Now Leaving New York. Next Stop..Boston

The last time Stephon Marbury graced an NBA court it was Janurary 11th, 2008. During that time Marbury was a starting point guard for the New York Knicks and they once again were having a forgettable season.

Since those days, a few things have changed. Isaiah Thomas was out as Knicks head coach, Mike D'Antoni took over head coaching duties and Marbury became a target for the Knicks organization. Marbury, Knick teammates, Mike D'Antoni and team president Donnie Walsh raised the curtains for a back and forth circus within Madison Square Garden.

Recently, Marbury and the New York Knicks finally agreed to part ways after months of stalled negotiations. December 1st was the last meeting between Marbury and the Knicks concerning his contract and what was to become of it. In that initial meeting, Marbury stormed out after just 20 minutes because he was unhappy with Walsh's terms. Since that time Marbury has made appearances at NBA games not as a player, but as a fan. In December, the Lakers took on the New York Knicks at the Staples Center and there was Marbury sitting courtside talking on his cell phone.

Tuesday afternoon the Knicks agreed to buyout Marbury's contract and place him on waivers that would make him available to all other interested NBA teams. In that buyout, Marbury forfeited $2 million from his $20.8 million salary from this NBA season. Losing money hurt Marbury, but breaking the shackles from the Knicks would prove to be priceless for the Coney Island legend.

At 10 a.m. ET on Friday, Marbury will be eligible to sign with any team that seeks interests in the former Knick guard. Many sources around the NBA sees Boston as the team that will sign the now 32 year old Marbury. Boston has kept a close eye on Marbury's situation with the Knicks. ESPN.com reported on January 1st that the Celtics were interested in signing Marbury, if he can extricate himself from his contract with the Knicks.

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers understands that his team is in desperate need of bench production since the loses of veterans James Posey and P.J. Brown. Add in a thumb injury to guard Tony Allen and the release of Sam Cassell and Patrick O'Bryant, Boston needed to fill empty spaces on their bench. The Celtics signed well traveled center Mikki Moore from the Sacramento Kings due to an injury to All-Star forward Kevin Garnett. The Kings waived the 10 year veteran right before the NBA trading deadline.

If the Celtics sign Marbury, it would bolster their bench and provide stability to the backup point guard position. Marbury would move Eddie House to a shooting guard role, which House is more comfortable with. Marbury would also bring instant offense that would ease Celtic fans minds when the starters are out of the game. Remember for his career, Stephon Marbury is averaging 19.7 points and 7.8 assists per game.

Celtic players are welcoming Marbury into their locker with open arms. Players like Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen expressed their thoughts on the possibility of Marbury becoming a Celtic. Ray Allen told ESPN.com that they would have little trouble integrating Marbury into their locker room inspite of Marbury's reputation of causing problems. Kevin Garnett also expressed his willingness to play with his old friend again. Many thought that the relationship between Garnett and Marbury would spoil Boston's chances of signing the troubled guard. During the NBA lock-out season in 1999, Marbury demanded to be traded away from Kevin Garnett and Minnesota after leading the T-Wolves to consecutive playoff appearances in 1997 and 1998.

Taking a page from Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, Marbury and Garnett have put their Minnesota days behind them to see the bigger picture. That bigger picture is another NBA title for the city of Boston.

With LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers hitting their stride in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics need a jolt of energy to maintain the Larry O'Brien trophy. Stephon Marbury might be the energy that the Boston Celtics need.


Be Peaceful

• On Thursday a cloud hung over the city of Chicago as two Bulls legends past away. Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr were two faces of the Chicago Bulls organization before the dynasty days of Michael Jordan. Nicknamed "Stormin Normin", Van Lier was a three time NBA All-Star that led the league in assists during the 1971 season. Johnny Kerr was a 12 year NBA veteran that was awarded NBA Coach Of The Year during the 1966-1967 season as he coached the Chicago Bulls. Both Van Lier and Kerr were broadcasters for the Bulls during the franchises 6 championships in the 1990s. My condolences go out to the Van Lier and Kerr families.

All -Star Memories

Friday night the stars will illuminate the desert as the 2009 NBA All-Star weekend will take center stage in Phoenix, Arizona. When All-Star weekend comes around, there is something that brings out the inner child in fans.

Don't believe me? Well just make sure you watch the events that will take place this weekend. If you view these events, you will see men, women and children jumping out of their seats as if they won the lottery or showing a smile that would make Vice-President Joe Biden jealous. If high-fives were a stock, I would buy as many as I could because they will be in strong demand inside of U.S. Airways Center.

NBA All-Star weekend has a rich tradition that leaves lasting impressions within the minds of fans young and old. The weekend is a showcase for the die-hard NBA fans that follow the league from pre-season practice all the way to the crowning of an NBA champion. My hat goes off to NBA commissioner David Stern. Stern pulls out every bell and whistle in his pockets because people from all over the world turn their attention to NBA All-Star weekend.

Throw me into that section of the screaming adults because when Vince Carter took off for his first dunk in Oakland for the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, I lost my mind! Keep in mind that before Carter, the last time fans saw a dunk contest, a baby faced Kobe Bryant excited a Cleveland crowd and took home the trophy in 1997. For three years the NBA Slam Dunk contest was extinct and fans were a bit frustrated and wanted to see some above the rim creativity. Well in 2000, the dunk contest came back with authority. Vince Carter turned the city of Oakland upside down with a 360 degree windmill dunk that sent a shockwave throughout the NBA and solidified his name within slam dunk history. The dunk was so electrifying, I immediately called my older brother and ask him one question "Did you see that?!!"

From that point on Carter captured everyone's attention and held it for the remainder of the dunk contest. Fellow competitor Steve Francis knew it was going to be a long night because Carter made on-lookers not care about other dunkers

If the memory of Vince Carter's dunk exhibition doesn't excite you, then rewind your mind back to the 1988 showdown between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. Or how about 5 foot 7 inch Spudd Webb representing for all vertically challenged men across the world in 1986?

Still not excited huh? Ok, well allow Larry Bird's greatness cause a rumble within your body . In 1988 Larry Bird looked to defend his three-point crown from the previous year (1987). Bird was so cocky, he told the other three-point competitors that he was going to win the contest again. When the final round came, the energy grew as Bird faced sharpshooter Dale Ellis from the Seattle SuperSonics. Ellis went first, desperately trying to knock Bird off of his thrown, Ellis ended his round with 15 made three-point shots. Ellis's final total left the door open for Bird and Bird's chance to cement himself within NBA All-Star history.

As Bird started his quest for back-to-back shooting titles, there was something wrong, Bird was missing his shots. Coming into his fourth rack, Bird only made 7 three-point shots and he only had 25 seconds top Dale Ellis's score of 15. But in true Larry Bird fashion, the shots that bounced off the rim started to fall through the rim. Bird closed the gap between himself and Dale Ellis, leaving one rack to decide who will hoist the three-point trophy.

It came down to the final three shots and Bird swished the first two. The last ball in all NBA three-point contests is known as the "money ball". This was Bird's last chance to win the contest. Cool and calm like he always is, Larry Bird grabbed the money ball, squared his shoulders to the rim and let it fly. As the ball sailed through the air, Bird started to walk off with one finger in the air signaling victory. It was like Babe Ruth raising his bat and telling everyone in the stadium that he's going to hit a home-run. As you watched Bird walk off, you notice the ball falling through the rim and fans raising their arms. Bird nailed his final shot and defeated Dale Ellis, securing Bird's repeat as a NBA All-Star three-point champion.

That Bird performance has to bring you out of your seat right?.. You said no! Man your a tough judge.

Well listen to this final memory. The year was 2003 and Atlanta hosted the 52nd NBA All-Star game. The game's greatest player, Michael Jordan, suited up for his final NBA All-Star game and his final NBA season. Jordan came out of his second retirement to join the Washington Wizards for two seasons and scratch his competitive itch. Like many NBA All-Star games, the pace was fast and there were a abundance of oohs and ahhs. The game was so competitive and free, it went into overtime where fans enjoyed some extra action on the court.

In the final seconds of a tied basketball game, a familiar scene took place. The scene included Michael Jordan with a basketball in his hands, a game clock winding down, Marv Albert's voice and thousands of screaming fans on their feet. Jordan dribbled left, spun right and started fading away towards the baseline releasing the ball from his hands. Everyone in Phillips Arena watched as the ball glided through the air carrying the anticipation of another Michael Jordan game winning shot. The shot went straight through the rim and pandemonium ensued throughout Phillips arena. Every NBA player instantly became a kid again as they watched their idol connect on a clutch jumpshot in the final seconds of a game. Even though the East lost the game in double overtime, Michael Jordan left fans and players with another great memory to cherish.

These memories and a handful of others makes the NBA All-Star weekend a must see event. Witnessing the genuine smiles and interaction from players and fans strengthens the NBA experience. The thrills within this weekend cannot be duplicated because seeing the human side to your favorite NBA player is priceless for fans. So hold onto your seats when All-Star weekend raises up it's curtain because you do not want to miss the action.


Be Peaceful

• A well deserved applause is due for Cleveland Cavalier Mo Williams and Boston Celtic Ray Allen. Both Williams and Allen have been added the East teams roster for the 58th NBA All-Star game. They will replace injured guard Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic and injured forward Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors.
• The NBA will hold it's first H-O-R-S-E competition during All-Star Saturday night. The participants will include O.J. Mayo, Joe Johnson and Kevin Durant. Hopeful this event will bring a new look to All-Star weekend. It will be interesting!
• J.R. Smith will replace Rudy Gay in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest on All-Star Saturday night. Gay is unable to participate due to injury.