ESPN: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal

[RebusRankin]

I'm conflicted on this one. He's been a cancer and idiot but he is talented. We do need a scorer off the bench and a natural pg. I'm in the hope for the best with this one.

[Vermont Green]

OK, there are now 3 or more versions of the story but my analysis of the scenario where the Celtics get Marbury is that how ever unpleasant, it has to be tried.  This assumes that Marbury would acknowledge a 2nd team role.  He may say this to start and then morph as the season unfolds but he needs to look Danny and Doc in the eye and at least say, I accept that role.  He would be great for the second unit.  We need length more than offence but he still would be an upgrade so we need to capture whatever low risk upgrades we can.

Keep one other think in mind, the "Phil Jackson Rondo Defense" (PJRD).  We have now seen this deployed several times and quite successfully (Kobe on Rondo but really playing free safety because Rondo still can't shoot).  I love Rondo but LA has a way to exploit his glaring weakness.  Marbury would need to be the counter to the PJRD as I am sure other teams have been watching.  To successfully use the PJRD, you need a PG that can cover Ray Allen and a SG who is athletic enough to play free safety and still get back to Rondo when he drives.  In the finals, we had only Eddie or Sam as a counter which might not be enough this year.

[Hoops]

Any "distancing" by Ainge is likely for the purpose of throwing everyone (especially the Knicks) off the scent. We all know how much love NY has for Boston sports teams. There's no way they're going to buyout Marbury knowing that he's headed to Boston. But if Ainge emphatically denies the possibility, there's a small chance NY might succumb to the pressure to release the Starbury.

[RebusRankin]

Marbury is the crazy hot chick of the NBA. The question is where exactly is he on the crazy-hot scale?

[Redz]

Marbury is the crazy hot chick of the NBA. The question is where exactly is he on the crazy-hot scale?

right about here:

[Vermont Green]

Any "distancing" by Ainge is likely for the purpose of throwing everyone (especially the Knicks) off the scent. We all know how much love NY has for Boston sports teams. There's no way they're going to buyout Marbury knowing that he's headed to Boston. But if Ainge emphatically denies the possibility, there's a small chance NY might succumb to the pressure to release the Starbury.

There is also that tampering thing.  Ainge can't say anthing about Marbury while he is under contract.  It is a very easy and convenient out for saying nothing.

[Hoops]

Any "distancing" by Ainge is likely for the purpose of throwing everyone (especially the Knicks) off the scent. We all know how much love NY has for Boston sports teams. There's no way they're going to buyout Marbury knowing that he's headed to Boston. But if Ainge emphatically denies the possibility, there's a small chance NY might succumb to the pressure to release the Starbury.

There is also that tampering thing.  Ainge can't say anthing about Marbury while he is under contract.  It is a very easy and convenient out for saying nothing.

Yeah, that's true. But if he really wants to make NY more comfortable about releasing Marbury, then Ainge will go a step further than necessary to distance himself from Marbury.

Speaking of tampering, since Marbury has no agent, it doesn't seem that there could have been any opportunity for a meeting of the minds to this point between Marbury and Ainge given that Ainge can't talk to Marbury. Maybe they've exchanged messages through a third party. But as much as I'm inclined to believe the speculation, it's worth remembering that nothing is remotely close to official until after Marbury gets his buyout - IF he gets his buyout.

[guava_wrench]

I can't stand Marbury, but I also can't stand losing. I have been patient with the bench, but I am starting to get frustrated.

I imagine signing Marbury would mean Cassell gets cut and hired as a coach. It would also mean Pruitt rides the pine, if he is even active for games.

[EJPLAYA]

I think that NY really doesn't care where he goes, including Boston. They know they aren't competing for a championship for 2-3 more years minimum, and likely not the playoffs even,  and aren't going to hurt themselves just to hurt Boston. They want this thing done and gone and if he signs with us then so be it. If they were close then that would be true.

I hate to say this because I really don't like rewarding bad guys, but this may actually be what we need. A penetrating passing PG who can put points on the board. It would make House better. It would make our big men better. It would make TA better even. Yes it would eliminate any Gabe minutes, and House and TA's would go down some, but I think we are a better second unit with him. Doc and Danny can have a KG-POB conversation with him up front and an extremely short leash. You know Starbury wants to get rid of this tag of never being a winner. He would feel like he was the difference if we won again and he might be right...

[Redz]

He's only a bad guy until his first good game...See Randy Moss

As long as the Celts can control some sort of short leash, what's the harm in giving a talented punk a shot?

[RAcker]

From the article:

"Boston also knows it would have the option to simply release Marbury without significant salary-cap consequences if he fails to click as a backup or proves unwilling to accept a secondary role."

Then why not take a chance on him?

He knows he is going to have to be on his best behavior on and off the court or he's done. 

Don't do it unless this is true, Danny.  Proceed with caution.

[winsomme]

I think that NY really doesn't care where he goes, including Boston. They know they aren't competing for a championship for 2-3 more years minimum, and likely not the playoffs even,  and aren't going to hurt themselves just to hurt Boston. They want this thing done and gone and if he signs with us then so be it. If they were close then that would be true.

I hate to say this because I really don't like rewarding bad guys, but this may actually be what we need. A penetrating passing PG who can put points on the board. It would make House better. It would make our big men better. It would make TA better even. Yes it would eliminate any Gabe minutes, and House and TA's would go down some, but I think we are a better second unit with him. Doc and Danny can have a KG-POB conversation with him up front and an extremely short leash. You know Starbury wants to get rid of this tag of never being a winner. He would feel like he was the difference if we won again and he might be right...

is that really what he is EJ? The times that i have seen him most recently he just seems to dominate the ball...often to the detriment of others..

weren't you upset about Sam doing that last year?

I find Marbury's career very frustrating....all the skills and often saying all the right things (like when he moves on to a new team) but in the end the same problem over and over that got him his nickname...

[celticmaestro]

He looks good in Green.

[Hoops]

From the article:

"Boston also knows it would have the option to simply release Marbury without significant salary-cap consequences if he fails to click as a backup or proves unwilling to accept a secondary role."

Then why not take a chance on him?

He knows he is going to have to be on his best behavior on and off the court or he's done. 

Don't do it unless this is true, Danny.  Proceed with caution.

I can't criticize anyone for vocalizing that thought, but I think it goes without saying that Ainge will proceed with caution. I think Ainge has earned the assumption that he won't move on Marbury unless he's confident that it will pay dividends.

I was absolutely in support of giving Miles a chance and that's exactly what Ainge did. Ultimately, Ainge, in his wisdom, decided (for whatever reasons) that it wasn't going to work and so he cut Miles.

I think Marbury is worth a similar look. And I trust that Ainge will be just as wise and prudent about it. My hunch is that having carefully considered everything, Ainge will pull the trigger and sign Marbury.

[yupitsme]

WE WANT STARBURY WE WANT STARBURY!!!!!!!!!THE 3 WILL CHILL HIM OUT...BELIEVE THAT!. (sorry for CAPS)