Starbury Talk Bolsters Boston’s Persona

Okay, so the Celtics are in a slump of truly cosmic proportions. They’ve lost the G.O.A.T. numbers game, and to pretty ratty opponents. What’s more, they now just seem so ... vulnerable.
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↵Which is why it’s such a strange time to see Boston’s troops lining up to praise possible Celtic, grade-A wacko, and total NBA outcast Stephon Marbury. Some choice quotes from the Daily News: ↵↵⇥KG: “I’m not opposed to Steph. I feel like Steph has a lot of basketball in him and his IQ is very, very high. He is one of the best point guards I have ever played with. I wouldn’t be opposed to that. If Steph came to this team and made it better, I’m all for that.”
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↵⇥Ray Ray: “He’s been a great talent in this league for a long time. I don’t know the situation that happened with him in New York, but I know he’s got a lot of basketball left in him.”
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↵⇥Pierce: “He’s a rare talent. ... It’s an unfortunate situation that he’s not on the court right now.” ↵↵Rondo is almost deferential, and Doc Rivers suggests that Marbury’s untethered firepower could provide a strong contrast to his young semi-star’s occasional shooting problems.
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I’m sorry, but huh? If the Celtics still walked on water, they would have the authority to make this kind of comment. But now, when they’re just another strong team—maybe even one in free fall—the last thing they need to be doing is praising rogue men like Steph. Maybe it’s part of the whole nuevo bad boy, mega-trash-talking image that’s fueled them in their post-championship run; effectively rallying behind Marbury, which will only get louder if dude actually ends up on roster, is exactly what separates Garnett from Tim Duncan, and the Celtics from earlier Spurs teams. Fundamentals with honor, justice and rectitude couched in a Wild West-like attitude and candor.
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↵All these quotes about Marbury are meant to send out good vibes to the mercurial point guard’s camp, not necessarily fine-tune the meaning of the 2008-09 Celtics. There’s an element of coincidence to this whole thing. And yet the willingness to cross that line, and seriously consider Starbury as an teammate, gives us yet another window of insight into this team. They’ll get plaudits, make coaches happy, and could well go down in history. But that doesn’t mean Garnett and the rest are about to shut up or fall in line, even if his team’s stock is on the plunge. That’s just not how they cope.↵