C’s Depth Too Much For LeBron, Cavs

Posted by Adam Hart October 28, 2009 at 8:04 am

On a night in which the Los Angeles Lakers received their NBA Championship rings, the Boston Celtics were recipients of their own prize — the return of Kevin Garnett. Read more

How ‘Bout That

Posted by Adam Hart June 17, 2009 at 8:24 pm

Arf! Arf! Arf! That’s what a dog says. A big, scary dog that wants to win the NBA title next season. Well, it also says this… Read more

Time To Say Goodbye

Posted by Adam Hart May 23, 2009 at 8:55 pm

It is a near certainty that the Celtics will not keep all of the team’s free agents. Who will stay and who will go, you ask? Mike Giardi has got you covered with an assist from Adam Jones of ESPN Radio. Read more

Game 7 Running Blog: Champs Dethroned

Posted by Adam Hart May 18, 2009 at 3:10 am

This is it.  Tonight we will know if we get more playoff games, or if we’ll be turning our attention to early season Red Sox action.  …Please be playoff games. Read more

Don’t Be The Bruins

Posted by Adam Hart May 16, 2009 at 5:38 pm

I’ll admit it — I’m addicted to playoffs. Feeling like I’m on top of the world. The rush of adrenaline. Thinking about getting that next score. I NEED IT, man. Read more

Running Blog: C’s Own Game 7’s

Posted by Adam Hart May 3, 2009 at 3:25 am

It’s the most factually accurate title one could ever use. Read more

Like A Fine Wine…

Posted by Adam Hart May 3, 2009 at 12:30 am

…The Celtics prove that in the NBA Playoffs, one gets better with age. Read more

Game 2 plan? Wilt the Rose

Posted by Mike Giardi April 20, 2009 at 5:11 pm

Time to preview Game 2 in three words – if the Celtics want to win, they need to (drum roll) stop Derrick Rose. No 36 points. Execute on defense.

It’s that simple.

Loss On Pierce’s Shoulders

Posted by Adam Hart April 18, 2009 at 8:15 pm

One free throw. That’s all that stood between the Celtics and a (1-0) series lead. How did I see it coming, though? Likely due to my status as a soothsayer. Read more

Finding Balance Between Marburys

Posted by Randolph Charlotin March 13, 2009 at 4:56 pm

Stephon Marbury started two games for the Celtics. While the losses hurt the team, Marbury’s individual performance was more important. Stephon didn’t set the world on fire against Miami, but he was dramatically better than his first start against Orlando.

 

While a four assists, two steals and two turnovers against the Heat isn’t anything special, it’s a huge improvement over the four point three turnover stinker he turned in against the Magic.

 

There’s a lot of room for improvement for Marbury. He’s still rusty, he isn’t in basketball shape, and he hasn’t learned the playbook and how to execute the plays properly.

 

Clearly Marbury isn’t playing like the Marbury of old. He’s a career 19-point scorer who was able to go anywhere on the floor as he pleased. While never a big assists point guard, he averaged a respectable seven per game in eleven years. The Celtics want to see more of that player.

 

But not a full return of that player.

 

And that’s where the problem lies. While always a proficient scorer, the Celtics want Marbury to be a better facilitator. Boston wants Marbury to remain aggressive and score, but to do so within the team and not by taking over. Boston doesn’t want to see Me-bury.

 

That’s why Marbury is having a difficult time adjusting to the Celtics. It’s not a question of talent. The problem is whether he can contain the ego that rests inside his tatted dome.

 

Marbury always thought of himself as the best player on every team he played on. He felt that way even during his three years in Minnesota playing with Kevin Garnett. His ego wouldn’t accept being in Garnett’s shadow. Eventually Stephon got his way and was traded to New Jersey. Me-bury was in his desired situation: He was the best player on the Nets.

 

Marbury put up great numbers with the Nets, but wins never matched his statistical productivity. It was the same story with Phoenix and New York. Marbury is 396-507 in the regular season, played in only three winning seasons, and he never won a playoff series.

 

Marbury never made his teammates better. But at least he got his numbers and the spotlight was on Me-bury while the losses mounted.

 

Stephon’s character took another dent because of his feud with the Knicks. He seemingly wanted his money more than the freedom to play with any team. And his refusal to play in a game when head coach Mike Iavaroni asked him is another strike. The league took notice, as Marbury was a landslide winner of the player least wanted as a teammate vote in a Sports Illustrated players poll.

 

But talented players always get another chance. And this chance with the Celtics could be Marbury’s last.

 

To go from years of being a ball hog to team player isn’t going to happen overnight. Marbury must check his ego at the door and accept his new role off the bench.

 

For what it’s worth, it seems like Marbury is trying. But he’s playing timid and his game looks forced. Boston will need Marbury as a reliable ball handler and another scorer off the bench.

 

Somehow Marbury needs to tap into Me-bury without overdoing the selfish player that produced individual statistics with few results. That approach won’t be accepted by KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

 

The Celtics made it work with Sam Cassell last year. As long as Cassell played effectively within the team concept, he got playing time. When Cassell shot too early too much, he took a seat.

 

This year’s major chemistry experiment is Marbury. It’s been a rough two weeks for Marbury, but it’s possible he can find the right balance in time for the playoffs. But Marbury doesn’t have much time to figure it out.

 

To read more by Randolph Charlotin, visit his blog at http://www.newenglandpatriotsnews.com/randolphc/weblog/.

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