great 3 point shooter, that should be his role come playoff time, not running an offense. The 2nd unit needs scoring. House is currently the best scorer off the bench, you would only help him and the bench as a whole by bringing in Marbury.
Of course there will be objections.
When was the last time Steph played? Yeah, it was awhile ago. That's fair. But he turned just 32 last week, and he doesn't have to be the All-Star PG he was in the past to contribute on this team.
He's selfish. Really? He averages 8 assists a game for his career. Look a! t some of the teams he's been on in the past, he had to be "St! arbury" and put up a lot of shots. He's going to a team that had 3 other players who were used to being the go-to guy. I think he'll be just fine.
Will he accept his role? Why not? Cause he's selfish right? Well Marbury is in a contract year, and if he wants another NBA contract he better show that he can help a team win, in whatever role. And if he is a part of a long playoff run for the Celtics what better way to show himself off. He'd be on more nationally televised games in the post season then the Knicks had all season long.
As a huge Celtics fan I want Marbury. Maybe he will have already signed with the team by the time you read this. All I know is the Celts needed help to win the title last year, and they got it. They need help to win the title this year, and it just came available.
-Keefe
