The dust is still settling after last week’s trade deadline; players with new addresses are trying their best to get acclimated to new systems and new teammates.
Larry Hughes, for example, hasn’t exactly won over the crowds at Madison Square Garden with his play to date. But some rust was to be expected – he had been languishing in DNP land for weeks on the BUlls. The Knicks have a homestand this week which should allow Hughes and Chris Wilcox some practice time – look for his play to improve significantly in the coming weeks.
Of course, if Hughes is “rusty,” Stephon Marbury must be petrified. Marbury hasn’t played since the preseason – but he finally worked out a buyout arrangement from his Knicks contract yesterday and is now free to sign with any team and be included on a playoff roster. By the time this column is published, he may be a member of the Celtics.
(Just what I needed – another reason to hate Boston.)
That said, it’s not often that a player of Marbury’s caliber becomes available this late in the season. Would I want him on my team? Absolutely not. Is it possible that he could carve out a productive role in Boston’s rotation down the stretch? Well… ask yourself this: if you’re Doc Rivers, who would you rather play… Marbury or Gabe Pruitt?
via NBA.com: Waiver Wire: Settling In.
