Stephon Marbury stumbles

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Stephon Marbury’s second game with the Boston Celtics was one to forget. Marbury -- ex-Knick, ex-Sun, ex-Timberwolf, ex-Net and now backup Celtic guard -- was scoreless in 12 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Detroit, and he was hit with four personal fouls in his short time on the court.

The website Celticshub.com tracked Marbury’s miserable defensive play, particularly in the second quarter, when the Pistons scored on 10 of their 11 possessions when he was playing.

Marbury, who hadn’t played in a regular season game since January 2008 before joining the Celtics, helped them beat Indiana on Friday by scoring six of his eight points in the fourth quarter.

But Sunday, Marbury had trouble fighting off defensive screens, and he had two turnovers.

After the game Marbury said: ‘Conditoning-wise, it’s just going to take some time. Basketball-wise with my instincts and just knowing when to pass -- I was coming down the court, trying to make a play and I thought I was in my old mindframe. But when I went down to protect the ball, [Detroit’s Will Bynum] was already gone.’

-- Barry Stavro