'The Experiment' will take some time

Two minutes and 31 seconds into the second quarter of the second game of "The Experiment," with the TD Banknorth Garden waiting for Detroit's Will Bynum to step to the free throw line, a loud voice rang out behind the home team's bench.

"Wake up, Mahhh-bury!"

Welcome to Boston, Stephon Marbury.

Two sloppy turnovers — both steals by Bynum — were a quick reminder that this Celtics-Marbury marriage is going to take some time.

Marbury has been a star. He has averaged 19.7 points and 7.8 assists a game over his 13 years as a pro.

Realistically, though, his scoring over the previous three seasons dipped to 16.3, 16.4 and 13.9 as have his assists at 6.4, 5.4 and 4.7. In other words, the 32-year-old Marbury's prime is behind him.

The Celtics, though, don't need Marbury's prime. They need 12 points some nights. They need six assists another. They need the replacements to be nearly as good as the starters.

Yesterday, despite his stats line — 0 points, 3 assists, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls in 12 minutes — the Celtics were a plus-6 when he was in the lineup.

Before yesterday's game, which Detroit won 105-95, Celtics coach Doc Rivers promised there would be games like yesterday.

"There are going to be games where he really struggles. To be honest with you, I was surprised at how well he played in his first game," said Rivers, of Marbury's 8-point, 2-assist, 1-steal performance. "I was surprised with his condition. He's been away for a while. This is going take some time."

Apparently, it's also going to take something Allen Iverson mocked a few years back — practice. It begins this morning in Waltham.

"I can't wait for practice," said Marbury. "I have so much to learn. (Saturday) night I fell asleep watching film. I have two practices (before Wednesday night's game in New Jersey). Those are going to be big days for me. ... The most challenging thing is the defensive part. I just want to fit in and do whatever they tell me."

Marbury deserves kudos for his enthusiasm. After hearing horror story after horror story about Marbury, most of it related to greed and selfishness, the newest Celtic has bucked the trend in his early tenure wearing green.

Twenty seconds after his second turnover, Marbury faked a drive to the basket and hit Leon Powe, who layed the ball in and was fouled. You'd have thought Marbury hit a game-winning 3-pointer, pumping his fist before making sure he high-fived his four teammates on the floor.

Following a snazzy behind-the-back pass to Glen Davis, who drove to the basket, layed the ball in and was fouled before hitting the floor, Marbury sprinted 40 feet to help Davis up. This despite the fact that three other Celtics were already there with extended hands for Davis.

"I'm having fun being part of this team," he said.

Everybody in the Celtics family wants this to work out. Or at least they are saying so, including the guy most affected by his presence, Rajon Rondo.

"I'm for anything that makes us better," said Rondo.

Rondo is a hard guy to figure. His emotions are nowhere near his sleeve. And the Marbury acquistion has Rondo's guard up ten-fold.

Leave it to Rivers, who rarely evades a difficult question, to simplify the potential Rondo-Marbury debate.

"It's not about Steph and Rajon," said Rivers. "It's about winning."

Rivers admitted that three days into this relationship, he, too, is still learning.

"I don't know him yet," said Rivers. "We've had only two games and one practice. We will know him better when we practice more."

Rivers said when Marbury is going well, Rondo won't be the only beneficiary. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, he said, will get more rest. Pierce played all but 18 seconds yesterday, which is about 12 minutes too many.

"I really like this team," said Marbury. "When I made those first two turnovers I was embarrassed. But almost every guy came up to me and told me not to worry about it. I can't tell you how good that makes me feel."

Let "The Experiment" begin.

E-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.

Celts-Pistons summary

Where's AI?: The Pistons ran their record to 2-0 since their star point guard Allen Iverson went out with a back injury. Those wins have come against two of the three behemoths of the Eastern Conference, Orlando and Boston, and both on the road. "The ball is hopping. They are playing together," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "That was, unfortunately, my pregame (speech), that this is the old Pistons we're playing now."

Star of the game: Pistons guard Richard Hamilton, who scored 25 points, 18 in the second half.

Key stat: The Pistons took 40 free throws, making 34 of them.

Key stat II: Six Pistons scored in double figures (Hamilton 25, Rasheed Wallace 15, Tayshaun Prince 15, Walter Herrmann 11, Rodney Stuckey 10 and Antonio McDyess 10) and two more were knocking on the door (Will Bynum 9 and Jason Maxiell 8).

Key stat lll: The Celtics only made two 3-pointers (2-14) and Ray Allen (0-5) didn't have any.

Key stat IV: New Celtic Stephon Marbury didn't score a point, going 0-for-3 from the field with three assists, two turnovers and four personal fouls.

Celts star of the day: Glen "Big Baby" Davis had an admirable game, playing three times as much with Kevin Garnett out with a strained knee. Davis played 36 minutes and scored 18 points (second only to Pierce's 26). He also had six rebounds.

Quote of the game: "We got back-cutted. Guys weren't where they were supposed to be in help defense and so it was our own mistakes," said Celts center Kendrick Perkins.

Next game: The Celtics play at New Jersey Wednesday.

Next home game: The Celtics host Cleveland Friday.

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