"For the sendoff game before their last road trip three weeks ago, the Celtics' bench was occupied by Tony Allen, Sam Cassell, Patrick O'Bryant, Gabe Pruitt, and Brian Scalabrine. Kevin Garnett was in the starting lineup. At the time, Stephon Marbury was an exiled New York Knickerbocker and Mikki Moore a less-than-satisfied Sacramento King.

Now, Marbury and Moore are full-fledged members of the Celtics (47-13) and will be expected to take on significant roles against the Detroit Pistons today.

Marbury and Moore were introduced to the home crowd before a 104-99 win over Indiana Friday. And yesterday, they were introduced to the Celtics' defensive and offensive schemes at the team's Waltham practice facility.

Marbury and Moore are receiving a crash course, trying to make up for lost time. The rest of the Celtics were to have the day off, but the newcomers need to absorb as much as possible while awaiting the return of Allen (thumb surgery), Garnett (knee strain), Pruitt (suspension), and Scalabrine (neck strain).

Most of the teaching attention will be focused on Marbury, who becomes one of the most accomplished backup point guards in the league.

"For Steph it's a different thing," Moore said. "Because he's a point guard, he will have to know where everybody is on the floor. With me, I just have to find out about two spots, 4 and 5."

Last year, the Celtics brought in Cassell to back up Rajon Rondo. Cassell was 38 and had won two NBA titles - he was expected to provide an example as much as depth. And Cassell contributed guidance, acting almost like an assistant coach before being traded to open roster space.

Marbury, 32, has little playoff experience (18 games in four trips). Typically, he has a spectacular regular season but does not play past April. This time, March and April are to serve as warmups for an extended playoff run.

In Marbury's debut Friday, coach Doc Rivers's plan was to "just throw him out there." That worked fine, as Marbury scored 8 points in 13 minutes and played a major part in a fourth-quarter blitz that allowed Paul Pierce (dislocated thumb) to rest while the Celtics took command of the game."