Scal's Finest

by Steve Weinman on Jan 20, 2009 1:00 PM EST in NBA Articles

A Daily Babble Production

Apparently, the gorilla game isn't all it's cracked up to be. At least not when the redhead is around.

Amare Stoudemire told the Arizona Republic's Paul Coro this weekend that he was about to "get [his] gorilla game on." This had something to do with domination, according to the Phoenix big man.

There wasn't any of that to be found from him last night at the New Garden in Beantown, and the biggest reason for that was none other than Brian Scalabrine himself.

Disclaimer: Yes, I wrote the opening to this piece with tongue planted firmly in cheek. I've gushed at least twice previously on the improvement of Amare's offensive arsenal and how much I enjoy watching him. It goes without saying that there is generally no comparison between Stoudemire and the guy who guarded him for the Celtics last night.

But for one evening in Boston, Scal had STAT's number.

With Kevin Garnett and at times Glen Davis facing the task of defending Shaquille O'Neal in the absence of Kendrick Perkins, the redhead stepped up to make sure that his partner in the frontcourt wasn't an issue. He refused to allow him any breathing room inside and bumped Stoudemire as much as the referees would allow him below the foul line. Just about each of Stoudemire's seven field goal attempts came challenged, and there is no telling how many more would-be shots were discouraged by the Celtics' swarming defense. Seven shots in 30 minutes played is rather low for a guy who takes more than 14 shots in his 37 minutes per game. It's especially low for a guy promising to display his gorilla game in short order.

Forget being a liability at the defensive end. Scal did just about everything right. Normally forced into foul trouble by his lack of quickness, he committed just two fouls on the evening and none in the first half. He blocked a shot and was integral in forcing some of Amare Stoudemire's four turnovers. One of those in particular came as a result of Scalabrine's best play of the evening: After getting switched from STAT to Shaq on one particular play, Scal slid across the lane to plant himself just outside the restricted area as Stoudemire broke to the basket against Kevin Garnett. Scal remained stationary and took the hit from Stoudemire, resulting in a hard-earned offensive foul call. Beautiful.

Indeed, Scalabrine missed several open looks at the offensive end and shot just 2-for-8 for the night. But on an evening when he played a primary role in holding one of the NBA's most dynamic offensive players not just to three points total but to zero made baskets from the field, a poor night shooting the ball hardly seems reason to nitpick. On a night when just about everything seemed to go right for the Celts - Rajon Rondo was spectacular, Ray Allen shot the lights out, the Infuriated Infant busted his tail at both ends, Bill Walker got some more fun run in a blowout victory, the list goes on - Brian Scalabrine turned in his finest performance as a Celtic. Atta way, Brian.

***

We've also got two pieces of unrelated but highly recommended reading for you today. This compilation of actual quotes from NBA players courtesy of lowposts had me rolling (hat tip to CB member silvershamrocker). Absolutely hilarious.

On another note, no kidding's fanpost about KG, LeBron, Kobe and resin-tossing is a must-read. You may not like what he has to say, but as cordobes notes, he does a solid job making his point and defending it. Well thought-out and intriguing piece.

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Glad this is being pointed out. I never understood why people thought that Scal was not a good defender. He has always defended well. He is prone to alot of fouls, but that is as much due to lacking respect of the officials as poor positioning. Mostly, when he fouls, he does so properly, to avoid an easy hoop.

If Scal could get a steady 3 pointer going, I would push him for regular minutes in the rotation. For now, with the other starters hitting their open shots again, it is less critical. But should they ever go into a slump again, Scal will have to show more on the offensive end.

by footey on Jan 20, 2009 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Scal

you wouldn’t be talking about Brian"Shut Down"Scalabrine sw ?…Scal played some good D on the gorilla man.

by house_call on Jan 20, 2009 1:16 PM EST reply actions

Gorilla? Stoudamire was at best a pigmy marmoset.

That was great defense by Scalabrine. I’ve dissed the guy as muc as anyone, but I have nothing but praise for his play last night.

by Brickowski on Jan 20, 2009 1:58 PM EST reply actions

Well I tried to post a picture of a pigmy marmoset from Wikipedia but it didn’t work. They’re cute, but they can’t rebound at all.

by Brickowski on Jan 20, 2009 1:59 PM EST reply actions

guerrilla, maybe

but certainly not gorilla. He was effectively invisible out there.

by scurvmeister on Jan 20, 2009 2:05 PM EST reply actions

Amar’e Stoudemire demonstrated why he is not a superstar. Superstars play hard at both ends of the court. Amar’e did not, and does not do this. Scal did a great job, as did the rest of the Celtics on defense, but for Amar’e to be ‘the man’, he has to learn that it takes more than scoring to do so.

Good job, great win.

by amenhotep04 on Jan 20, 2009 2:16 PM EST reply actions

I cringed after a few of Scal’s WIDE OPEN misses, but he made up for a poor shooting night with solid D.

BTW, Baby’s been eating his Cheerios. I had no idea he could even dunk, let alone get up like that.

by Cousin It on Jan 20, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions

Good Win

But let’s face it. The Suns were exhausted from the day before and travel. They lost that game before tips off.

by The Real Large James 2 on Jan 20, 2009 3:05 PM EST reply actions

Thats no excuse for the suns, I believe we’ve had one of the busiest first half schedules in the NBA, so i dont feel sorry for em

by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 20, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

There's some true in that

4th game in 5 days, with lots of traveling involved with the 3 previous games being discussed till the last shot or going OT.

by cordobes on Jan 20, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

You're right Ancient

But I still think that’s the reason for the blow out. The Suns aren’t that bad. I do Terry Porter might be in trouble.

by The Real Large James 2 on Jan 20, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions

Thats the way it goes sometime, like when we play orlando on thursday it will be our 3rd game in 4 nights, while the magic will be coming off 4 straight days off

by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 20, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

God Love Ray but...

He better be ready to play in Miami after hanging out in the frigid cold all day in DC. BTW, Teddy Kennedy just had a seizure at the inaugural luncheon. That’s tough.

by The Real Large James 2 on Jan 20, 2009 3:29 PM EST reply actions

He really should resign.

by Brendan on Jan 20, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

Suns have managed to tone down their offense while not improving their D one iota. Shameful performance by them last night – back to back games or not. Game was way too easy for the C’s. I understand what Kerr’s trying to do (I think), but watching Phoenix last night was just…. sad.

by theBird on Jan 20, 2009 4:17 PM EST reply actions

How fun would it be to watch us play the spurs right now? A frontcourt matchup of KG/Scal Vs. Duncan/Bonner. Haha!

by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 20, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions

who needs the teams?

I’d pay to see that two on two. Good call.

by Thruthelookingglass on Jan 20, 2009 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

I too cringe everytime he waste every pass Rondo makes to him WIDE OPEN for three or two sometimes but just flat out miss the rim..Rondo should have had 11 or so assist if Scal just made his jumpers.

not compplaining though since we got the W but I do hope Scal improves on his wide open three’s…if he does it on a consistent basis just as Posey does then and only then I would vouch for the redhead,

Amare had a bad game, its not entirely Scal who abused Amare on D….just one of those days that Amare did not do well, he is entitled to a few of those in a long season….just ask Ray Allen whenever he goes 2 for 10 shooting, or even PP when he does a 3-14…IT happens…..next time they meet id betcha Amare scores 20 or more points on the redhead.

by bopna on Jan 20, 2009 5:00 PM EST reply actions

scal is very useful when he plays with the big four. he is of less use and less complmentary with the scrubs. it has been a great revelation watching scal do the little things and not be needed to carry any loads recently and finally danny has been getting his scal rewards. we still need a big and pronto.

by nazzbo on Jan 20, 2009 5:13 PM EST reply actions

Scal Supporter Redeemed

Scal was not as bad last year as his blog critics wailed. However he was every bit that bad during the pre-season. As a Scal supporter I had to admit he made a poor case for making the team. But the coaches knew best and what we are seeing now Doc saw. So props for Doc gettig contribution from the bench where many least expected it.
And Scal, put in ear plugs at the Garden and just shoot when you’re open.

by Wildblu1 on Jan 20, 2009 5:13 PM EST reply actions

Scal's Defense

Scals mentioned in a post-game interview that he watched tapes of Stoudemire against Toronto and of his 5 previous games. He determined his tendencies and executed his defense to perfection to take Stoudemire out of his game. A long time ago Scals defended KG well when he was with the T’Woves. If Scals knows who he will be defending in advance, he does his homework and does his job. I still think Scals could be big for us come playoff time when he knows his assignment thruout a series.

by TrueGreen on Jan 20, 2009 8:27 PM EST reply actions

Quotes Are Okay But

In giving someone directions to his home he said “when you come to a fork in the road take it”…Yogi Berra.

by TrueGreen on Jan 20, 2009 8:30 PM EST reply actions

Scal has always been a good defender...

I remember two games where he shut down KG (obviously pre-trade) and Big Al. He’s also played great defense on Rashard Lewis and Al Harrington, among others. Generally, Scal hasn’t contributed much on offense (although he’s been better recently), but he’s always played good defense.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Jan 21, 2009 6:21 AM EST reply actions