Scal Bandwagon

[grantlongforpresident]

Ever since Danny Ainge gave him $3 million-a-year, people have been overly harsh on him.

Scal can't be Dwayne Wade. He is Scal. He works as hard as anyone, hustles on every play - whether it is practice, preseason, garbage minutes, or legit minutes. He always has a good attitude, never complains about PT, never whines to the press, and knows his role on the team.

As a player, he is a solid defender, solid 3-pt shooter, and a solid banger in the paint. In addition, he doesn't make a lot of mistakes on the court, is a solid passer, has good bbiq, and frequently makes the hustle plays.

The celtics won last year because of great team chemistry - and scal was an important part of that. If we had Malcontent-Miles instead of Scal last year would we still have won? Probably, but not certainly. I would rather take my chances with Scal - because i think his energy, focus, and positive attitude rubs off on people around him. Not every man on the 15 man roster can be your offensive MVP. Glue-guys have their role.

All things considered, i don't think his $3 million a year is sinking this team - yet people want to cut him.

[greenbeans]

Sorry, but if it comes down to choosing between Scal and a rejuvenated DMiles looking for a payday adios Brian

[Dave_From_NB]

You're absolutely correct that Scals salary is the red flag that tarnishes him. If he was a vet minimum player, many would be reasonably happy with him as a utility player, towel waver, good interviewer, and general nice guy.

Unfortunately, I think we've seen Scals ceiling, and it isn't too high. I agree with all your points except him being a good 3 point shooter - he never was good at 3 pointers, the only reason he's known as one is that he seems completely incapable of taking (let alone making) any other shot with regularity.

I agree it's not his $3 million that is sinking the team. It's not my money, and frankly I couldn't care less how much he makes. It's his roster spot that is my concern, because he is never going to be one of our top 10 players, and the point of the 11'th to 15'th roster spots is either for specialists (like a Lindsay Hunter/Mutumbo) or guys who are developing and are going to be one of the top 10 players some day.

Scal is handy to have around, and if you don't need the roster spot, I'm glad to see him on the roster. But the moment we need the roster spot, which is starting to seem like right away, he's the first to go on my list.

[Scalamental]

I can see where Scal could be useful on this roster. I have seen in the past -pre KG- times he's been useful on the team. I'd love for him to be useful, and would welcome it. Wouldn't be terribly surprised if nothing close to that happened. I'll definitely root for him (not sarcastically either) when he's in, but I'm not quite bandwagon status.

[GregB]

Scal is pretty much our 4th PF. We could use the roster spot. But I bet they let Miles go first.

[heyjohnny]

I think this is as much a sentimental post as it is anything else. We all, kind of, love Scal. He's the clown and Mr. Fundamental. The pick he set on someone vs. Toronto, I think, to open his teammate for an open layup at the buzzer is something I'll remember about him. I wouldn't say his 3pt shooting is "solid" though.

[BillessuR6]

Scalabrine is the whipping boy of this franchise. It seems like there is only one thing wrong with this team and that is Scal. I have no idea what people would do if he wasn`t here. Who would fans make fun of?

It is really not fair to him. It is Ainge who gave him that contract. And it is not like he is making 8 millions per year. Is he overpaid? Sure, but his contract is certainly not the biggest problem on this team. Besides next year you will all love him since he will be a nice asset to trade.

I also think he is underrated as a player, especially as a defender. If he is not traded I would like to see him resigned for the minimum.

And he is one of the best interviewees in the NBA. Absolutely hilarious!

[canman1971]

I have nothing against Scal, nor do I care about his salary as it is not that much money. It is just the fact that he really doesn't contribute anything and he has no upside. So, if you need a roster spot for a player who may or may not contribute down the road, bye bye Scal. No hard feelings, just business.

[Golabki]

He works as hard as anyone

If this is true why is he always out of shape?

Scal has been among the worst players in the league in his time with the Celtics. If he stops an actual NBA-caliber player from making the team I will be sad.

[grantlongforpresident]

I wouldn't say his 3pt shooting is "solid" though.

He is 139 - 401 for his career, which is .347 . Maybe that isn't quite solid to some, but it certainly isn't horrible. .168 would be horrible - oh wait - that is the 3p% of Darius Miles!

I'm not saying Scal is a better offensive player than pre-injury or even a post-really-really-bad-knee-injury Miles. But that does bring up another issue: Miles was never a good shooter, and now he may lack the explosiveness that made him an OK nba player.

But back to the point: Bottom line, If you think of Scal as an offensive weapon you will be disappointed. Fortunately, we have a lot of offensive weapons already. Scal's greatest strengths do not show up in the box score.

[canman1971]

I wouldn't say his 3pt shooting is "solid" though.

Scal's greatest strengths do not show up in the box score.

You are right about that. They show up at team dinners

[chakdaddy]

He was a solid 3 point shooter with the Nets, he has not shown it here. Call it the Jason Kidd effect, which was enough to make Kenyon Martin look like a good player.

He is apparently a great locker room guy, good teammate, great interview, decent defender.

He does, however, make a TON of mistakes, it seems like he was always making bad passes and losing the ball when he played. I think he's getting a little too much credit as a smart, mistake free player because of white guy stereotypes.

He was embarrassingly overpaid from the day he got the contract, but as the contract nears its end it's not such a big deal. The length of the deal was always worse than the yearly salary.

He's not so bad at the end of the roster, but since we're carrying so many young wings in Walker and Giddens, roster spots are at a premium, and it's not clear that we can afford to carry him at the expense of a needed player or a prospect with potential.

[sully00]

To be fair to Scal he would have been in the top 10 in 3pt % two years ago if he had enough attempts, that team was a frigging disgrace so nobody remembers. He is if nothing else solid 3pt shooter.

That is about all the nice things I can say about him at this point. I think he is a nice guy and is the spitting image of my younger brother and quite possibly the worst player in the NBA. He doesn't bother me and the money doesn't bother me but I don't want him on this team anymore we have young kids who have room to improve who need his roster spot.

I am glad we are bringing Miles in and I think that he and Scal should be locked in mortal combat for the 15th roster spot,.

[Tricky Ricky]

Scal is the comic relief of the Boston Celtics, he probably isnt worth 3 million but it is what it is and now that Ive seen a championship I can live with it.

[sox839]

I thin scal does have a role on this team. Ten minutes as a backup at forward center. He is a decent defender in certain matchups. He played great defense against dirk when they came to boston. I was at the game dirk had a goose egg when scal was in and he was defending dirk. The reason why he got the money was because at the time not a player in the league would come here. He is an okay 3 pt shooter for a big man. I f he rebounded and banged more on the boards he would be better and if he got with cliff ray to teach him a little in the post. I think scal does have a role on this team 10 minutes every game.

[GuyClinch]

I harshed on Scal when he arrived. I was right. He wasn't worth the money.

But he isn't THAT horrible a basketball player. It's gone to far. I think he has a place on most NBA teams - albeit as a deep bench guy. But he can come in and not suck. He can at least do that much with his good fundamentals (on D and O) and okay 3 point shooting.

Do we need a player like him? I don't know. We didn't really seem to need him last year.