Stephon Marbury's recent claims that he reached a verbal commitment with with the Boston Celtics if he could achieve a buyout with the Knicks was rebuffed today in the Boston Herald citing an inside basketball source. I wonder if that source was called common sense? The Celtics have zero need for Stephon Marbury and the headache that comes with him. Obviously he would have to play for the veteran minimum as the Celtics are already above the cap and only have so much left on their mid-level exception to sign veterans who will be bought out later in the season, veterans they actually have a need for.
Any concerns Boston had last season about their point-guard play is gone as Rajon Rondo has taken a giant step forward. Boston has a plethora of guards at this point with Rondo, Ray Allen, Eddie House, Tony Allen, and Gabe Pruitt (who has been looking better as the year has progressed in his limited minutes). What Boston really needs is more depth up front. Big Baby Davis has taken a step forward this season, but that isn't enough. Kendrick Perkins has had shoulder issues all season, and who knows how long that will last. Brian Scalabrine, who has been somehow become a decent player for the C's this season, just suffered his second concussion in the last three days, so only time will tell what level he will be at when he gets back to the game.
Boston needs another PJ Brown type; a veteran big man in search of a ring who doesn't cause any issues in the locker room. The only part of that sentence that refers to Starbury is 'veteran.' If Starbury really wanted to leave the Knicks he wouldn't let it known that he is close to signing with the C's (currently the East's #1 seed, NY is only one game out of 8th, with Milwaukee being the 8 seed and sure to fall withouht Michael Redd) but more importantly, he would help facilitate the buyout more. By reports I have found, Marbury is not willing to take less then 95% of what he owed by the Knicks. The Knicks have no real reason to let him sign with Boston or more likely Miami, another Conference rival, if they still are going to be paying him almost everything they would owe him anyways.
There's still an outside shot the C's will sign Marbury, but the Heat will probably offer him a bit more money and playing time. It'll come down to Marbury if he would rather have a better shot at a ring or money/PT (assuming the C's have any interest in him at all). Since Starbury is reluctant to take less money from the Knicks so he can play somewhere else (and it's not like he or his great grandkids are gonna starve, he's been getting over $20 million from the Knicks annually), I see him going for the cash and PT in Miami (though him going to Europe wouldn't surprise me either with a big deal) instead of going to the Champs.
What happens if Rondo,god forbid, gets hurt? Don't you think Marbury would make a good/cheap insurence policy if that were to hapen? Who else would step up to the pg position, surely not Allen or House?
ReplyDeletePruitt....eh....
If Rondo gets hurt, the Celts aren't winning the title this year. He's been the MVP of the Celtics this season and has been getting better all year. House is a serviceable backup, but he's no Rondo. Boston is very similar to the Cavs at the point guard spot.
ReplyDeleteEveryone thinks of the Big 3 in Boston and LeBron in Cleveland, but each teams success has been largely in part to the play they have been getting from their point. If either team loses their point guard, they don't have enough to get past the other team.
Marbury sure makes a lot more sense for the C's if Rondo is hurt, but knock on wood that doesn't happen. And since Pierce, Ray Allen, House, Tony Allen, and yes, Gabe Pruitt (I'm feeling a huge break out year for him in the 2009-10 season) can all handle the ball, you could see them becoming more like the Cavs of the last few years, having the ball be brought up somehow then getting it into the hands of the stars. And hey, Sam Cassell is still technically on the roster... Not that he should play, but technically he can.