So, who would win such a game between Starbury, Stevie Franchise, and Westbrook?

I’m not sure, but I see advantages and disadvantages to all three.

Starbury advantage: Best shooter of the three. He would nail most of his free shots from three, and that can account for 60% of your scoring if you get hot. Starbury shoots awesome when he does heat up too, which would make it likely that he rarely missed his free shots.

Starbury disadvantage: Starbury is the worst rebounder of the three, so he would have to get a lot of loose balls and steals. He can’t get up as high as Francis nor Westbrook.

Westbrook advantage: The strongest of the three players. Westbrook could easily take either in the post, and if the other is too lazy to help out, that means Westbrook is going to get a lot of good looks.

Westbrook disadvantage: Worst shooter. He would have trouble hitting 45% of his threes, even wide open like in 21.

Francis advantage: Best rebounder. Francis rebounded exceptionally well for a guard and would have the most possessions.

Francis disadvantage: Would also struggle with freebies, and would be the worst at getting to loose balls because both Starbury and Westbrook are quicker to the ball.

So, who would win?

I’m not sure.

Like I said, I see arguments for all three players, but I think if I had to make a bet, it would be on Francis. Francis is an all around athlete and a very good one on one player. Both Westbrook and Starbury can go one on one well, too, but I don’t think either could stop Francis, while the converse may not be so true. Francis is a good defender and could give both Westbrook and Starbury problems if they tried to get too clever & crafty with the ball.

It would be an epic showdown to be sure, and count me among the many who would pay to see such a hypothetical showdown on Pay Per View. Unfortunately, Francis is now old and retired, Marbury is playing in China, and Westbrook is at his prime and would destroy either. So, we’ll never see it. But that’s what debates of this nature are for.

Last night, Ray Allen put up a season high thirty big points.  Last night, Ray Allen pulled down nine big rebounds.  Last night Ray Allen was the difference maker.  He was the takes the caker.  The earthquaker.  The shake and baker.  Last night, when the game was still a game, it was Sugar Ray Allen who took maatters into his own hands.

He’s got the whole world in his hands.  Had the whole world in his hands with nine huge points during a 15-4 run that put the game away.  Ray Ray put the game away the way he puts a game away best.  Better than all the all the rest.  He put the game away by knocking down the three.  Knocked down two big threes during that run.  Six for ten from beyond the arc for the night.  Twenty for forty Downtown Freddy Browns in his last five games. 

Now you know why folks say he’s the best shooter in the league.  Now you know why his name is there in every three point record the Association has to offer.  Now you know why the Celtics have not missed a beat with the Big Ticket on the mend.  Yes Celtics fans, like Bel Biv DeVoe, now you know.

Maybe you already did:

Roll Celtics, Roll!

Outsiders don’t get it.  They think the mystique is a myth.  Like Yeti.  Like the Loch Ness monster.  Stuff like that there mon frere.  Paul Silas thought so.  Silas:  “When I came to the Celtics there was this Celtic mystique.  And I was one of the few skeptics.  Finally, it came through to me after we had won the championship.  I went up to Red and said, ‘Now I understand what the Celtic mystique is.’  And he was about the proudest man in the world.”

I’m hoping Marbury will come to his senses.  I’m hoping his talents will bring the Celtics another championship.  I’m hoping he makes us all proud.  He’s a Celtic now, and as such, he becomes at least my fifteenth favorite player in the league.  If he keeps his head about him, who knows how high he might climb?

Roll Celtics, Roll!