Considering the Celtics have the best record in the NBA, I found this story to be almost impossible to believe, but then there it is. The Celtics are reportedly interested in bringing Stephon Marbury on board once he sorts out how to get out of his contract with the Knicks. No, that's not a joke.
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a New Year's Day holiday for the entire league and has generally refused to address the possibility of signing Marbury. Yet it's believed that the Celtics' concerns about their depth, after losing James Posey and P.J. Brown from last season's title team, have swelled noticeably since they followed up the best 29-game start in NBA history at 27-2 by losing three of the next four games on the road.
[...]
When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury joining the Celtics this season, the source predicted that "it will happen."
[...]
When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury joining the Celtics this season, the source predicted that "it will happen."
I'm absolutely stunned by this. Even though I agree that Boston is lacking in depth a bit, the idea of bringing Marbury aboard seems to be a nightmare waiting to happen. Marbury's pretty much been a cancer on every team that he's ever played for. On top of all that, he's always been a black hole on the court. Plus the man has a tattoo on the side on his head. No one with a tattoo on the side of his head is quite right.
Frankly, this seems to be a panic move by the Celtics based on a minor speedbump, and yet another indication that Danny Ainge can only do so many good things before he starts to torpedo a team. So you lost a few road games on a West Coast road trip, it's not the end of the world. There's no need to start thinking about jeopardizing your team's chances of repeating as NBA Champions because of that.
Marbury is simply too big of a gamble for the Celtics. There's a lot more that could wrong with adding him than not adding him. And really, considering Marbury's track record, you would assume that the only teams that would be interested in adding him would be desperate teams. Boston isn't desperate.
I just can't see this happening, despite all indications that if Marbury gets out of his Knicks contract, it will. Don't do this Boston, there's no question that you'll regret it.
Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in a deal [ESPN]
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