Celtics Make Moves Looking To Repeat

No one would argue that the Celtics starting five of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins is not capable of hanging with the best that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers have to offer. The problem that has plagued the Celtics in their quest to repeat as NBA champions is their lack of a bench. Other than Eddie House's shooting and the combined efforts of overachievers Leon Powe and Glen Davis (neither is taller than 6-8), Doc Rivers doesn't have too many options when he needs to give his starters a breather. The bench lacks a true backup point guard who can score or a big man who is taller than most teams small forwards. With that in mind, Danny Ainge has been very active in the past few days. He signed free agent center Mikki Moore (a real seven-footer!) and with the news breaking yesterday that the Knicks have released Stephon Marbury, it looks like he has found his point guard. The rumors of Marbury coming to Boston have been talked about more than Rihanna's ability to take a left hook. Marbury has been boasting all year of his plans to join his best buddy Garnett on the parquet and now that he finally has come to an agreement with the Knicks, he is free to wear the Green. Marbury's (possible) arrival in Boston brings mixed feelings. He is a talented offenisve player (career average of 19.7 points) who has been to two All-Star games. He also has a history of being hard to deal with because of a massive ego. When he was a rising star with KG in Minnesota, he forced his way out of town because he wanted more money than the Timberwolves were willing to pay. His release from the Knicks has been delayed because Marbury wanted New York to pay all of the remaining money on the $21 million he was due to earn in 2008-2009. Will his selfish attitude stick with him in Boston? Will he be a negative influence on Rondo? You have to wonder what the long-term impact of the Marbury signing will be on the lockeroom. This is the perfect example of beggars not having the time to be choosers. Yes, Marbury and Moore both have their warts but they do provide the Celtics with what they need. Marbury is a big-time scorer who should learn from KG, Pierce, and Allen that playing on a winning team is more important than an extra few million dollars or a few more shots every game. Hopefully he will be to the Celtics what Corey Dillon and Randy Moss have been to the Patriots. In the case of Moore, if he can rebound and defend (and maybe hit an open jump shot or two) than his signing will be viewed as a success. I will give credit to Ainge. He realized that his team was not deep enough to win another championship so he acted as best he could. Don't forget that the massive contracts of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen limit his options so finding Marbury and Moore in the bargain bin was his only real option. Rivers now has choices when he goes to his bench and the Celtics are a better team on paper today than they were on Monday.