Celtics Sign Marbury

The Boston Globe reports

The Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent guard Stephon Marbury. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed, though two NBA sources said before Marbury cleared waivers that he would sign for the prorated veteran minimum of $1.3 million for the rest of the season.

“We are very excited to have a player of Stephon’s caliber joining our team. Our entire organization is confident in the belief that Stephon can play an important role in helping us to win another championship,” said president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.

Some additional information

Ainge said on sports-radio WEEI’s “The Big Show” shortly after 4 p.m. that he expects Marbury will play tonight, saying he’ll likely be “thrown into the fire.”

Marbury, atwo-time All-Star who will wear No. 8 with the Celtics, is undergoing a physical this afternoon and is expected to attend a closed practice at TD Banknorth Garden at 5 p.m. before tonight’s game against Indiana.

Roster Spots

The signing of Stephon Marbury brings Boston’s open roster spots to a close, with all fifteen slots now in use.

Celtics Rotation

Who will the Celtics use of the bench and what role will Stephon Marbury play for the club?

I expect the Celtics to use a regular nine man rotation — Stephon Marbury, Eddie House, Leon Powe and Glen Davis — on an interim basis.

I also think Mikki Moore will be given minutes as an opportunity to showcase himself, and depending on how well he does he could knock one of BBD/Powe out of the rotation, but that isn’t a given because Davis and Powe are quality players who know the system.

The loss of Tony Allen to injury has left the Celtics bare on the wing, so at least until his return we’ll likely see a two guard backcourt from the Celtics with House and Marbury. Stephon will defend opposing two guards, but on the other end of the floor he’ll be the point guard and floor general, while Eddie House plays off the ball.

It’s unclear what will happen once Tony Allen returns. I think the C’s need his defense on the wing, but I lean towards them sacrificing that for the stronger offensive contributions of Eddie House.

Shooting

I’d feel a lot more optimistic about this signing if James Posey were still around. The reason for that is simple — the Celtics have only player capable of hitting a jump shot outside of their Big Three and that’s Eddie House.

House is not only their one top shooter outside of their top players, but he’s the only jump shooter period.

• Neither Rondo or Perkins have proficient jump shots, so there is no help from the starting lineup in this regard.
• The bench’s two big men in Powe and Davis both have sub-par jump shots.
• Then we arrive at Tony Allen, their best wing, who is another player incapable of hitting jump shots with regularity.

Stephon Marbury is a solid jump shooter but not the marksman of Eddie House’s caliber. What happens if Eddie has to be sacrificed for more defense? For say Tony Allen? How much does that effect the Celtics ability to space the floor for their top players?

The Celtics ability to spread the floor with shooters was a huge part of their run for an NBA title, especially Posey and their small ball lineups. They’ve already lost part of that advantage, how much more can they afford to lose?

And how much do they lose if Marbury is in, and House is out?

Of course, for the interim basis I expect Marbury and House to play alongside one another, so it won’t be an issue now — but it could become an issue down the road when Boston desperately need a third wing to spell Pierce and Ray, and to defend players like LeBron James.

Marbury’s Defense

Marbury’s effort defensive has been inconsistent throughout his career, and as a result his effectiveness defensively has seen a lot of different results. But we have seen times when Marbury has put in the effort, and when he does he is a capable defender. Not a high quality defender, but solid (mediocre).

Stephon Marbury is a better defender at the two spot than at the point. His quickness advantage helps him limit the amount of dribble penetration he normally concedes, while his strength helps him stave off bigger guards in the post. This is important for Boston because Steph will be defending the two spot to keep House away from opposing two guards.

Eddie House is the better defender at the point. This means if House is sacrificed for a true wing down the road, then we’ll see the C’s lose a little bit defensively at the point guard spot with Marbury.

House = Shooting Guard?

I know a good chunk of (not all) Celtics fans prefer to see Eddie House off the ball and think he’s a superior player at that spot.

I disagree though, I think Eddie is at his best at the point. The C’s lose some fluidity to their offense with Eddie at the point, but he does a credible job, and I think their bigger lineup gives the team a bigger bump at other positions.

The reason why I don’t like Eddie off the ball is because I think Eddie struggles defending the wing, and that he gives up more than he gets on the other end. When teams use that two guard backcourt and place the other guard on the wing, then that point guard usually struggles defensively too. Those two guard backcourts usually hurts their team’s individual and team defense.

Although those Celtics fans who prefer House as a two guard do have some good reasons, and they are absolutely right when they say it makes him more effective offensively and it gives the team a much better offensive rhythm when they have a true point guard out there. I’m just not convinced it gets the C’s more than they give up.

Conclusions

Is it a good signing? Sure

There’s no real risk here for Boston, and a lot of upside. So it’s definitely a good signing. Marbury could give them a legit 6th man, and a guy who can create for himself and others while coming off of the bench. That added weapon could become a difference maker for the club.

While I think that upside is possible, I must admit I do not think it’s a certainty.

Also, I would have been just as happy with Boston not signing Marbury because I think Eddie House has done a great job for Boston over the past two years. I think House’s contributions when playing the point have been undervalued.

A YouTube Clip Of Steph’s Press Conference

Flip Saunders Approves Of Move

Mark Murphy reporting for the Boston Herald, and he has some good quotes from Steph’s ex-coach Flip Saunders

Unlike most, Saunders trusts Marbury’s motivation – on the floor, anyway.

“Anything he does in a game is strictly to win,” Saunders said. “Your greatest fear if you’re on the other team is his desire to win. His greatest strength can also be what you worry about, though. He wants to win so much that he thinks he can do it on his own. He wants to win more than anything, and he’ll do whatever that takes. But Doc (Rivers) will be able to control this, I think.

“Steph is the kind of player who is going to win a game or two in the playoffs on his own. I think he’s still that kind of player.”

Count Saunders among those who believe Marbury will accept his spot behind Rondo, even when the latter goes deep into games.

“I think (Marbury) will be patient,” Saunders said. “Doc will play who he has to play, and (Marbury) will go along with it.”

Flip also believes that Steph has a lot left in the tank

“He has a lot of basketball left to play,” Saunders said. “It won’t take much to get reacquainted with KG. He and KG always played well together. Steph now knows there’s (23) games left in the season, and he’s dying to play. He’s a competitor. A team player. He’s just anxious to win.”

There are some other good quotes from Flip Saunders as he reflects back on his young T’Wolves team and Steph’s decision to leave. Click the link for more on that.

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Tagged: Celtics, Free Agency, NBA

Posted in: Free Agency