If I told you 6 months ago that.....

[GreenDreamer]

our playoff hopes rested on the pasty shoulders of Brian Scalabrine, you would have laughed me off of the forum. I might have been banned for sheer stupidity. I, of course, would have laughed right along with you at anyone who would have said such a dumb and improbable thing. Oh, how the world turns. The plain fact of the matter is that this team NEEDS Scal in the worst way right now. We have no chance of getting far without him.

K.G. is almost certainly out for the playoffs, and Leon is gone too (nightmare). Our big men are now Perk and Big Baby. Mikki Moore doesn't seem to qualify as Rondo is seemingly more of a big than Mikki is. As much as I like Bill Walker, the idea of throwing him out there is terrifying. He didn't play well as at the 4 during the regular season, and these minutes are 10 times more pressure packed than those minutes were. Scal is the only real hope that we have left.

The good news is that he is supposed to return. In addition to that, he and Rondo have great chemistry, Scal knows our defense backwards and forwards, and he has played very well with the starters. The bad news, of course, is that he is not going to be in playing shape right away, might be rusty with his shot, and will probably get shafted by the refs. We'll just have to deal with that, because I don't see any other legitimate alternative.

I have to tell you, the idea that we could have had Chris Andersen if we wanted him really hurts. The guy has played well all season, and would certainly have helped us now. Sure, he's not as good a defender as he's made out to be, but he is a vastly superior player to Moore, and is a pure energy guy. The folks around here would have loved him, and the team would have liked him a lot. Can't cry over spilled milk, though. Just have to deal with things as they are, and right now Brian "Veal" "Man Boobs" "Michael Rappaport" Scalabrine is the only guy standing between us and certain doom.

P.S. The emphasis is on certain. We probably are doomed with him, but at least he gives us a fighting chance. That's all I ask for.

[BillessuR6]

[ryaningf]

Nice post, GreenDreamer. Scal will give us some effort, but I'm not expecting anything from him. Just park him in the corner and let Rondo penetrate. And then get under Thomas' or Miller's skin on the other end.

Mikki Moore is the one that needs to step right now. He's needs to man up big time. He needs to go live at Thibs house, be his roommate on the road, anything to help him learn the defense faster.

Realistically, I think this forces Doc's hand into using a small ball lineup with Pierce at the 4. I would hope it would also get TA off the bench. We're having huge defensive problems against the Bulls in transition and on the perimeter and it's ridiculous that our best perimeter defender gets 4 seconds of playing time in game 2. If we go small with Pierce at the 4, I hope Doc uses Tony with Rondo/Ray/Paul/Perk...unlike Marbury/House, TA can actually play bigger than he is, get rebounds and muscle people in the post, in addition to playing lock down defense on the perimeter.

[GuyClinch]

If our playoff rest on Scalabrine we have no hope. <g>

[GreenDreamer]

Nice post, GreenDreamer. Scal will give us some effort, but I'm not expecting anything from him. Just park him in the corner and let Rondo penetrate. And then get under Thomas' or Miller's skin on the other end.

Mikki Moore is the one that needs to step right now. He's needs to man up big time. He needs to go live at Thibs house, be his roommate on the road, anything to help him learn the defense faster.

Realistically, I think this forces Doc's hand into using a small ball lineup with Pierce at the 4. I would hope it would also get TA off the bench. We're having huge defensive problems against the Bulls in transition and on the perimeter and it's ridiculous that our best perimeter defender gets 4 seconds of playing time in game 2. If we go small with Pierce at the 4, I hope Doc uses Tony with Rondo/Ray/Paul/Perk...unlike Marbury/House, TA can actually play bigger than he is, get rebounds and muscle people in the post, in addition to playing lock down defense on the perimeter.

If we are going to go small, then we have to run. I actually wrote a post about how slowely we inbound the ball. That stuff will have to stop. Did you HEAR Rondo screaming at Perk in the first quarter last night. He was driving him on like a whipped mule to get the ball back in, so that he could counter break the Bulls. That has to be the norm, not the exception.

[ryaningf]

Nice post, GreenDreamer. Scal will give us some effort, but I'm not expecting anything from him. Just park him in the corner and let Rondo penetrate. And then get under Thomas' or Miller's skin on the other end.

Mikki Moore is the one that needs to step right now. He's needs to man up big time. He needs to go live at Thibs house, be his roommate on the road, anything to help him learn the defense faster.

Realistically, I think this forces Doc's hand into using a small ball lineup with Pierce at the 4. I would hope it would also get TA off the bench. We're having huge defensive problems against the Bulls in transition and on the perimeter and it's ridiculous that our best perimeter defender gets 4 seconds of playing time in game 2. If we go small with Pierce at the 4, I hope Doc uses Tony with Rondo/Ray/Paul/Perk...unlike Marbury/House, TA can actually play bigger than he is, get rebounds and muscle people in the post, in addition to playing lock down defense on the perimeter.

If we are going to go small, then we have to run. I actually wrote a post about how slowely we inbound the ball. That stuff will have to stop. Did you HEAR Rondo screaming at Perk in the first quarter last night. He was driving him on like a whipped mule to get the ball back in, so that he could counter break the Bulls. That has to be the norm, not the exception.

Rondo was the man last night. In fact, he's the best player on the Celtics right now. Imagine saying that 6 months ago. It's too bad he hurt the ankle again, as he will likely be limited in mobility for game 3. With so many injuries, we might be better of forfeiting game 3 and putting everything into game 4. But you're right, we have to run...I'm just not sure if Rondo will be physically able to do so. And we need to play TA too.

[DorfonCeltics]

I started a post about a year ago and can't seem to find it but it was something like this: Scal can be our version of Robert Horry. I got totally flamed for it but I the point I was trying to make was that if Scal can play D, rebound, and shoot the three he can serve the same role as big shot Bob did for those championship teams. I was probably way off then but in light of current circumstances, I wanted to point out that I was thinking this long ago. Kudos to me!

[GreenDreamer]

I started a post about a year ago and can't seem to find it but it was something like this: Scal can be our version of Robert Horry. I got totally flamed for it but I the point I was trying to make was that if Scal can play D, rebound, and shoot the three he can serve the same role as big shot Bob did for those championship teams. I was probably way off then but in light of current circumstances, I wanted to point out that I was thinking this long ago. Kudos to me!

Burn in hell!!!!!

Just kidding. We will need him to be our Big Shot Bob instead of Big Boob Brian.

[GreenDreamer]

Nice post, GreenDreamer. Scal will give us some effort, but I'm not expecting anything from him. Just park him in the corner and let Rondo penetrate. And then get under Thomas' or Miller's skin on the other end.

Mikki Moore is the one that needs to step right now. He's needs to man up big time. He needs to go live at Thibs house, be his roommate on the road, anything to help him learn the defense faster.

Realistically, I think this forces Doc's hand into using a small ball lineup with Pierce at the 4. I would hope it would also get TA off the bench. We're having huge defensive problems against the Bulls in transition and on the perimeter and it's ridiculous that our best perimeter defender gets 4 seconds of playing time in game 2. If we go small with Pierce at the 4, I hope Doc uses Tony with Rondo/Ray/Paul/Perk...unlike Marbury/House, TA can actually play bigger than he is, get rebounds and muscle people in the post, in addition to playing lock down defense on the perimeter.

If we are going to go small, then we have to run. I actually wrote a post about how slowely we inbound the ball. That stuff will have to stop. Did you HEAR Rondo screaming at Perk in the first quarter last night. He was driving him on like a whipped mule to get the ball back in, so that he could counter break the Bulls. That has to be the norm, not the exception.

Rondo was the man last night. In fact, he's the best player on the Celtics right now. Imagine saying that 6 months ago. It's too bad he hurt the ankle again, as he will likely be limited in mobility for game 3. With so many injuries, we might be better of forfeiting game 3 and putting everything into game 4. But you're right, we have to run...I'm just not sure if Rondo will be physically able to do so. And we need to play TA too.

I'm with you, Ryan. I think that they should just rest Rondo through Game 3, and oput everything into winning game 4.

[BRUNiNHO91]

I tell you what...if Scal can play, he should start. And I'll tell you something else...our D will be much, much better, for Scal is a better defender than Baby. I really, really, REALLLLLLLLY hope Scala can come back this next game....we need him bad...

[Red2]

Mikki Less. Lose the hair dude and the high socks and grow a pair. stop with the fake hustle. stop acting like you're defending a play when the ball is already in the hoop. fly bys after the ball is gone mean nothing. spot up for the jumper once in a while- would it kill you? that's why we got you. And how about a blocked shot know and then. You're 7 feet tall for crying out loud. Put some weights in your pants so you don't get pushed around and try counting to 200 before you foul someone. I'm not sure I've ever disliked a new player faster than Mikki Moore.

[ryaningf]

Rondo was the man last night. In fact, he's the best player on the Celtics right now. Imagine saying that 6 months ago. It's too bad he hurt the ankle again, as he will likely be limited in mobility for game 3. With so many injuries, we might be better of forfeiting game 3 and putting everything into game 4. But you're right, we have to run...I'm just not sure if Rondo will be physically able to do so. And we need to play TA too.

I'm with you, Ryan. I think that they should just rest Rondo through Game 3, and oput everything into winning game 4.

Yeah, Rondo can gut it out, but at what cost? A sub-par Rondo game and potentially more wear-and-tear on the ankles. Maybe you sit him out Thursday and hope Marbury takes a trip in the way-back machine.

I expect Rondo to play though. He's too tough not to...

BTW, here are Rose's and Rondo's stats through two games. Rondo's only averaging a triple-double so far...

Rondo:

24 points, 49% from the field, 11.5 assists, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 1.5 turnovers

Rose:

23 points, 57% from the field, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, .5 steals, 3.5 turnovers

[Avalanche]

I have realistic expectations for what scal can do on the court, but it would definitely be nice to have him back, especially now that leon is out aswell

[MaxwellSmart]

Mikki Less. Lose the hair dude and the high socks and grow a pair. stop with the fake hustle. stop acting like you're defending a play when the ball is already in the hoop. fly bys after the ball is gone mean nothing. spot up for the jumper once in a while- would it kill you? that's why we got you. And how about a blocked shot know and then. You're 7 feet tall for crying out loud. Put some weights in your pants so you don't get pushed around and try counting to 200 before you foul someone. I'm not sure I've ever disliked a new player faster than Mikki Moore.

I'd be happy if he would block out on rebounds once in awhile.

[humblebum]

I'd rather play Tony Allen at Center than Mikki Moore. No kidding.

[Fencer reregistered]

We can really use Scal, but I'm beginning to have Ted Johnson fears about him.

At least he'll take a lot fewer blows to the head than Johnson used to ...

[Hemingway]

Let us not forget, before the season on picture day Scal showed up in low tops and no socks.

[Al-Haqq]

What's disturbing, but not surprising is that there are C's fans who actually feel Scal being back can help us in a noticeable way.

[Mahoney_jr]

Scal was one of the main reasons why the Celtics could win important games without KG. Since January our defense absolutely sucks balls without KG. That's because Scal isn't there to get us quality minutes on defense. But after three concussions and many games missed, I don't expect Scal to contribute this season anymore.

[BillessuR6]

If Scal comes back in reasonably good shape he will do wonders for our defense!