Starbury and the Celts: Can He Guard the 2?

Earlier I argued that, despite a few obvious problems (Stephon Marbury is, at this point in his career, a below average player who also has a long history of causing chemistry problems) the Celtics probably would not regret signing Stephon Marbury. This is for a couple of reasons:

1. Even though he technically plays the same position - point guard - as two much more productive players, starter Rajon Rondo and backup Eddie House, Marbury likely wouldn't take minutes away from those players, because his skill-set would allow him to play on the second unit alongside House. Their skills compliment each other. He would essentially be replacing the injured Tony Allen, rather than taking minutes from the point guard duo of Rondo and House.

2. If Marbury doesn't work out for the Cs, they could easily cut him. He needs them more than they need him, as they don't have much money invested in him, yet his hopes of ever being a productive NBA player again hinge on this experiment working out.

The second premise was initially tested when the details of Marbury's deal emerged. Rather than signing a non-guaranteed contract for a prorated share of the veteran's minimum, Marbury signed a guaranteed contract for a little more than that. I think the Celtics may, thus, have overpaid for his services, but not by much. They still don't have much invested in him, and can still easily cut him if he proves to be a liability.

As for the first premise, it rests on Marbury's ability to handle the ball against pressure (something House, though a low mistake player who doesn't turn the ball over much, has difficulty with) and guard the 2 (something House simply can't do, which is why, though a much better shooter than a ball handler, he plays the point).

Zach Lowe of CelticsHub takes a detailed look at Marbury's defense in the Cs loss to the Pistons last night. The results (despite posting a +6 for the game in a ten point loss) weren't always pretty.

No shock here, but despite being incredibly strong (a trait that caused me to believe Marbury could guard the 2) he struggled mightily against the Pistons' bigger guards. Some of that was Doc Rivers' fault. No way a 6'2" point guard should be matched up against the 6'9" Walter Herrman. But it also points to a real potential problem with playing Marbury and House together, which keeps Marbury from taking minutes from House or Rondo.