Cut Marbury, bring back Cassell

[Kiorrik]

Okay, corny as hell but hey;

Steph, *I* for one, do believe.

Got get 'm >_<

[TheGreenThumb]

I really think what Doc should do is to run a play or 2 for Marbury to free him up and get him a good shot at making a basket.

This way, it would ease some of the pressure he is putting upon himself in trying to make a good play or make a basket.

[tb727]

Why is everyone saying he's lost his quickness.  I've been impressed with his quickness and thought last night was the best he's been so far at penetrating into the paint and beating his man off the dribble.

When he's on top of his game he's going to light up Gibson and Farmar...

[Kiorrik]

I really think what Doc should do is to run a play or 2 for Marbury to free him up and get him a good shot at making a basket.

This way, it would ease some of the pressure he is putting upon himself in trying to make a good play or make a basket.

Not a bad point actually. I can imagine someone being a bit ... well, intimidated. After all, they *are* champs, and he has a LOT to live up to. A whole lot.

Expectations are high because of so many reasons;
- he has to fill in for Rajon Rondo, arguably the best pure point guard in the league at the moment,
- he has his past, filled with criticism and a bad reputation to make up for,
- he has shown before that he had skills, and now must do it again,
- he's got to be on a level where he can run along with *the* best team in the league: last years champions...

That's a whole lot to live up to after not having played for a long while. I'd be nervous too. And not just for a single game.

[Jon]

If Danny really felt that he needed to bring Cassell back (and I don't think we do), I'd cut Pruitt or Giddens before I cut Marbury.  Marbury needs a chance.  He has the right attitude: he passes first (probably to a fault) and really only is serving as a spot up shooter (which is not his game).  Once he gets comfortable (and starts playing "like Steph" as Doc has said), everything should get better. 

In some ways he reminds me of Giddens in the limited time I've seen him out there, in the sense he seems to not quite know what he's doing and also seems to be trying too hard to fit and not make a mistake at the same time.  Once he gets over that, he can be a difference maker in the playoffs. 

[Greenbean]

I dont think he looks washed up but he looks EXTREMELY uncomfortable. He's getting in the lane but doesnt know what to do with it. When order is restored and his role is defined, hell be okay. Unfortunately, theyre running out of time. When everyone gets back theyll have about 10-12 games to nail the rotation down for the playoffs. I foresee continued struggles until then and Stephon emerging in the last 5 games of the season.

Eternal optimist.

[D Dub]

At least Sam can bring the ball across half court and hit a few shots.
 

I know we are all trying to give Stef the benefit of the doubt and give him time to 'shake off the rust'.  But lets be real here, he has been really bad.  Like D-leauge/YMCA bad.  At least when he was losing with the Knicks he was still a NBA caliber player.  I don't think anyone expected him to be this far removed from his former self. 

He has lost his shooting touch, is too slow to penetrate and is getting the ball stolen from him by backup pg's regularly.  His whole game was predicated on quickness, and he just no longer possesses that trait and can't be effective without it.

Its only a low risk move if you can identify when it isn't working and are willing to rip the band aid off.   
 

Very true, it's important to keep that in mind, just in case. I believe Marbury will improve, but if he doesn't until the playoffs, it's time to consider the OP idea.

Thanks, Cor, for understanding my point.  TP

This 'low risk' can quickly turn into a huge liability that we are stuck with in about 30 days time.

It's important that we objectively judge Steff's performance until then, as small a sample size as it may be.

[moiso]

Why is everyone saying he's lost his quickness.  I've been impressed with his quickness and thought last night was the best he's been so far at penetrating into the paint and beating his man off the dribble.

When he's on top of his game he's going to light up Gibson and Farmar...

He has definitely lost his quickness.  However, like Nash, he's smart enough to know when the defender is off balance and blows by him.  This shouldn't be confused with quickness.  He has shown very little quickness/speed.  Have you noticed that half the time he blows by his man the defense rotates and blocks his shot?  And he certainly hasn't shown any quickness on d.  I think Marbury is a smart player and I'm sure he'll improve and be a benefit for the team, but he below average athletically at this point compared to other point guards.  Remember- this guy was once one of the top few explosive/quick/athletic point guard in the league.  That guy is long gone, and he's been long gone for at least 3 years.

[gpap]

Deleted.  Personal attacks are not permitted.  Do not do it again.

[angryguy77]

I knew I should have made a bet as to how long it would take this thread to be started. The guy is adjusting and he is not shooting well right now. So we cut him after a few games? Seriously. He is a proven talent and I dont think anyone can deny that he has the potential to be productinve again. Remeber Ray ebing MIA for an eternity last year in the playoffs? Should we have given up on him then also? Good and great players have will come through a bad stretch. Marbuty is a good player and I would be wiiling to bet that the people who didnt want him here are going to change their minds by the end of the next ten games(if he gets enough play). If he doesnt get the minutes, then come playoff time he will be ready. He will make some key plays that are going to get us a couple of wins this year in the playoffs and threads hating the guy will vansish....wait this is celtics blog....those never go away

[RAcker]

Yeah, he's playing like a hot stinking pile of garbage right now, but you have to think he's going to snap out of it sooner or later.  Red...where are you?

[EJPLAYA]

Let's also remember that PJ looked like absolute garbage his first few games back and it took him awhile to get his legs under him as well. Marbury will get quite a bit better than he is right now. Better than Gabe at the point, better than House running the point, but just under causing a controversy if Rondo has a bad game. Just where we want him to be.

[RAcker]

Let's also remember that PJ looked like absolute garbage his first few games back and it took him awhile to get his legs under him as well. Marbury will get quite a bit better than he is right now. Better than Gabe at the point, better than House running the point, but just under causing a controversy if Rondo has a bad game. Just where we want him to be.

Well, you definitely got one thing right...there is zero chance of him even thinking he's a better fit at starter than Rondo. IF he does get his sea legs finally and settles in with a healthy second unit...we're in good shape.

[Danimals]

The future at backup guard will come when Ainge uses his #58 pick on 6'3" 190lbs Lester Hudson (recorded the first quadruple-double in Division 1 men’s basketball history).

NBADRAFT.NET:
"Talented combo guard with excellent NBA potential ... Prolific scorer, (over 25 ppg) ... Has a quick first step and a killer crossover allowing him to blow by defenders and get into the paint ... Does a good job of creating baskets for himself and others ... Has precision passes for ally oops even from well beyond the three point arc ... drives exceptionally well, with defenses collapsing on him ... Has a great shot off the dribble, and is able to hit it going straight up or fading away ... Has a terrific body for a point guard with size, length and strength ... Can put points up in a hurry. Advanced mid-range game ... Shows excellent vision and passing ability ... A great defender. A bigtime ball hawk, fourth in the nation in steals ... Shows great anticipation and his quick hands and feet make him a tremendous on ball defender ... Gets good lift on his shot and shows a solid shooting form ... An excellent shooter with 3-point range and consistency on his shot. Shoots threes at a high volume and great efficiency ... His form and strength should allow him to step back 5 feet and hit the pro three with consistency in time ... His body strength allows him to finish after contact, play physical and also helps his range ... Knocks down free throws at a high percentage >80% ... Solid rebounder for his position. Plays bigger than 6-3 with his long wing span ... Unlike many prolific scorers, Hudson is unselfish getting teammates involved offensively, creating easy baskets for them ... Clutch player who comes up with big shots when his team needs them ... Highly competitive ..."

[CoachBo]

FAR too early for a final evaluation on Marbury - and Moore, for that matter.

Steph's not in shape and he doesn't have his legs. We're going to spend much of the rest of the regular season trying to get these two to a level where they contribute to the team.

There's no other choice but to work them in. If we wanted options, Ainge needed to do a better job building a bench last summer.