Stephon Marbury Could Help Lead the Boston Celtics to a Repeat Title

"The Celtics are never going to repeat!"

"Boston doesn't have a chance!"

"The Lakers are gonna pound Boston!"

That's all I ever hear about defending champion Boston Celtics since last year.

Because the Lakers, Cavs, and Magic have been getting better, no one seems to believe the Cinderella team from last year even has the slightest of chances this year for a repeat title. Boston lost its grip on the first place in the East and probably won't get it back, and may not even keep the second place seed with Orlando creeping up on them.

But I believe, first seed or not, the Celtics can repeat as champions because of one man helping them along. He's covered from head to toe in stylish tattoos, his attitude leaves something to be desired, and his skill on the basketball court is nearly un-matchable.

He's Stephon Marbury.

6'2" and 200 pounds, he can speed past defenders and do a little defending himself. Up until he got to Boston, he hadn't played a single minute all season, but with injuries haunting this Celtics team, he got the playing time he needed to get back on track. 

The Big Three have suffered through injuries this season. Garnett injured his ankle against Utah and Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have missed a few games. Rising star Rajon Rondo also been injured this season, leaving the door open for Marbury to come in and take over the Celtics offense, and become Stephon Marbury again.

With the big three and young, rising players to work with, Marbury elevated his game nearly back to the level of 2005-06 when he was at his best back in New York. Under head coach Doc Rivers, he has gotten a more passing and defensive mindset, giving the ball to guys like Mikkie Moore and Glen Davis, who also needed some playing time, and getting back on defense ten times faster than before. 

Some guys Stephon is passing to could help the Celtics drastically, too. Of course there's a healthy Kevin Garnett that can take short jump shots, lay-ups, and dunks from just about anywhere. Then there are Paul Pierce and a soon-to-be-healthy Ray Allen getting the ball and driving in for fancy lay-ups and taking clutch threes.

But there are also the more unnoticed players on the team. C Kendrick Perkins, standing a huge 6'10" 280 pounds, does all the dirty work, moving rapidly around the paint to get open for a pass and dunking it for easy points. Eddie House and Leon Powe are two young, quick guys that can drive to the basket or get open for some two- or three-point jumpers.

There's young Rajon Rondo, a rising star point guard that can really lead the team and get the ball around the arc. The other Allen, Tony Allen, provides an incredible bench player that Doc can always fall back on to get his starters a rest.

And finally, Glen Davis' minutes and stats have been rising over the past couple seasons as he improves his skill level and work ethic (just what Boston needs), while Mikki Moore's minutes have been decreasing as he becomes more and more of an unnoticed talent since his Sacramento days. 

With the big three and Rondo healthy again, the playoffs will be the time where the Celtics re-prove themselves. Using Marbury, Powe, Allen, Moore, Davis, and House as a safety mat to rest starters, the Celtics will get back on track with a healthy team and possibly grab the first seed or keep the second.

As for the loss of clutch performer James Posey and Sam Cassell, Mikki Moore can cover for Posey with his heart and love for the game, while Marbury replaces the talent and leadership of Cassell. The Celtics are back into title contention.