Sure, the balls are different, but the arrogance (and often times blonde-cheerleader-esque airheadedness) of Dodgers OF…er…free agent OF Manny Ramirez and the Knick divorcee guard Stephon Marbury have more in common than you may think.  And the acquisition the Celtics are making in taking a flier on Marbury proves one of two things: the C’s are desperate for any sort of backup for Rajon Rondo, or Boston is playing the economic-friendly card by switching all shoes to the cheaper Starbury brand.

 

None the less, despite the daggers often thrown at Marbury for his stubborness this season (and annoying behavior in season’s past), the man can still play.  Marbury is 32, 3 years younger than 2 time MVP Steve Nash.  Man-Ram will be 37 this year, yet still will be making in the $20-25 mill range over the 162 game season.  We all know Ramirez can hit the daylights out of the ball.  We should also point out Marbury averages nearly 20 points and 9 assists per game in his career. 

The underlying question here is can Stephon handle being a full-time backup?  Will he be okay NOT being the star?  Perhaps his main concern at this point is winning a ring.  If so, good for Doc Rivers.  But if Marbury is obsessed with dollar signs, and a new contract for next year prioritizes itself above team play, then the C’s will have made a huge mistake. 

Stephon can do two things: break out, be a star 6th man and provide valuable minutes resting Rajon Rondo.  Or, he can be the NBA’s version of T.O., drain the team’s chemistry, and have minimal contribution to the team. 

Here’s to hoping he’s not the head-case in Beantown that he’s been in NY.  If Stephon plays like he’s capable of playing, we’ll be looking at one of the best post-trade deadline pickups in NBA history.