Pure Conjecture: Scal retires as a Celtic
Posted: Sat Aug 8, 2009 3:55 pm
Our man Brain Scalabrine has been alternately and sometimes simultaneously the object of derision, adulation, and unintentional hilarity on this board and at Celtics games for the past four years. Recently a topic came up here--- a proposed trade for Battier--- and once again I found myself signing on to yet another proposed trade that would move Scal-as-contract and bring some added talent to the team.
Of course, if the right deal comes along, like one for Shane Battier, I would certainly be willing to move Scalabrine. But I've been thinking that he's actually more likely to stay than to leave, and there are some reasons for keeping him that may transcend the pragmatic values of individual talent and contract numbers that get bandied around so often.
Like I said, I'd move Scal if the right deal came along, but here are some reasons to keep him:
1. He doesn't suck, much. I think we know by now what Scal brings to the table. He's a bench guy who has a good BBIQ and can play great team defense in various sets and at multiple positions. He doesn't have the physical gifts to be more than role player who's good at the intangibles, but he hits the three ball, is a solid FT shooter, and can play some solid one-on-one D for short stints.
2. Good chemistry guy. Scal's been on the team longer than anyone other than PP and TA. He was here during the down times, and went through all the difficulties--- and boos from the fans--- to being on a championship team. It's good to have a few 'I was a Celtic when....' guys on the roster. Scal has more value to the Celtics than he would to any other team.
3. Fan favorite. OK, maybe most of the fan adulation stems from sarcasm, but you can tell that the guy has hit a positive nerve with the fan base. Yeah--- white due, red-head, manboobs--- all of that. He's sort of become a phenomena unto himself here, potentially a classic Celt if the team wins another 'Chip. You'd trade all that for a guy who doesn't dribble the ball off his foot once a game?
4. Future considerations. Seeing Brian on the bench in a suit this season (he's 'Brian' when in a suit), got me thinking two things. One, he does look like he belongs on the bench, but perhaps as a coach and not so much a player. Two, Brian's brain likely is not long for this league. If you do a little research into the long-term effects of multiple concussions in professional sports, there are some sobering facts to be found. Once the brain has been injured like this once or twice, it's like skating on thin ice. An eight year NBA career, retiring at age 32 to be a part of the coaching staff on the team you won 2 NBA titles with may be the best case scenario for Brian Scalabrine and the Celtics.
So there it is. I'm voting 'Veal Pactum' cuz I think when push comes to shove the economy will dictate some solution where Danny ends up fleecing a quality vet backup off a team trying to shave payroll. But if that doesn't happen I'll be happy to have Scal around, perhaps beyond next year as an assistant coach.
Of course, if the right deal comes along, like one for Shane Battier, I would certainly be willing to move Scalabrine. But I've been thinking that he's actually more likely to stay than to leave, and there are some reasons for keeping him that may transcend the pragmatic values of individual talent and contract numbers that get bandied around so often.
Like I said, I'd move Scal if the right deal came along, but here are some reasons to keep him:
1. He doesn't suck, much. I think we know by now what Scal brings to the table. He's a bench guy who has a good BBIQ and can play great team defense in various sets and at multiple positions. He doesn't have the physical gifts to be more than role player who's good at the intangibles, but he hits the three ball, is a solid FT shooter, and can play some solid one-on-one D for short stints.
2. Good chemistry guy. Scal's been on the team longer than anyone other than PP and TA. He was here during the down times, and went through all the difficulties--- and boos from the fans--- to being on a championship team. It's good to have a few 'I was a Celtic when....' guys on the roster. Scal has more value to the Celtics than he would to any other team.
3. Fan favorite. OK, maybe most of the fan adulation stems from sarcasm, but you can tell that the guy has hit a positive nerve with the fan base. Yeah--- white due, red-head, manboobs--- all of that. He's sort of become a phenomena unto himself here, potentially a classic Celt if the team wins another 'Chip. You'd trade all that for a guy who doesn't dribble the ball off his foot once a game?
4. Future considerations. Seeing Brian on the bench in a suit this season (he's 'Brian' when in a suit), got me thinking two things. One, he does look like he belongs on the bench, but perhaps as a coach and not so much a player. Two, Brian's brain likely is not long for this league. If you do a little research into the long-term effects of multiple concussions in professional sports, there are some sobering facts to be found. Once the brain has been injured like this once or twice, it's like skating on thin ice. An eight year NBA career, retiring at age 32 to be a part of the coaching staff on the team you won 2 NBA titles with may be the best case scenario for Brian Scalabrine and the Celtics.
So there it is. I'm voting 'Veal Pactum' cuz I think when push comes to shove the economy will dictate some solution where Danny ends up fleecing a quality vet backup off a team trying to shave payroll. But if that doesn't happen I'll be happy to have Scal around, perhaps beyond next year as an assistant coach.
