Monday, January 5, 2009

CAN STARBURY HELP THE CELTICS?

After winning 19 straight games, something happened to the Boston Celtics. They lost three of four on the west coast, and then were embarrassed at Madison Square Garden by the lowly New York Knicks.

With the team struggling, rumors began to swirl about bringing in Knicks malcontent Stephon Marbury as a backup point guard. Marbury, who is still under contract in New York, would bring veteran depth to Boston's struggling bench, and would allow Eddie House to play his natural position, getting open and shooting the rock. But Starbury should only don the green and white if he can accept a few basic conditions:
  • Rajon Rondo is the starter, no questions asked. Marbury will be his backup, but Rondo will continue to start and get the crunch time minutes.
  • Steph will make next to nothing for the rest of the season. The Celtics shouldn't compromise any cap space on him, and he will only be signed for the rest of this year. Besides, it's not like he needs the money, New York is paying him $22 million not to play for them this season.
  • One strike and you're out. The Celtics have really good chemistry, which is one major reason they are currently the defending champs. Chemistry has never really been what Marbury is known for, so any kind of pouting should end this experiment quickly.
If Starbury can abide by these three rules, he can be a huge asset to a struggling Boston team. And if not, there's a nice seat for him on the bench at MSG.

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