Today in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise signed Stephon Marbury as a free agent in 2009. The Brooklyn, New York native elected to sign with the Celtics after he was bought out by the New York Knicks in the wake of a major fall-out with the head coach of the Knicks at that time, Mike D’Antoni. The Marbury stint in Boston was nearly as brief as they come, though. The former Georgia Tech standout finished one of the worst seasons (and the last) of his NBA career playing for the Celtics. His capabilities dropped considerably across most counting stats.
Marbury averaged 3.8 points and 3.3 assists in 23 regular-season games with the Celtics in 2008-09, compared to his career rates of 19.3 points and 7.6 assists per game. He played in 14 postseason games that season; Boston lost its second-round series to Orlando in seven games. The following season, Boston only offered the veteran’s minimum to Marbury, which the veteran summarily dismissed.
Advertisement
Instead, the Coney Islander headed overseas to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he has had a long, successful career as a player and as a coach.
BOSTON – APRIL 28: Stephon Marbury #8 of the Boston Celtics tries to discuss a call with referee Sean Corbin in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Chicago Bulls during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 28, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Bulls 106-104 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Historic milestones
It’s also the date of a game legendary Boston point guard Bob Cousy dished out 28 assists in 1959, then an NBA record. It came in a game against the (then) Minneapolis Lakers (now, Los Angeles) in Boston’s (and the NBA’s) highest-scoring game in history, a 173-139 obliteration of the Lakers.
The picture (undated) shows American basketball player Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics during a basketball session. (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns matched the scoring record in 1990, and the assist record stood until Scott Skiles broke it with 30 assists in one game — also in 1990.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Marbury deal; Cousy dishes 28 assists in 173-point game