Scal played great D against the Bucks

[SalmonAndMashedPotatoes]

Scal's problem is on offense. He doesn't have the confidence to take the shot or really get much done on that end. Defensively he does his job well enough for a backup 3/4.

If he could just bury a few jumpers when needed he'd be a hell of a lot more useful.

Hmmm. He was 2-2 from the floor including a nice 3 from the corner which is his shot. Every open look he had in the limited minutes he played he took. I think everyone is too hard on Scal and have said so for a very long time on here. He is definitely a player who adds value out there and if the option is him or TA off the bench lately I would rather see Scal. I think it was definitely a message though.

Scal played great last night because he kept it simple.  He made the easy pass, didn't dribble too much, only shot when it was his shot (he did turn down at least 2 threes he could have taken--and actually has taken at other points in his Celtic career) and otherwise played smart.  Unfortunately, for a player with a supposed high BBIQ, Scal rarely plays smart.  He often overdribbles or otherwise tries too hard to make something happen and that's where the stupid turnovers or offensive fouls or bricks from the outside come from--and that's why he gets buried on the bench.  If the Scal we saw last night came to play every night, then he'd have a bigger role on this team.  But don't expect that to happen, because deep down Scal thinks he's better than he actually is and that tendency will show itself.  But for a night he actually played within himself and he really contributed to the win.  So good for him.  For one night, he brought something to the table.

But let's not get carried away.  Tony, Powe, and Baby all deserve minutes more than Scal.  Scal is an option at 3 in certain circumstances, but not THE option.  He's still a speed or size mismatch waiting to happen against almost every team in the league and for the most part his ego is going to make him a liability on the offensive end.  And what the bench really needs is highly efficient scoring from 15 feet and in.  Scal only brings highly inefficient scoring from the 3 point line.  He's just not a good fit. 

Personally, I think the best way to jump start the bench is to use Pruitt at point and let Eddie play 2, with TA at 3.  We just don't move the ball with the 2nd unit and Pruitt can help with that and his presence will make Eddie more of a spot-up shooter, a position where he excels.  When Eddie's playing point, the ball doesn't move, Powe and TA don't get enough opportunities, and Eddie's often forced to chuck off-the-dribble, something he's not that good at.  Pruitt could really change the dynamic on the 2nd unit. 

[Roy Hobbs]

Unfortunately, for a player with a supposed high BBIQ, Scal rarely plays smart.  He often overdribbles or otherwise tries too hard to make something happen and that's where the stupid turnovers or offensive fouls or bricks from the outside come from--and that's why he gets buried on the bench.

I think you might be mischaracterizing things a bit by suggesting that Scal often commits turnovers offensive fouls, etc.  Last year, Scal was 10th on the team in terms of turnovers per minute, and this season he has yet to turn the ball over.  He was also 13th (out of 15 players) on the team last year in terms of shots per minute, so it's not like he's chucking up a lot of bad shots (and in terms of "bricks from the outside", he shot a higher percentage on threes than did Tony and Rondo, for instance).

Scal isn't a very good offensive player, but to blame him for being turnover prone and for being a poor outside shooter seems unfair (especially when your moniker refers to a player who historically has been an even poorer outside shooter and who led the team last season in turnovers per minute.)

[feckless]

With Pruitt at point - Eddie at 2 - TA at 3 - Big Baby at 4- and Leon at Center we are seriously undersized (length) at every position but point.  That's why they were hoping that Patrick O'Bryant would work out and add some length.

We need another  scoring option off the bench-- scoring 2, not just a 3 point threat like Eddie, or a legit sized 3 to complete this bench.

[cordobes]

Unfortunately, for a player with a supposed high BBIQ, Scal rarely plays smart.  He often overdribbles or otherwise tries too hard to make something happen and that's where the stupid turnovers or offensive fouls or bricks from the outside come from--and that's why he gets buried on the bench.

I think you might be mischaracterizing things a bit by suggesting that Scal often commits turnovers offensive fouls, etc.  Last year, Scal was 10th on the team in terms of turnovers per minute, and this season he has yet to turn the ball over.  He was also 13th (out of 15 players) on the team last year in terms of shots per minute, so it's not like he's chucking up a lot of bad shots (and in terms of "bricks from the outside", he shot a higher percentage on threes than did Tony and Rondo, for instance).

Scal isn't a very good offensive player, but to blame him for being turnover prone and for being a poor outside shooter seems unfair (especially when your moniker refers to a player who historically has been an even poorer outside shooter and who led the team last season in turnovers per minute.)

C'mon, let's not allow facts to spoil a good fairy-tale.

I wonder if Scal playing last night was a message or was it that he is truly their best option at the 3.

It's very simple: he played because he brings to the table things that the team has been missing.

Scal's problem is on offense. He doesn't have the confidence to take the shot or really get much done on that end. Defensively he does his job well enough for a backup 3/4.

If he could just bury a few jumpers when needed he'd be a hell of a lot more useful.

Hmmm. He was 2-2 from the floor including a nice 3 from the corner which is his shot. Every open look he had in the limited minutes he played he took. I think everyone is too hard on Scal and have said so for a very long time on here. He is definitely a player who adds value out there and if the option is him or TA off the bench lately I would rather see Scal. I think it was definitely a message though.

He passed a 3pt shot at the corner that he should have taken. However, one of their defenders had to run wildly to close him out, Scal pump-faked and took him out of the play (and of the the court). If it was Rondo or Tony Allen with the ball, they wouldn't even try to close out.

[Cman]

In the mean time, Scal's pretty fly for a white guy.

TP 

I am glad Scal had a good game.  maybe I will finally get the Scalabrine jersey my brother keeps pushing me to get (he thinks I look like Scal because I am a redhead).

[Scribbles]

Scal played very well against the Bucks.  Not sure why Doc went to him first of the bench, whether it was a message being sent, or that he felt Scal had played Jefferson in practice so many years in practice that'd be the best bet of trying to slow him down while Pierce was resting/in fould trouble.  Its kind of sad when Scal may be the 2nd best outside shooter off the bench.  I would think Pruitt is better but until he gets some playing time, which he deserves, I have to give Scal the nod.   

[wdleehi]

Scali is still a 10 minute players.



Put him on the court for 10 minutes of a game, and he can help with his defense.


Put him out longer then that, you give the other team a chance to expose his weakness. 


12th man.  Has a role and knows how to play it.  (something many of the other bench players are still trying to learn)

[Atzar]

Richard Jefferson is 6'7" and long.  He'd shoot over the top of TA with no problems at all.  I think that's why Scal got the nod over TA on this particular assignment.  I think a lot of people on this board are too quick to try to look between the lines on decisions like this.

And feckless, Giddens and Walker are plenty big enough to play backup 3 - Walker is about as big as Pierce, and Giddens is insanely long - I read somewhere that he has the length of the average 6'8" player.  That, along with his hops, is what made him such a good rebounder in college.   

[feckless]

And feckless, Giddens and Walker are plenty big enough to play backup 3 - Walker is about as big as Pierce, and Giddens is insanely long - I read somewhere that he has the length of the average 6'8" player.  That, along with his hops, is what made him such a good rebounder in college.   
[/quote]

TA, Giddens and Walker are all about 6'4", Ray is 6'5" & PP is 6'6"  --I know it is TV but standing side by side Ray and PP are visibly taller than the other 3 who all appear to be within an inch of each other.
As for length:
http://www.mynbadraft.com/NBA-Draft-Combine-Measurements/

Giddens seems to have the reach of a average 6'4" player--as I said they are true 2 guards and it is tough to always ask them to play against a good sized 3---giving up 3 or 4 inches.

[crownsy]

And feckless, Giddens and Walker are plenty big enough to play backup 3 - Walker is about as big as Pierce, and Giddens is insanely long - I read somewhere that he has the length of the average 6'8" player.  That, along with his hops, is what made him such a good rebounder in college.   

TA, Giddens and Walker are all about 6'4", Ray is 6'5" & PP is 6'6"  --I know it is TV but standing side by side Ray and PP are visibly taller than the other 3 who all appear to be within an inch of each other.
As for length:
http://www.mynbadraft.com/NBA-Draft-Combine-Measurements/

Giddens seems to have the reach of a average 6'4" player--as I said they are true 2 guards and it is tough to always ask them to play against a good sized 3---giving up 3 or 4 inches.
[/quote]

walker is not 6'4. he's listed as 6'6 i belive, and he is visably taller than TA and giddens.

[feckless]

Since Walker is not listed in the combine official measurements we will never know for sure but he sure appears to be shorter than PP and Ray.  But can we agree that TA and Giddens as  3's are limited because of their height.

[dark_lord]

scal is a likeable guy and fun to root for (and laugh at), but lets call a spade a spade....dude is garbage!

[crownsy]

Since Walker is not listed in the combine official measurements we will never know for sure but he sure appears to be shorter than PP and Ray.  But can we agree that TA and Giddens as  3's are limited because of their height.

not on walker we can't, he was a very good 3 in college, has pierce's length, roughly, and was known as a good defender. no reason he can't defend 3's well, except experiance. which is why i still want a vetran 3 added before the playoffs (and expect it will happen)

JR is more fo a 2, for sure.

[housecall]

scal is a likeable guy and fun to root for (and laugh at), but lets call a spade a spade....dude is garbage!

then you must have a real high opinion of TA,Rondo and POB these days.I give credit where and when its due.Im not really posting about what Scal overall game is but even so i dont put him in the garbage category.He helped his team in time of need(urgency)and thats what counts.(imo)   

[dark_lord]

scal is a likeable guy and fun to root for (and laugh at), but lets call a spade a spade....dude is garbage!

then you must have a real high opinion of TA,Rondo and POB these days.I give credit where and when its due.Im not really posting about what Scal overall game is but even so i dont put him in the garbage category.He helped his team in time of need(urgency)and thats what counts.(imo)   

what does my opinion of those other guys have to do with scal?  my assessment is based on HIS play on the floor over the last few years.  again, he is likeable, but his game is garbage!

you give credit when and where it is due....fine.  he had a decent game against the bucks. every other game he has been involved in this season, he has been a joke. maybe you like to break everything down game by game, but my statement was made looking at the big picture.