ESPN reports that "according to sources close to the situation" the Knicks and disgruntled guard Stephon Marbury are nearing agreement on a buyout that would clear the way for his departure from New York, and lead to him heading to Boston. Marbury is believed to be giving up roughly $2 million in the deal (some of which he would recoup with his Celtics contract). It is rumored that several Celtics players reached out to him last week, urging him to make this happen. The 32-year old has averaged 19.7 points and 7.8 assists for his career, but has yet to play a single game this season. I know I've talked about "low risk, high reward" signings in the past, but I believe this may be the definition of it. Obviously Danny Ainge had an idea this might be happening when he freed up space (Cassel, O'Bryant) last week. Welcome to Boston (hopefully) Steph!
Posts
12 comments:
Not a done deal officially, but it appears "everyone" is saying that it is. VERY interesting!
Yup. I am excited.
With T.A. out now, and another guard "sorely" needed, I may have come around on this one.
Also, being a Celtics fan first and foremost, with this looking inevitable I am [obviously] happy to continue cheering on the team.
It will be interesting to watch his first couple/few games though, not even so much to see how he does as a Celt (though that will be interesting too, we have the whole rest of the season to see that) but to see, almost like a social-experiment, how a guy who literally has not played a game, will be jumping back into it at such a level. Either way it is pretty exciting prospect - one not usually seen post-trade deadline.
I am coming out 110% in favor of signing Marbury. The second team desperately needs a selfish offensive player who can create his own shots. Also, he is playing for a contract. KG and PP will be able to keep him in line for a few months. If he isn't committing first degree felonious assault, rape, and possession with intent to distribute on his way to the gym, Marbury and House on the floor together could be good too.
I dream of him playing great for the playoffs, and the celts locking him up for a sign and trade with baby, pruitt and a draft pick for Camby.
On a sidenote, in a combination of last week's Free Agent Friday and an "In Case You Missed It", Mikki Moore signed today. Since I just posted about him on Friday and this news is clearly bigger (if made official) I didn't think it necessarily deserved it's own post, but deserved a mention.
It is amazing that POB isn't seeing minutes on Toronto!
POB updates from me will pop in at Celts related posts - I will also try and be relevant to the topic.
On that note, Marbury must go to the hole for him to be worthy of minutes. Shooting 3s? Fine...but Pruitt does that.
FYI: None of this can be official until Marbury clears waivers which wont happen until Friday morning.
Pruitt arrested in L.A. today. Suspicion of DUI.
There's a good article about Marbury & the Celts on Yahoo! right now:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=jy-celticsmarbury022509&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
(nice to see since they usually are heavy NY supporters/Boston haters)
I have got to be the dissenting voice here. I don't love this. I feel like this guy makes every team he has been on better....by leaving.
I don't disagree WJ. I am hopeful though, and the article I read/put up here, seems to really hammer home the point that 1 strike and he's out.
I hear ya though...
Haha! If ever a picture was worth a thousand words it is now, this opening shot of Marbury jumping up and down. He is SO HYPED!
If he fires a little extra tonight I'll forgive him.
The questions about whether Marbury will fit in, act up, or interfere with Celtic chemistry remind me of all the talk about Randy Moss. Remember all the worries about what a disruption he would be? Marbury wants to win, is saying all the right things, and I can't imagine him throwing hissy fits here. Wouldn't you if you had to deal with Isaiah Thomas?
Post a Comment