Marbury’s Back – Why No One Has It

He might be good enough to come off the bench and give the Celtics a lift.  He may have stayed in shape over his 12-month sabbatical.  There were some that reported he came to Knick camp this year in as good of shape as ever.  Others thought he was their best player.  But this is a guy who wears a tattoo on his head as his personal billboard.  What are the chances that he follows his track record and brings the Celtics down?

Just as ingenius as it was for Danny Ainge to fleece Seattle out of Ray Allen and get his bud Kevin McHale to send him Kevin Garnett, it could be just as much a blunder to bring a well-known disease into their lockerroom.  He likes to call himself Starbury and he’s supposed to convince us that he can play off the bench.  How long until he tangles with Bob Ryan?  What happens when Michael Vick gets released and they ask Steph about it?  Who’s going to protect the interns in the Celtic front office?

It is a good last opportunity for Marbury.  An opportunity he hardly earned.   Had the Knicks played hardball, they could have held on to him for five more days and let him get picked up by a team until the playoffs, where according to NBA rules, he would have not been able to play.  The Knicks did the right thing.  The only thing they got out of the guy was some of the $21 million they pay him not to play.  And Obama complains about banking industry bonuses.

But when Tony Allen returns, how will Marbury welcome him?  When Eddie House gets hot will Marbury be able to share the ball?  And who will be the best point guard on the team, Rajon Rondo or Marbury?  How will he mesh with old friend Kevin Garnett, who he abandoned in Minnesota so he wouldn’t have to play second fiddle?  How will his ego play to three bigger stars than him?  And  how long will it take him to get the goods on Doc Rivers, or tell him he is a better player and coach than Doc will ever be? 

He certainly isn’t doing it for the money.  He says he wants to win a championship.   At 32, he may be setting himself up for the final chapter of his career.  Maybe he can bury his tendency to sulk and mope.  It’s doubtful he’ll ever be able to control his facial expressions or body language.  History says someone will get his knife in their back.  That’s why nobody will have his.