The Celtics are getting ready for a road game against the Pistons Friday, but much of the talk continues to center on potential acquisitions.
Stephon Marbury was quoted in a New York paper as saying he had a commitment from the Celtics on a contract should he be able to get free from the Knicks, but The Boston Herald had a source close to the situation who denied that. The Celtics do have interest in Marbury, but general manager Danny Ainge said the most the team would be offering any player is a pro-rated portion of the veteran minimum. The team has some $2.3 million left on its mid-level exception, but it won't be using that because it is already over the luxury tax threshold.
Also this week, Reggie Miller said the Celtics had contacted him about coming out of retirement.
"We love it all," said coach Doc Rivers. "I mean, we're going to call Magic (Johnson), Larry (Bird) and Michael (Jordan) next -- Cooz (Bob Cousy), (Bill) Russell."
Addressing the willingness of others to consider the Celtics, Rivers said, "I think that's the most flattering part about it. We've gotten our team to a point where they do like us and they are considering coming. That's flattering for a franchise. Two years ago they didn't even return our call."
Marbury has permission from the Knicks to talk to other teams, and the Celts have spoken to his side. At this point, however, the club is wondering whether anything will ever work out with Marbury and the Knicks to make him available.
Ainge has left the door open on Miller (and others). The Celtics tried to get him to come back prior to last season, and they have checked in with him this year.
"I would consider it if he were in great shape and had a great desire to come back and play," Ainge said. "I don't think that he has a desire to play, though. I haven't gotten any indication that he wants to play since we talked to him last summer and he decided to retire for good. I've gotten no hint that... coming back is even a possibility."
CELTICS 119, KINGS 100: Eddie House scored 28 points and Rajon Rondo had 24 Wednesday night in Boston as the Celtics won their ninth straight game. Sacramento jumped out early, taking a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but the Celts began the next period with a 25-9 run and outscored the Kings, 40-19, in the frame to take control.
House hit a career-high eight three-pointers and outscored the Sacramento bench by four points.
"Eddie House had a phenomenal game and we lost him," said Kings coach Kenny Natt. "Those are the types of things that happen when they get rolling on you like that, and we've just got to be smarter to not leave guys like that."
