Boston Celtics Marquis Daniels Is Out For Redemption
[picappgallerysingle id="8767298"]After an 08 to 09 season in which Marquis Daniels he averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 54 appearances for the Indiana Pacers, it appeared the Boston Celtics struck gold. Marquis Daniels was hungry to play for a winner and took less money to sign with Boston. The Celtics thought that they were getting a versatile scorer that could play the two guard and small forward. The bonus was Daniels was a lock down defender to boot. It appeared Danny Ainge had pulled off a major heist.
The beginning of the year the Celtics asked the versatile Daniels to play out of position at point guard behind Rajon Rondo. Daniels responded well to the task and the Celtics got off to a great start. Doc Rivers could not say enough great accolades about Marquis and the job he was doing. It appeared Daniels was going to be a major contributor on a team with title aspirations.
Sadly, Daniels tore a ligament in his thumb very early in the season. At the time of the injury, the Celtics were already the walking wounded and beginning to struggle. Daniels continued to play with his busted hand. This only worsened the condition and Daniels was forced to miss an extended period of time. When he returned, it appeared to any fan watching that he was not the same player. I do not believe for one moment that he was fully healthy after that. Tony Allen would make the most of the opportunity to play and play his best basketball. The result was he was relegated to the deepest part of the bench. The man that had so much promise was now both a man without a role and relegated to garbage time.
By all accounts Daniels was not going to be brought back. However, free agency creates many strange happenings. Tony Allen found greener (cash) pastures in Memphis thanks to the dubious Chris Wallace. (Chris Wallace is a piece of human excrement. Any questions on why, see Gasol trade and tenure as Boston GM. Any man that cost Boston Carmelo Anthony by exercising the rights to have a third pick in a draft should be committed. Granted he knew nothing of Mello, but on principle, in a weak draft, you need not three picks.) All of a sudden Boston had a clear need at wing. The options were not all that great. All lacked either defense or offense. Marquis also lacked suitors due to his injury plagued year. Rather than play for the veteran minimum, he chose Boston for the 2.5 million they could give due to the non Bird rights they owned on him.
The risk for Boston is minimal. Who else was going to come here and play for the veteran minimum? All the other options had flaws. Tracy McGrady and Josh Howard lack defense. Matt Barnes lacks offense. Daniels can provide both.
Marquis will do well for two reasons. The first is his role is clearly defined. He is the Tony Allen and James Posey role. He has all the skills to play this position. His length is great. He can lock down a man with great speed for the wing. Offensively he moves great with and without the ball and he can pass. The role clearly defined will allow him to go out and perform the job the team is asking without any ambiguity in play.
The other reason is if he does not stay healthy and play well, his bank account is going to be a lot smaller next season. On a one year deal, he is giving himself an opportunity to show he is not an injury plagued player that cannot be relied upon. If that is the view of GMs next year, then Marquis will be relegated to veteran minimum. He does not want that. In short a great gamble by Danny Ainge. This has potential to reap the same rewards he thought he was getting last year. It also can reap the nothing the team got last year. My money is Daniels comes back strong. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!
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