Marbury to Boston

From ESPN.com:

The Boston Celtics signed Stephon Marbury on Friday after the guard cleared waivers, and the club hoped to have the New York Knicks castoff in uniform for Friday night's game against the Indiana Pacers.

"We are very excited to have a player of Stephon's caliber joining our team," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said in a statement. "Our entire organization is confident in the belief that Stephon can play an important role in helping us to win another championship."

Marbury, a former All-Star guard who alienated Knicks management, teammates and fans, was signed after having his physical at the Celtics' suburban practice facility early Friday.

He agreed to a buyout of his $20.8 million contract and was waived by New York on Tuesday. The Celtics were expected to sign him for a prorated share of the veteran's $1.3 million minimum.

Marbury, who turned 32 last week, hasn't played a regular-season game in more than a year. He will wear No. 8, formerly worn by Celtics star Antoine Walker.

"I believe all systems are go and we will have Stephon on the roster later today," Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said in an e-mail to The Associated Press about an hour after Marbury cleared waivers.

Marbury could be seen from the public area of the workout facility wearing a white, long-sleeved T-shirt and sweatpants, jumping up and down as he took the practice court, smiling and chest-bumping with several people wearing Celtics gear. After a few minutes, the automatic shades were lowered.

Marbury is expected to back up Rajon Rondo at point guard, a role Sam Cassell served when the Celtics won their 17th NBA title last season. Eddie House, who is more of a shooter, has been forced into the role this year; Cassell did not play in a game for Boston this year before he was traded to the Sacramento Kings and released last week.

Marbury took a long leave of absence from the Knicks when his father died in December 2007, then had season-ending ankle surgery and has not played since Jan. 11, 2008.

He returned to the Knicks in training camp, but when the sides tried to negotiate a buyout early in the season, Marbury at first refused to surrender any more than $1 million of his $20.8 million salary and the team told him to stay home until a buyout could be completed.

Even before the final breakdown, Marbury was at the center of controversy during his five years in New York, from feuding with coaches to skipping games.

Oh One More Thing

More high praise for U2's new album that comes out in just FIVE DAYS!!!

U2's tenacity and artistic daring pay off in Horizon's towering splendor, says Blender editor Joe Levy.

"It combines two moments: the epic grandeur of The Joshua Tree and the experimental audio research of Achtung Baby and Zooropa," he says. "They're at a point where they can be the biggest band in the world and still be edgy, with a capital 'E' in this case. They haven't come out swinging this hard and reaching this high since Joshua. On the surface, it's classic U2. Put on the headphones, and you hear an album every bit as sonically ambitious as Achtung Baby."

Ahhhhhh can't wait!!

Crazy But True...

Just came across an article about U2 that reminded me of this crazy but true fact:

in the 2002 Grammy Awards U2's (arguable) third masterpiece album All That You Can't Leave Behind lost the Album of the Year Award to....the O Brother Where Art Thou? Soundtrack. Yes. You read that right.

That is all.

Blahhh Celtics Lose...I Don't Care.

The road trip seemed to last an entire month. And in many ways, it really almost did. Out of 11 games played so far in February (one more to go...at home), the Celtics played 8 of them on the road. Their road trip started on February 11 and ended last night in LA, February 25. Of course, the All-Star break was in between, but how much of a break was it really? Our Big Three were all involved in the game so, despite all the fun and laidbackitiveness, they were still playing a game on the road. 

Through it all, KG got injured, Scal nearly got decapitated again, and, on a good note, we signed 7-footer Mikki Moore, adding much needed height, especially now. Still, last night in his first game, despite going 2-2, he made some dumb mistakes. Now, I'm not knocking the guy. He's gonna be a REALLY important factor for us down the stretch and I'm very, very thankful he didn't sign with Dallas (which he almost did before talking to Doc). It was only natural that he wasn't used to the Celtics' system of play and he was bound to make some dumb mistakes. No worries. But all of these factors contributed to the loss. It was a trap game, meaning the end of a loooooong road trip vs. a mediocre (at best) team (at worst, they suck balls). 

Now, I'm not one to make excuses very often, but anyone who thinks that the Clippers are legit better than the Celtics and that we're not worthy contenders is just ignorant. I expected us to play poorly and probably lose. Some losses really affect me and get under my skin for a few days, but not this one. We had literally everything going against us, evidenced by Pierce's dislocated right thumb TWICE. Just one gripe about that while we're here. I realize the first time it happened, it was an accident on the part of the Clippers defenders, namely the young Mardy Collins. However, Pierce unfortunately got T'd up after Collins continually aimed to slap at Pierce's injured thumb. Pierce obviously took offense to that (after it had happened a few times) and pushed him out of the way. At least call double-T's there ref. But no matter, Fred Jones (Slam Dunk champ in 2004...?) missed the free throw, so no real damage done. Except for the fact that his thumb could have contributed to his missed potential game-winner at the end. He should've driven and tried to draw a foul. They have no real shot blockers (Camby...ehhhh). C'est la vie.

Whatever though. I don't even care that much. We're coming back home and we still have one of the best, if not the best, road records in the league. We've had a tougher schedule than the Cavs or Lakers by about 0.20 (in terms of opponents winning percentage). Give us KG healthy, Scal playing the whole game, our bigs not getting into foul trouble, or even Mikki Moore being more accustomed to our style and we win. Simple as that.

Oh, and about our bigs getting fouls. Kendrick. Fucking. Perkins. How do you not know how to set a pick?! Dude, just fucking stand there. You're a huge bitch so you don't have to lean into the guy or stick your elbow out. Just. Stand. There. Stop moving. You have the most turnovers in the league. Stop being and idiot and learn how to play fundamental basketball. So goddamn annoying. You give up at least 3 possessions every night because of just stupid boneheaded play. End of rant.

Plus these 10:30 games are ridiculous.

Mr. Chi City's Back!!!

Finally a Big Guy.

Celtics Sign Mikki Moore

BOSTON, MA The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has signed free agent center/forward Mikki Moore. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Mikki's length, energy, skill and experience, along with his enthusiasm to come to Boston, will be a great boost for us." said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Moore, a 7'0", 225lb center/forward, is in his 11th NBA season. Moore has posted career averages of 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. This is Moore's second stint with the Celtics after he spent a portion of the 2002-03 season with the team. The former Nebraska Cornhusker has posted career playoff averages of 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15 games. He also shot 54.5 percent from the field in those 15 games.

Moore will wear #7.

Good timing too--Scal's headed to Boston after getting hit in the head...again.

LOLZ!