CelticsStrong
Celtics Basketball => Celtics Talk => Topic started by: Roy H. on January 22, 2013, 10:51:58 PM
-
Scal got ragged on here quite a bit, to the point where fans underestimated how talented he was. Apparently that got under Scal's skin:
Over 11 NBA seasons, journeyman forward Brian Scalabrine cultivated an image of a regular guy who just happened to play basketball. Eventually, many fans came to believe that Scalabrine was an Average Joe, not an elite athlete (as all NBA players are), and figured that he probably wasn't that great at the profession that earned him tens of millions of dollars. This summer, Scalabrine said that he resented this suggestion (even if he also heartily embraced the regular guy image), and in December he challenged any Boston-area amateur basketball players to games of one-on-one.
On Monday, Scalabrine faced four hand-picked competitors. He destroyed them all. From CBS Boston (http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/01/22/toucher-richs-scallenge-no-challenge-for-brian-scalabrine/) (via TBJ):
Scalabrine, who retired over the summer after a very serviceable 11-year NBA career, took on four of Boston’s best ballers in 98.5 The Sports Hub’s 1-on-1 “Scallenge,” put on by morning hosts Toucher & Rich.
Listeners sent in their try-out videos, showing off their skills and talking some trash towards Scal, but it turns out even Boston’s best was no match for Scalabrine. [...]
Scalabrine — who spent the last few seasons of his career seen as the “human victory cigar” — easily defeated all four of his opponents, throwing down monstrous jams and sinking smooth jumpers as he beat them all by a combined score of 44-6.
That link also features a 30-minute video of the action, and it becomes very clear very quickly that Scalabrine is on another level from these athletes. Even against decent competition — the first challenger, Matt Tomaszewski, was on Syracuse's roster just last season — Scalabrine owned everyone. The second and third games were both shutouts, and the six points scored included one two-pointer. In four games, Scalabrine conceded just five baskets.
The guy was a pre-season All-America, and had a long NBA career. He's better than many think he is. Good for Scal for shutting down his critics.
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
-
Why would anyone really think they have a shot at beating a guy who played multiple years in the NBA on good teams as well. People are just dumb.
-
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/01/22/toucher-richs-scallenge-no-challenge-for-brian-scalabrine/
Worth a watch.
Good to see a (former) Celtic winning for a change.
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
The first guy in the video, Matt Tomaszewski, played at Syracuse (walk-on, I believe) and is 6'8".
The second guy, Jake Fay, is 6'5" and has a bball scholarship to Fordham (high school class of 2013). (Looks like he also had an offer from UMass).
Can't find anything on the 3rd guy, Rich Morantus.
And can't find a height on the last guy, Jon Hazzard, but he played D3 at Salve Regina University.
At least 2 D1 guys and a D3, not complete scrubs, but just shows how elite NBA players are.
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
The first guy in the video, Matt Tomaszewski, played at Syracuse (walk-on, I believe) and is 6'8".
Yeah the first guy was the only one who gave him any kind of a challenge and he looked to be an inch or two shorter. But not nearly as big in terms of build. Scal looks like a MAN compared to these boys he's playing.
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
That's unbelievably false. One of biggest misconceptions in sports. Maybe the average tall basketball player has more incentive to work on his game, but what you're saying simply isn't true, ESPECIALLY 1 on 1. A decent speed advantage can be much more deadly if used properly and more so than in a team setting where angles are a bigger factor.
Plus we're only talking about a couple inches here. Though even a foot+ wouldn't change any sort of difference in skill. Nate Robinson could easily hand any college player his lunch with only 1 man between him and the basket.
I've been eagerly waiting for the Scallenge since he told us about it. I fully expected this outcome, especially considering his biggest strength was defense. I knew nobody would be able to beat him with only the dribble, otherwise they'd have their choice of college or already be playing overseas.
-
What is really impressive watching those videos is his footwork on defense. He just did not let any of these guys get where they wanted to go.
-
What is really impressive watching those videos is his footwork on defense. He just did not let any of these guys get where they wanted to go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KfQyaTLMYs&noredirect=1
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
That's unbelievably false. One of biggest misconceptions in sports. Maybe the average tall basketball player has more incentive to work on his game, but what you're saying simply isn't true, ESPECIALLY 1 on 1. A decent speed advantage can be much more deadly if used properly and more so than in a team setting where angles are a bigger factor.
You are wrong, sorry.
Put a short guy against a tall guy and the tall guy just backs down the little guy into the post. The tall guy woudn't need a whole lot of skill to do so either, just a strength advantage.
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
The first guy in the video, Matt Tomaszewski, played at Syracuse (walk-on, I believe) and is 6'8".
Yeah the first guy was the only one who gave him any kind of a challenge and he looked to be an inch or two shorter. But not nearly as big in terms of build. Scal looks like a MAN compared to these boys he's playing.
The third guy fought him a lot harder than the score indicated. He was the only guy who could occasionally generate open looks for himself. His shots just weren't falling.
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7qFRkvGCc
(http://blog.masslive.com/sports_impact/2008/10/large_celts%20banner%20102808.jpg)
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
That's unbelievably false. One of biggest misconceptions in sports. Maybe the average tall basketball player has more incentive to work on his game, but what you're saying simply isn't true, ESPECIALLY 1 on 1. A decent speed advantage can be much more deadly if used properly and more so than in a team setting where angles are a bigger factor.
You are wrong, sorry.
Put a short guy against a tall guy and the tall guy just backs down the little guy into the post. The tall guy woudn't need a whole lot of skill to do so either, just a strength advantage.
Because you say so? You have no evidence for this whatsoever.
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
That's unbelievably false. One of biggest misconceptions in sports. Maybe the average tall basketball player has more incentive to work on his game, but what you're saying simply isn't true, ESPECIALLY 1 on 1. A decent speed advantage can be much more deadly if used properly and more so than in a team setting where angles are a bigger factor.
You are wrong, sorry.
Put a short guy against a tall guy and the tall guy just backs down the little guy into the post. The tall guy woudn't need a whole lot of skill to do so either, just a strength advantage.
Height is a huge advantage in basketball, but it doesn't trump all other physical attributes or skills. There are defensive tricks that one can use to stop a bigger guy who is just trying to back his way into the post against you.
If he's got more than a foot on you and even a little basketball skill, then you are definitely fighting an uphill battle, but I know from personal experience that players who are taller, but slower and less skilled, can be beaten by shorter players in a game of one on one.
-
Couple things.
1. This was more of a fun contest than anything. Scal wasn't proving critics wrong. It was a fun bit he basically did with Toucher and Rich.
2. I don't think any contestants thought they had a prayer. It was more of a story to tell and a fun chance to play one on one. I griefs to get my buddy who played d3 but he wasn't into it. Although he did have a strategy if he were to play him.
Also people talking about a height advantage. There was a 10 second shot clock so its not like he could really take hos time. Anyone who doesn't.think Scal is that good is an idiot.
And im sure smaller scrubs like Gabe Pruitt would abuse these guys too. Same with a 45 year old dana barrows
-
i think it would be only the "casual fan" who could've truly believed scal was not a good basketball player.
u don't make it that far / get paid millions if you can't play the game - regardless of your physical appearance.
anyone who's actually played at any kind of high school / college level or higher would know scal (and anyone in the NBA) can really play - maybe just not be really great against each other.
-
he got paid millions to pay basketball and was judged by nba standards...no kidding he can destroy guys off the street
-
ha!
No question Scal is much better than any of those guys, but if a dude at the gym played me like Scal was playing them, I'd probably get chippy in a hurry. Look at those hand checks. Look at those ugly bumps in the post.
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
That's unbelievably false. One of biggest misconceptions in sports. Maybe the average tall basketball player has more incentive to work on his game, but what you're saying simply isn't true, ESPECIALLY 1 on 1. A decent speed advantage can be much more deadly if used properly and more so than in a team setting where angles are a bigger factor.
You are wrong, sorry.
Put a short guy against a tall guy and the tall guy just backs down the little guy into the post. The tall guy woudn't need a whole lot of skill to do so either, just a strength advantage.
Height is a huge advantage in basketball, but it doesn't trump all other physical attributes or skills. There are defensive tricks that one can use to stop a bigger guy who is just trying to back his way into the post against you.
If he's got more than a foot on you and even a little basketball skill, then you are definitely fighting an uphill battle, but I know from personal experience that players who are taller, but slower and less skilled, can be beaten by shorter players in a game of one on one.
I'd bet almost any PG or SG in the NBA could beat any PF or C in a game of 1 on 1. Height's main advantage comes from rebounding (which isn't even always true, see Faried, Rodman, Rondo, Kidd), and there wasn't even any of that in the Scallenge. Nor did he back down the competition ONCE, and the only post shot he took within 5 feet was off a spin move (jump hook that he missed).
Ballhandlers that were much quicker than Scals couldn't get past him, what chance would a bigger guy have getting to the rim?
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
That's unbelievably false. One of biggest misconceptions in sports. Maybe the average tall basketball player has more incentive to work on his game, but what you're saying simply isn't true, ESPECIALLY 1 on 1. A decent speed advantage can be much more deadly if used properly and more so than in a team setting where angles are a bigger factor.
You are wrong, sorry.
Put a short guy against a tall guy and the tall guy just backs down the little guy into the post. The tall guy woudn't need a whole lot of skill to do so either, just a strength advantage.
Height is a huge advantage in basketball, but it doesn't trump all other physical attributes or skills. There are defensive tricks that one can use to stop a bigger guy who is just trying to back his way into the post against you.
If he's got more than a foot on you and even a little basketball skill, then you are definitely fighting an uphill battle, but I know from personal experience that players who are taller, but slower and less skilled, can be beaten by shorter players in a game of one on one.
I'd bet almost any PG or SG in the NBA could beat any PF or C in a game of 1 on 1. Height's main advantage comes from rebounding (which isn't even always true, see Faried, Rodman, Rondo, Kidd), and there wasn't even any of that in the Scallenge. Nor did he back down the competition ONCE, and the only post shot he took within 5 feet was off a spin move (jump hook that he missed).
Ballhandlers that were much quicker than Scals couldn't get past him, what chance would a bigger guy have getting to the rim?
I have no doubt you'd lose that bet 90% of the time.
The only chance a much-shorter player has against a much-taller player is that his shot is falling and the big guy's isn't. (That and get the game to be a make-it-take-it so the smaller guy can just keep shooting).
I'm 5'5" and (in my prime) could shoot the lights out and played a bunch of guys who were a heck of a lot taller than me. I did win some but those guys didn't worry about me blocking their shots nor about me grabbing any rebounds anywhere near them. Basically I had to hit almost every shot and hope they missed when they shot. it's not impossible but a shorter guy is at a significant disadvantage.
Scal, at 6'9", has a big advantage over any Joe Schmo he plays because he's much taller and he's capable of hitting jumpshots -- particularly when he doesn't have to worry about being blocked
-
Just a question, were any of the dudes that played against him even close to his height?
One thing I've learned is, when dealing with average ball players (the kind you'd find at the park), a heighth disadvantage is almost impossible to deal with 1v1.
Scal is a legit 6'9" isn't he?
That's unbelievably false. One of biggest misconceptions in sports. Maybe the average tall basketball player has more incentive to work on his game, but what you're saying simply isn't true, ESPECIALLY 1 on 1. A decent speed advantage can be much more deadly if used properly and more so than in a team setting where angles are a bigger factor.
You are wrong, sorry.
Put a short guy against a tall guy and the tall guy just backs down the little guy into the post. The tall guy woudn't need a whole lot of skill to do so either, just a strength advantage.
Height is a huge advantage in basketball, but it doesn't trump all other physical attributes or skills. There are defensive tricks that one can use to stop a bigger guy who is just trying to back his way into the post against you.
If he's got more than a foot on you and even a little basketball skill, then you are definitely fighting an uphill battle, but I know from personal experience that players who are taller, but slower and less skilled, can be beaten by shorter players in a game of one on one.
I'd bet almost any PG or SG in the NBA could beat any PF or C in a game of 1 on 1. Height's main advantage comes from rebounding (which isn't even always true, see Faried, Rodman, Rondo, Kidd), and there wasn't even any of that in the Scallenge. Nor did he back down the competition ONCE, and the only post shot he took within 5 feet was off a spin move (jump hook that he missed).
Ballhandlers that were much quicker than Scals couldn't get past him, what chance would a bigger guy have getting to the rim?
I have no doubt you'd lose that bet 90% of the time.
The only chance a much-shorter player has against a much-taller player is that his shot is falling and the big guy's isn't. (That and get the game to be a make-it-take-it so the smaller guy can just keep shooting).
I'm 5'5" and (in my prime) could shoot the lights out and played a bunch of guys who were a heck of a lot taller than me. I did win some but those guys didn't worry about me blocking their shots nor about me grabbing any rebounds anywhere near them. Basically I had to hit almost every shot and hope they missed when they shot. it's not impossible but a shorter guy is at a significant disadvantage.
Scal, at 6'9", has a big advantage over any Joe Schmo he plays because he's much taller and he's capable of hitting jumpshots -- particularly when he doesn't have to worry about being blocked
More talk without any substance.
We see guys beating players a foot taller than them every day in the NBA. That's when they're sitting at the rim waiting for them, try pulling them 24 feet away. NBA PGs are among the fastest people on earth, what makes you think PF/Cs have the lateral movement to stay with them, let alone consistently? Likewise, who has the range and ballhandling to keep those much faster hands honest?
For the record, the shortest guy was the only one to block Scalabrine.
If height was so unstoppable why isn't it a league of 5 seven footers vs 5 seven footers? They could surely beat any other shorter guy vying for a scholarship.
-
i think it would be only the "casual fan" who could've truly believed scal was not a good basketball player.
u don't make it that far / get paid millions if you can't play the game - regardless of your physical appearance.
anyone who's actually played at any kind of high school / college level or higher would know scal (and anyone in the NBA) can really play - maybe just not be really great against each other.
Ever watch Pros vs Joes? All those guys were really good at high school athletics, and just thought they never got the right chance, or it was all politics, etc. Same thing watching things like the And1 tour, or the EBC, or whatever. Those guys really think they're that good.
I've definitely heard tons of guys think they got a raw deal. My coach didn't like me, it was all politics, the day I was supposed to get my one shot I sprained my ankle, they didn't want me because I was white (seriously have heard that excuse), etc.
I think more than just the casual fan thinks they're good enough (or were good enough) to make the NBA, just nobody ever game them a chance.
Completely wrong, but hey most people think very highly of themselves.
-
Scalabrine is a scrub, but he's an NBA scrub. I know the difference and would never challenge him to a game of 1 on 1 and expect to win. Any fan who doesn't understand that doesn't understand just how good NBA players are.
-
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/01/22/toucher-richs-scallenge-no-challenge-for-brian-scalabrine/
Worth a watch.
Good to see a (former) Celtic winning for a change.
Love it. Good for Scal. Dudes were pretty tiny though.
-
Scalabrine is a scrub, but he's an NBA scrub. I know the difference and would never challenge him to a game of 1 on 1 and expect to win. Any fan who doesn't understand that doesn't understand just how good NBA players are.
Exactly.
.0000000000000000001% of the people on the world are good enough at basketball to play in the NBA.