Hello Stephon.......

So I was at the gym this morning, yes I do go on the rare occasion, and my iPod crapped out on me. I was stuck listening to my fellow gym mates debate the Stephon Marbury acquisition made by the Celtics yesterday. The majority, well actually all, were apposed to the deal. although I'm not really sure why? This is a low risk high reward move for them, here's why.

Lets go with the worst case scenario (which is what most expect), Marbury pouts about his playing time, tries to break up the chemistry, and eventually sits court side with the fans watching the C's play after buying the ticket. Okay, so does anyone REALLY think that's going to happen? Lets be serious people. That's never going to happen. Do you know why it's never going to happen? Because the moment he acts up, he will be cut. He signed for the veteran minimum ($1.3M for his years of service) which is pro-rated for the remainder of the season. So with two months to go, you're looking at $400K, that's not a lot compared to what he can bring to the team.

Marbury is a free agent after the season ends, thus making the remaining two months a contract year for him. While I have no evidence, but I'm sure there is a study out there, my "eye test" tells me that there is significant improvement of a players performance during a contract year. The man has something to prove and should be motivated to make an impact on a potential championship team. And if he isn't, he gets cut. Also, look at the Celtics bench, it's not that impressive. We don't have a James Posey who can contribute, Mikki Moore is no PJ Brown, Eddie House has been too inconsistent so who else is out there that has the potential to score 20 points for us while giving some of the starters a rest. Not to mention he can handle the point (or the two guard) and would keep Eddie House away from dribbling the ball....THANK GOD!!!! Lastly, people seem to overlook the Kevin Garnett factor here. This is a guy who from the moment he was traded to Boston, changed the culture and attitude around the team. He demands accountability from himself and his teammates and it will be no different for Marbury. KG will keep him in line and if he doesn't, say it with me again people.....HE GETS CUT.

So, let the Stephon Marbury era begin, and I hope he can be a contributing factor to a championship team.

Can You Be Traded....Then NOT Traded?????

The trade deadline has come and gone and those big names we thought were heading to other teams didn't really happen. I guess the biggest names to move were Jermaine O'Neal and Shawn Marion. Aside from that we saw minor deals. Of course we saw the trade that happened then didn't happen. Luckily for for Chris Wilcox, he was able to find his way out of Oklahoma City....welcome to New York and all their dis-functionalism.

The move I liked the best is what Orlando did by bringing in Rafer Alston to play point. It appears Jameer Nelson is out the remainder of the season and Tyrone Lue and Anothny Johnson just weren't going to cut it. At least Alston gives them a legit staring PG at a very reasonable price.

The only thing teams can do now to improve themselves for the playoff run is through free agency. Not much is out there, but a few people are expected to become available. The Celtics traded Sam Cassell and Will Solomon (who was acquired for Thursday) to give them 13 guys on their active roster, freeing the way to sign two free agents, maybe Joe Smith and Stephon Marbury? Needless to say the pool will be limited, you might see some veteran players bought out of their contracts but I wouldn't expect too much. It will have to be quick because free agents have to be on their roster by March 1st in order to be available for playoff rosters.