Marbury wants to return

[Celts17Pride]

And free agent guard Stephon Marbury said he would like to re-sign with the Celtics if he is offered a fair deal. Marbury will be an unrestricted free agent beginning Wednesday and is excited about the possibility of making a title run again next season.

‘‘I’m not trying to get a bunch of money,’’ Marbury said. ‘‘I know Boston doesn’t have a bunch of money. I’m not seeking out teams with more money. I want to play for a championship-contending team. I can’t play for a young team that’s not in a position to compete for a championship.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... it:celtics

[Avalanche]

whatever the increase we can make on his vet min from last season, offer it... if he takes it, move on to back up SF, C and work him hard in training camp

i think hes better then anyone else we will pick up for the same price

if he cuts in to the MLE though... thats another story (i dont think he will, and definitely shouldnt)

[BRUNiNHO91]

He must know we are getting Sheed...

[Celtics_Champs]

A training camp with starbury and sheed, bring them along, and it's on to number 18!!

[BeanTownBrawler]

Now we just need a swingman...

[CelticFaninLBC]

Wallace, Hill, Marbury.. Get it done DAnny.

[MaxwellSmart]

Wallace, Hill, Marbury.. Get it done DAnny.

hmmmmm.....yes, it might make up for last season.

[Celts17Pride]

Wallace, Hill, Marbury.. Get it done DAnny.

Add Oberto for the vet min. also and that would be a dream off-season.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Wallace, Hill, Marbury.. Get it done DAnny.

Add Oberto for the vet min. also and that would be a dream off-season.

I'd like to see Danny turn Scals, TA and Giddens' $7 million into something. If Wallace is signed for 2 years, then it seems they may go after someone in the $9 million range whose contract is up in 2010-11, since there won't be much money for free agency in 2010.

[CelticFaninLBC]

What happens to House, if Marbury returns? I don't think it's a idea to have both. What are the options if he picks up his option. When can he be dealt or can he?

[Darth Celtic]

house and marbury play at the same time, as marbs can gaurd most sg's and play pg on offense.

[MVP16]

I wonder what a "fair deal" is. If we spend the full MLE on Sheed or some other free agent and keep Big Baby, I don't know if we would offer more then the minimum for Marbury (unless House opts out). Our 2 primary concerns are a center and sf. If we fill those 2 spots, I would feel comfortable having House + (Pruitt or Hudson) behind Rondo to start the year.

[Slartibartfast]

I'd be hesitant to bring him back. He played hard and I liked him, but House does the job well enough not to spend another 2-3 mil on another back-up 1. If we get Grant Hill, I think there'd be no use for him, as we'd be adding the needed playmaker at a position of need.

Starbury does seem to be far saner and less cancerous than AI though. Wonder how many people would have predicted that a year ago?

[Jwade]

I'd be hesitant to bring him back. He played hard and I liked him, but House does the job well enough not to spend another 2-3 mil on another back-up 1. If we get Grant Hill, I think there'd be no use for him, as we'd be adding the needed playmaker at a position of need.

Starbury does seem to be far saner and less cancerous than AI though. Wonder how many people would have predicted that a year ago?

New York is a hostile place to play when you are the highest paid.

[bc legends]

If we can manage to keep House and sign Sheed and Hill I don't see why we wouldn't keep Starbury at a reasonable price especially with a training camp under his belt.
I'm sure he knows Sheed is on his way and any sane person knows a bench with those four along side our starting five is a lock on #18. Why even bother playing the season? might as well just give us the title? If only it were that easy...

[Kefa461]

And free agent guard Stephon Marbury said he would like to re-sign with the Celtics if he is offered a fair deal. Marbury will be an unrestricted free agent beginning Wednesday and is excited about the possibility of making a title run again next season.

‘‘I’m not trying to get a bunch of money,’’ Marbury said. ‘‘I know Boston doesn’t have a bunch of money. I’m not seeking out teams with more money. I want to play for a championship-contending team. I can’t play for a young team that’s not in a position to compete for a championship.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... it:celtics

You can't beat that kind of talk......a full camp will do wonders........

[underneathtoDJ]

Marbury and House both have spots on this team. I think a full training camp with the C's will do wonders for Marbury. We have to remember he hadn't played in over a year when he came over to us last year and he started to show signs of the old Marbury once he got his legs under him. I think he could be a great scoring PG for us, while allowing Eddie to slide to the 2. With Marbury driving to the hole, House can set up in the corners and let the 3's fly.

If we can add Marbury, Sheed and a Grant Hill type, I will be doing backflips.

Rondo/Marbury/Pruitt
Ray/House
PP/Hill/Giddens/Walker
KG/BBD/Scal
Perk/Sheed/vet min (Oberto/Rasho type)

That's a roster that can compete for #18. If we were able to package some combination of Pruitt/Giddens/Walker/Scal for another piece of the puzzle, even better.

[billfromBoston]

Here's how it could go down:

- Backup PG - Marbury: Because of the offer the Celtics gave him last year - full pro-rated MLE - they can re-up him for about 2.9 million a this season W/OUT going into the MLE or LLE - this is huge.

I personally think that Marbury will be fantastic with a full off-season, TC, and Pre-season under his belt, but regardless, Boston isn't going to get a better backup PG then Marbury - its just not going to happen. Marbury ran the pick-and-roll to perfection last year and his shooting woes should be fixed over the summer - the man has scored over 14K points in his career - you don't forget how to shoot.

- Backup SF - Grant Hill: Hill is turning 37 this year and has stated he'd only like to play "one or two" more seasons. He is looking for a ring and has a great relationship with Doc Rivers. Hill has been pretty durable the past two seasons - no foot issues. Boston would be looking at about 15-20 minutes a night from him, which is perfect for both Hill and Pierce's general health. I think this is a done deal.

- Backup PF/C - Rasheed Wallace: This is where it all comes together. It'll take the MLE to get Sheed away from his other suiters and Boston doesn't have the money to spend on a top flight reserve big AND fill their other needs if they have to use the MLE for other positions. This is why Hill and Marbury make so much sense - they fit the price range w/out taking away from MLE.

Sheed is older and he has his flaws, but intererest, not ability, has always been his problem. Last year he played fantastic basketball until the season looked like a lost cause and he then mailed it in. That won't happen when he's playing for a title alongside his good buddy KG.

Sheed can play both big man positions, which will allow Boston to use a 3 big rotation and keep a 4th as a reserve - Scal fits as one of those reserves, Oberto could very well be the 3rd C in this equation. A Perk/KG/Sheed trio would be very good defensively and would give Boston potent production for 48 minutes out of the F/C position.


Bottom line: If Boston lands Sheed, both Hill and Marbury are highly likely to accept the figures listed above because Boston will be primed for title contention and each would have a substantial role.

- Sheed - 30 mpg at F/C
- Hill - 15-20 mpg at backup 3
- Marbury 25 mpg backing up PG/SG

Its a perfect response to the other eastern conference moves without over committing financially or mortgaging the future. Team still has Hudson/Pruitt/Giddens/Walker to develop, (though I think Pruitt is going to get beat out by Hudson.) Davis likely walks in this scenario, but Powe becomes a low-risk investment.

The next 3 years then become about development and positioning for new additions - if Hill plays 2 years then Walker/Giddens will be ready to step in at the wings by the time he's done. Marbury holds the fort down for 2/3 seasons until Hudson/Giddens show they can handle time. Sheed allows Powe to rehab and gives the team a window to find a young backup C/F for the future.

I see this is "Plan A" for the off-season and if it goes down Boston is loaded for another 3 year run at the title - no extended minutes - no overreliance on any of the aging stars - huge bench depth - unbelievable experience - still have youth who are improving - financial flexibility for future.

Get 'er done

[BillessuR6]

Here's how it could go down:

- Backup PG - Marbury: Because of the offer the Celtics gave him last year - full pro-rated MLE - they can re-up him for about 2.9 million a this season W/OUT going into the MLE or LLE - this is huge.

I personally think that Marbury will be fantastic with a full off-season, TC, and Pre-season under his belt, but regardless, Boston isn't going to get a better backup PG then Marbury - its just not going to happen. Marbury ran the pick-and-roll to perfection last year and his shooting woes should be fixed over the summer - the man has scored over 14K points in his career - you don't forget how to shoot.

- Backup SF - Grant Hill: Hill is turning 37 this year and has stated he'd only like to play "one or two" more seasons. He is looking for a ring and has a great relationship with Doc Rivers. Hill has been pretty durable the past two seasons - no foot issues. Boston would be looking at about 15-20 minutes a night from him, which is perfect for both Hill and Pierce's general health. I think this is a done deal.

- Backup PF/C - Rasheed Wallace: This is where it all comes together. It'll take the MLE to get Sheed away from his other suiters and Boston doesn't have the money to spend on a top flight reserve big AND fill their other needs if they have to use the MLE for other positions. This is why Hill and Marbury make so much sense - they fit the price range w/out taking away from MLE.

Sheed is older and he has his flaws, but intererest, not ability, has always been his problem. Last year he played fantastic basketball until the season looked like a lost cause and he then mailed it in. That won't happen when he's playing for a title alongside his good buddy KG.

Sheed can play both big man positions, which will allow Boston to use a 3 big rotation and keep a 4th as a reserve - Scal fits as one of those reserves, Oberto could very well be the 3rd C in this equation. A Perk/KG/Sheed trio would be very good defensively and would give Boston potent production for 48 minutes out of the F/C position.


Bottom line: If Boston lands Sheed, both Hill and Marbury are highly likely to accept the figures listed above because Boston will be primed for title contention and each would have a substantial role.

- Sheed - 30 mpg at F/C
- Hill - 15-20 mpg at backup 3
- Marbury 25 mpg backing up PG/SG

Its a perfect response to the other eastern conference moves without over committing financially or mortgaging the future. Team still has Hudson/Pruitt/Giddens/Walker to develop, (though I think Pruitt is going to get beat out by Hudson.) Davis likely walks in this scenario, but Powe becomes a low-risk investment.

The next 3 years then become about development and positioning for new additions - if Hill plays 2 years then Walker/Giddens will be ready to step in at the wings by the time he's done. Marbury holds the fort down for 2/3 seasons until Hudson/Giddens show they can handle time. Sheed allows Powe to rehab and gives the team a window to find a young backup C/F for the future.

I see this is "Plan A" for the off-season and if it goes down Boston is loaded for another 3 year run at the title - no extended minutes - no overreliance on any of the aging stars - huge bench depth - unbelievable experience - still have youth who are improving - financial flexibility for future.

Get 'er done

This is exactly what I want to see! Great job as always BFB!

[Fencer reregistered]

Bill,

Great analysis! And great news that Marbury can be given some respectful amount of money.

And I also agree that if Sheed comes, Davis will (sensibly but regrettably) choose to walk.