What if...we keep Brian Scalabrine?

[greenwise]

I feel kind of melancholic this morning. There are very few news concerning the Celtics, the draft is still a month away (and we hold the exciting 58th pick ) and free agency signing deadline is even further away in time, so I felt like looking at the players we have signed for next season.

Today, I feel like appreciating Brian Scalabrine. I have previously regretted his signing before this season, then admiring the stubborn pride and fight of the redheaded Celtic. I propose you to look at some articles about him in 2005, right at the time when we signed him. I would say that after a couple of rough seasons he has finally found his niche in the green uniform in the last two years, don't you think?



1.Scalabrine has plenty to offer (august 2005)

''He's one of those guys who is just a coach's dream," said Ainge, who lauded Scalabrine for his basketball IQ, work ethic, and professionalism -- all areas the Celtics need improvement in. ''He makes cuts. He takes charges. He boxes out. He does all the fundamental things that you try to teach players to do.

''Where we are as a team, we will probably appreciate his value more than some other teams. We need a player like Brian Scalabrine."

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2005/08/03/scalabrine_has_plenty_to_offer/


2.Celtics' Scalabrine excited to wear new jersey (july 2005)


"Numbers are deceiving. I'm telling you right now, the Boston Celtics and any other team that was interested in signing me wasn't going to sign me based on numbers. They were going to sign me based on my knowledge of the game, my feel for the game, and the respect I have for the game of basketball and how hard I play."

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2005/07/28/celtics_scalabrine_excited_to_wear_new_jersey/


3. NETS HOPE PADGETT 'ROLES' LIKE BRIAN (October 2005)

 Scalabrine was not only beloved by Nets fans for his hustle and red hair, but he was a favorite among Nets players as well. Scalabrine, who was one of Jason Kidd's closest friends on the team, signed a five-year, $15-million deal with the Celtics.

Scalabrine hopes to help the Celtics figure out a way to solve the Nets, who have had Boston's number since Kidd arrived in 2001.

"When we go and play the Nets, I will tell our guys what they're going to do," Scalabrine told the Boston Herald earlier in the month.

"The biggest difference is I think (the Celtics) play about 10 times harder here than the Nets play in training camp. I mean, they play a hard, physical game here and that's important if you want to be successful. It's a much different environment than what I've been used to."

http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2005/10/22/2005-10-22_nets_hope_padgett__roles__li.html


4. Scalabrine trying to make name for himself (October 2005)

''As that type of player, you can look at everything two ways, negative or positive," said Scalabrine. ''If Doc sees me as a utility guy, then I have to embrace that role. If one day Doc sees me as the sixth man, then I have to embrace that role as well.

''You can't be cynical about the roles you get, feeling they don't fit in with you because that will ultimately lead to your failure. I just try to keep a positive mind-set about whatever I have to do. I'm here in Boston now and I've just got to find a way to make it work."

''It's kind of weird, but you have to take pride in doing things that don't matter that much," said Scalabrine. ''You have to take pride in the score going from 28-28 to 43-35. You say to yourself, 'Hey, I made an 8-point difference,' whether it was me or Paul Pierce who made phenomenal shots"

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2005/10/25/scalabrine_trying_to_make_name_for_himself/

5. Doc Rivers Interview

"Q: Talk about the signing of Brian Scalabrine?

Rivers: With Scal (Brian Scalabrine), we were really looking for an energy guy -- a big that can play in multiple positions and can stretch the floor and handle the ball. Scal fits in to what we’re trying to do offensively. Last year we were fifth in the league in scoring and third in field goal percentage but we were 25th in turnovers. So we really put a value on basketball IQ and Scal is a player who does that."

http://www.insidehoops.com/rivers-interview-101805.shtml

Feel free to add more

[Thruthelookingglass]

Yeah, Scalabrine is finally getting his due.  But I don't think his value to the team just started this year.  He probably did a lot to help the team in practice these last couple years.  I don't think you'll find many who will argue that we need to get rid of Scal -- though some don't like his price tag.

Your post reminds me of how Scal answered a question about free agency.  He said his plan A was to receive an offer to stay with the Celtics.  His plan B was to call Danny Ainge and beg.

Anyway, not something I think we have to worry about for the next year.

[QuinielaBox]

A legit folk hero not unlike Hank Finkel back in the 1970's. I think the connection is there with the real people. You got the Scal's Pals thing going in the Garden.

Tommy Hiensohn talks him up.

And I see him being a coach in the future.

[EJPLAYA]

... Then we would be considered smart. Unless he is the difference maker in a trade that brings us a big upgrade at the big man spot, or a terrific back up SF, we would be insane to not have the guy on our roster. We should be thinking of vet minimum 2 year extension after this one if anything. Perfect kind of guy for our club.

[2short]

Scal was great this year, didn't play much at the start but stepped in as a starter and was great.  Was doing great before his injury and came back to help us.  We need to keep him.  His expiring deal will help then resign him.  Great great guy to have near the end of the bench who also can spread floor and help us (against orlando!).  And when he's done playing the guy is coach material.

[CoachBo]

The concussions are a big question mark.

Plus, his contract matches up with running Tony Allen deservedly out of town nicely to trade for quality help at the 3.

Now, if you want to throw some cash at the recipient - New Orleans, for example - to buy Scal out and resign him, fine.

But I'm defintely interested in moving the combo of Scal and TT for quality bench help.

[wdleehi]

Scali has a roll on this team as the 11th or 12th man.  Ready for spot duty. 


But he is easily tradeable as a cap filler.

[Fafnir]

Scali has a roll on this team as the 11th or 12th man.  Ready for spot duty. 


But he is easily tradeable as a cap filler.

Plus if the C's really wanted he could just be bought out and come back. I can't imagine that'd be hard to setup with whatever destination we send him to.

[cornbreadsmart]

scal should have to work on his body a little like everyone else.i know that's not what scal is "about' but i don't believe he worked on his body at all. not a single off season since he's been here. as long as scal does'nt start believing he's a very smart player,WHICH HE'S NOT, he can fit in pretty well as a third string guy. i thought he did best he could vs. lewis even though the matchup destroyed us.

[waltzero]

TP for the OP!

For the people who keep saying the C's should package Scal with Tony:

Bill Simmons: Welcome to the 'No Benjamins Association.'

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090227

Paul freaking Allen and the Blazers could have had practically anything for Raef Lafrentz's expiring deal and THEY PASSED. The Cavs could have had Shaq for Wally/Pavlovic AND THEY PASSED. Teams are holding on to their expiring contracts.

That used to be an obvious bad move. They come off the books and you are still over the cap so your overall talent level just drops because you have no way to replace let alone upgrade them.

I'm not saying it's impossible to trade Scal, just that figuring our what is going to happen this offseason is about taking a close look at and really figuring out the new reality for the league.

C's want 2010 flexibility as much as anybody. I still think sending cash with Leon is much more likely than sending out Scal. But Scal does make a lot less money than Amare or Shaq so him coming off the books is not going to help a team's bottom line anywhere near as much, so maybe it's still possible.

I wonder if Rasheed Wallace will sign a one year deal? That's the sort of thing that could get Scal moved, a much better player who is also not on the books past 2010. But why would Detroit want Tony Allen on a new multi-year contract? Hmmmmmmm....

[CoachBo]

I believe some of the board's capologists have pointed out that we don't have cap flexibility in 2010, regardless of whether Ray Allen's onboard.

Scal is essential to match up in a trade to improve the bench. If he can be bought out, fine. If not, thanks for everything and good luck in Sacramento or New Orleans.

[JSD]

I can see Scal getting traded to a team looking to cut payroll and him accepting a buyout thus making him a free agent/LLE candidate  here in Boston.

[Scalablob990]

"He's one of those guys who is just a coach's dream," said Ainge, who lauded Scalabrine for his basketball IQ, work ethic, and professionalism -- all areas the Celtics need improvement in. ''He makes cuts. He takes charges. He boxes out. He does all the fundamental things that you try to teach players to do."

When you have people quad teaming Kidd when he's driving in and he kicks it out to Scalaflab for a wide open 3 back in the early 2000's, of course u'll look good for F. Agency.... I don't even want to know what Wyc feels like when he wakes up every morning and looks in the mirror, and says 'wow i'm paying 3 million for this clown'. I can also see his great work ethic from his excellent physique as well.... If they want the real definition of a coaches dream, a player who boxes out, takes charges, and does the fundamentals, they should open the dictionary and go to "P" and look for "Powe".

[greenwise]

"He's one of those guys who is just a coach's dream," said Ainge, who lauded Scalabrine for his basketball IQ, work ethic, and professionalism -- all areas the Celtics need improvement in. ''He makes cuts. He takes charges. He boxes out. He does all the fundamental things that you try to teach players to do."

When you have people quad teaming Kidd when he's driving in and he kicks it out to Scalaflab for a wide open 3 back in the early 2000's, of course u'll look good for F. Agency.... I don't even want to know what Wyc feels like when he wakes up every morning and looks in the mirror, and says 'wow i'm paying 3 million for this clown'. I can also see his great work ethic from his excellent physique as well.... If they want the real definition of a coaches dream, a player who boxes out, takes charges, and does the fundamentals, they should open the dictionary and go to "P" and look for "Powe".

So for you Glen Davis is not that player either? Just because he's got another type of body? It's curious, people forget that Larry Bird was judged upon his physical (or lack of) abilities. There are some more things than looking like an steroid freak (à la Lebron) to play good basketball

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Call me stupid but I'd trade Tony Allen way before even thinking about dealing Scal.

Scal's ability to play/defend multiple positions is extremely underrated as is his basketball IQ.

Scal = untouchable