Danny says he won't cut Scalabrine

[greenwise]

"Celtics boss Danny Ainge, however, insists Scalabrine still can play a role, pointing to the run in late January and early February when he filled in for Kevin Garnett.

“I have no intention of cutting Scal,” Ainge said. “It’s early. We think Scal can help us. Last year when KG got hurt, Scal started and we were 7-2 in those games. Our team defense was even better. I’m not saying he’s a better defensive player than KG, but we were able to maintain things and play good team defense.”

Doc Rivers also appreciates Scalabrine.

“He’s an energy player,” the coach said. “He comes off the bench and can play (both forward spots). He’s a veteran. Defensively he makes very good basketball decisions. Offensively he’s got work to do.”


http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2008_10_15_Brian_Scalabrine_still_wants_to_help_C_s/

[greenwise]

By the way, i just noticed the "it's early", could it mean he may think about trading or cutting him later in the year?

In any case, i think the potential candidates for the cut are Miles and Cassell. Either Sam accepts the coaching role or Miles leaves. I don't see Danny waiving any of the rookies or second year ones like Pruitt. I hate it cause i think Miles can be great in a couple of months...

[ManUp]

The fact that he had to say he wouldn't cut him just proves how bad Scal has been. It's been pretty obvious Scal has been our worst player. The only logical thing to do would be to cut him, but team won't eat his contract. Of course they're not going to say that so voila we have our Danny quote of the day. I feel bad for who ever ends up getting cut. Who ever it is probably has more to contribute to this team than Scal ever will. 

[nickagneta]

So Danny won't cut Scalabrine because he can still add something to the team?! Yeah, and the next American president won't eventually have to raise taxes either! Anyone want to buy some land near the Okefenokee Swamp in Florida? I hear it will be worth millions in a couple of years!

Danny isn't cutting Scal because he isn't going to be allowed to eat his $15 million mistake by ownership when Scal's $3million can be packaged along with Ray Allen's contract at the trading deadline next season to the highest bidder wanting to sign LeBron, Bosh, or any of the other big free agents coming on the market in 2010. Come trading deadline 2010, the Celtics might just have the most valuable commodity on the market, about $20-21 million in cap space. Scal is going nowhere

But that then begs the question, who is going?

There's only 2 answers that make any sense, Sam I Am or Darius "[dang] my knee hurts more than I am letting on" Miles. Either Sam will never play another game and just meld into Rondo's and Pruitt's personal point guard coach or the Darius Miles experiment in Boston is over.

Personally I think the decision is an easy one and always has been. A non-guaranteed contract, a knee that is converting a once promising SF into a rather non-impressive PF, and a 10 game out-of-the-gates suspension makes this a slam dunk decision for Danny. Darius Miles had a big fat X on his back since the moment he signed a non-guaranteed contract and couldn't come into camp being the heir apparent to James Posey's SF spot right away.

Miles needed to come in and "WOW" the coaching staff. My guess is, judging from the only occasional compliment on his play, the fact that he can't seem to come even close to hitting an outside shot, the fact that his offensive game that he is exhibiting is already being played much better by Leon Powe and Glen Davis, and finally that Bill Walker seems to be much more capable of filling the backup SF minutes tells me that Miles hasn't "WOW"ed the staff.

To bad too, because from all indications it seems as he may have finally grown up and if he could have returned to his former self, Boston would have been a good fit for him.

[Atzar]

I'd like to keep Miles around for awhile.  He gives us length at the SF position that we don't have in anybody else.  Besides, I'm still not sold that his lackluster play isn't simply because of being out of shape and removed from the game for two years.  I'm not quite ready to write him off yet, although it is very obvious that he's not going to help us as he is right now.

My choice would be to cut Cassell and keep him as a coach.  Then, he can still teach Pruitt to be vocal and to post up smaller point guards.  Pruitt has an excellent skillset that could make him a very good reserve for us.  I think Cassell could add pieces to his game that would make him that much better.

[Oldschoolkid]

SAM AS A COACH WORKS,  mostly because Doc likes him so much and we know he will be here, cutting Scal is the best option. What does he do...Nothing. Sitting in the corner waiting for a pass.....Everyone says Leon and BBD should be in there getting rebounds. Scal hardly ever is underneath, the only place he should be. His "novelty" act of hitting a three pointer now and then is a waste. He is wayyyy overpaid. D Miles is so much better than Scal is. Why doesn't Scal's game EVER improve..? It never changes. Just a doof out there. If he gets the ball everyone goes crazy due to VERY low expectations (like someone else in another forum) If Sam goes to coach, problem solved. Otherwise, eat the salary and take D Miles for FREE, pretend the $$$ is going to him. Oh, and just to add to it, where are all those Tony Allen haters from last year...?

[nickagneta]

SAM AS A COACH WORKS,  mostly because Doc likes him so much and we know he will be here, cutting Scal is the best option. What does he do...Nothing. Sitting in the corner waiting for a pass.....Everyone says Leon and BBD should be in there getting rebounds. Scal hardly ever is underneath, the only place he should be. His "novelty" act of hitting a three pointer now and then is a waste. He is wayyyy overpaid. D Miles is so much better than Scal is. Why doesn't Scal's game EVER improve..? It never changes. Just a doof out there. If he gets the ball everyone goes crazy due to VERY low expectations (like someone else in another forum) If Sam goes to coach, problem solved. Otherwise, eat the salary and take D Miles for FREE, pretend the $$$ is going to him. Oh, and just to add to it, where are all those Tony Allen haters from last year...?

That would be me. I'm still here and still not a fan of his game and still don't think they should have brought him back because he isn't that much better than when he entered the league.

Sorry, don't want to hijack the thread, just wanted to let people know we are still out here.

I am nickagneta, a card carrying member of the Tony Allen Haters club and I approve of this post.

[Chief]

I see no reason to keep Scal besides his contract. He has never had much offense and now he has no confidence. A very bad mix.

[ssspence]

see my post about a trade for darko. he may be the only available big our there that makes much sense in trade for the Cs...

[ACF]

Homer is disappointed, too...

[REGGIEEEE]

I have no idea if this is even plausible.  But what i could see happening is Cassell getting cut before the season starts to give us the chance to see what guys like Pruitt, Walker and Giddens can do in real games.  After Miles serves his suspension we give him, i dont know, say 10 games to see what he has to offer to the team.  At that point we can buy him or any of the non performers out of their contracts and fill it with a guy like say SAM CASSELL.  And if Miles doesnt pan out.  Which I am really hoping doesn't happen he plays his 10 games and we get to stick it to Portland for trading us sebastion telfair for Greg Oden and Brandon Roy.  And if they all pan out to be contributors, we get an early look at coach Cassell.

[fairweatherfan06]

doesn't mean he won't trade him.

[bucknersrevenge]

I agree that it is probably gonna be Sam going to the coaching staff or Miles getting cut. I like Miles but not only is Tony showing evidence that he could be the same guy he was just before he got hurt but the bigger surprise is that Walker looks like he could back up the 3 just fine. The surprise of Walker I think is gonna make Miles expendable. and even when Walker is resting that knee JR showed in the few minutes he played that he's gonna be able to handle himself just fine also. I' prefer Miles to Scal but that song has already been sung.

[FatjohnReturns]

If any two players outta kg,perk and powe get hurt scals going to be playing. He also has a favorbale contract tradewise for next year. It makes sense that Danny said this. I would much have Miles being my backup 3 than either or the rookies. Rookies hit a wall in the spring look at Baby after Febuary. Giddens go to the D league and doesnt dress or Cassell goes to coaching to start the season.

If I was making the call i would get Cassell in unifrom and dont dress Giddens. Scal did not dress for the last half of the year and didnt complain! Good example of Celtic Pride.

[KungPoweChicken]

I did not expect Scal to get cut, but it is still the most depressing news I have heard all week.