Scal Squeezed Out

by Jeff Clark on Mar 10, 2008 5:09 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Brian Scalabrine is not unaware of the mathematics. Thirteen does not go into 12.
As soon as Sam Cassell is cleared to play - which could be as early as tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers [team stats] - the Celtics [team stats] will have a nightly decision to make. With Scot Pollard out for the year due to ankle surgery and Gabe Pruitt dribbling in the NBA Development League, the C’s will have to make one player inactive. Judging from the way the rotation has been going lately, Scalabrine is in the crosshairs.

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Scal should be the odd man out. We are now loaded at the positions he plays. Pierce, Posey play the 3, Garnett, Perk, Powe, Baby, and PJ cover the 4/5 positions. I wouldn’t play Scal ahead of any of these players. Scal’s value to the team relied on his ability to hit the outside shot, which he really wasn’t able to do despite given numerous opportunities. We now have solid backups at every position and are playing the kind of ball that has made us a dominant team.

by halfman/halfoyster on Mar 10, 2008 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

Well, I’ve been a Scal suppporter but he played himself into 13th on this team. If he can’t rebound or hit that spot up shot – and he misses by a mile – the other intangibles are done better by others. Too bad. He’s not a Vin Baker scale waste of money but a regrettable $3.0 mil per year.

by Wildblu1 on Mar 10, 2008 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

It is a little sad…but hey, that’s the way the ball bounces.

He’ll be a good reserve if things go sour with someone else.

by mcpu40 on Mar 10, 2008 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

“Each journey of a man crosses this path and each man sees death in his own mirror.”

by Master Po on Mar 10, 2008 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

I would expect the team to bench either Big Baby or Powe, not Scal. Baby and Powe are the same player. Scal is the only player on the team not named Garnett that can guard a quick power forward like Bosh, Dirk, Josh Smith, etc… Posey is not a PF and shouldn’t be guarding these players. I like both BBD and Powe but I think Scal gives us more flexibility.

by FatoineLover on Mar 10, 2008 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree. Scal not playing is the right move. Both Baby and Powe have contributed more so it would be a mistake to expect Scal to all of a sudden produce when he hasn’t all year. Besides, Baby and Powe have been playing defense just as well as Scal and contributes more than just defense.

by Bankshot on Mar 10, 2008 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

it was inevitable, given the moves. scal will be ready if needed. he can be a valuable short term piece.

by nazzbo on Mar 10, 2008 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

Scal squeezed out? Oh cruel world!

by Brickowski on Mar 10, 2008 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Not only that, but playing BBD and Powe increases their trade value in the off season.

by mcpu40 on Mar 10, 2008 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

I would expect the team to bench either Big Baby or Powe, not Scal. Baby and Powe are the same player. Scal is the only player on the team not named Garnett that can guard a quick power forward like Bosh, Dirk, Josh Smith, etc… Posey is not a PF and shouldn’t be guarding these players. I like both BBD and Powe but I think Scal gives us more flexibility.

Really? He can guard a quick PF? He can barely cover Lucky or Willie May. BBD and Powe can’t shoot from outside but they are just as fast if not faster than Scal and provide way more overall offense. And since he can’t really shoot like everyone is convinced he can, he brings absolutely no value to this team. Powe can cover any PF in the league. He shut down Dirk earlier this year.

I could not be more excited about this move. I always thought he got way too much credit for bringing absolutely nothing to the table. Remember when Doc said he did a “great job of shadowing the defender up the court”? It’s because they couldn’t come up with any other reason why he was getting PT. It’s ridiculous that this guy is not playing in the NBDL or overseas.

by DJ RYB on Mar 10, 2008 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

Give him M.L.’s towel…

by Andy Jick on Mar 10, 2008 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

I meant “POSEY can cover any PF in the league. He shut down Dirk earlier this year.”

by DJ RYB on Mar 10, 2008 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Scal is the guy who should sit, but at least when they hand out the rings, he can legitimately say he played his role. Unlike Pollard.

by Cousin It on Mar 10, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Yep, Spears is reporting that Cassell has been activated and Scal put on the inactive list for tonight:

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2008/03/cassell_activat.html

by MattD on Mar 10, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

Watch Cassell start (ha ha ha).

What’s a little strange, though, is the fact that Cassell seems to think it’s a foregone conclusions that while he may not start, he’ll have the ball in crunchtime.

I’ve heard him say that on a few occasions.

How do you think that makes Rondo feel?

by mcpu40 on Mar 10, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

mcpu40- exactly why I wasn’t in favor of bringing him in here…

As far as Scal goes, I have felt many people here have been way too hard judging him and not giving him some credit in the areas he is good at. (mainly playing solid defense against PF’s that play on the perimeter) That being said, I do feel that with the way that Powe has played this year that Powe is a lock. If there is any question it will be about BBD, but I don’t see that happening. He is a legitimate post offensive threat which Scal most definitely is not. I would rather see Scal defensively out away from the basket, because BBD really is poor out there. I don’t think that is enough to justify Scal over him though…

by EJPLAYA on Mar 10, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Given the way everything has turned out for Danny – Scal will go down as one of the moves that didn’t work.

In theory it was the right idea, positive veteran presence for a young team, but his lack of skills on the floor diminished any shoot at leadership and relegated him to being just an all around “good guy”.

by SShoreFan on Mar 10, 2008 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah EJPLAYA, you weren’t shy about the Cassell issue.

We’ll see how it all plays out…to answer my own question (above), I’d think Rondo would feel at BEST a little slighted…in that he’d do all the work, hustle, etc., and Sam comes in and finishes it up.

Kind of like Running Back who does all the work getting the team down the field, only to have a different running back cross the goal line.

Right now, you gotta admit, the C’s are pretty much stacked and must be considered in the top 4 teams in the NBA.

Just writing that sentence is incredible, given where they were at 365 days ago.

by mcpu40 on Mar 10, 2008 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

I think you said it just right. THAT was my big concern. I don’t think he has much in the way of legs go anymore, but I am more concerned about what it does to Rondo.

It IS great to be a fan right now. If they play the way they are playing now, I am not that worried about anyone out there being ’’better’’ than we are. Maybe more playoff experienced, but not better.

by EJPLAYA on Mar 10, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions