Just be thankful that he has been a good teammate and hasn't caused a disruption to the team when his role and playing time on this team diminished the way they did. I would say the great majority of players in the league would've been a quite negative presence in the locker room.
I don't mind Scal, and he seems like a good teammate, but I don't think he in any way deserves kudos for accepting his role, when he clearly is less talented than every player on the team that is getting time ahead of him.
You don't think Scal doing his job deserves kudos? As I mentioned, many others wouldn't have kept their mouths shut. The league is littered with 10th-15th men getting big minutes here and there, and I'm sure many of them would cause a ruckus when their roles and minutes is dimished. I think there's something to say about a guy that goes about his job. Many sportsmen have forgotten about doing their job, and act as if they were owed or entitled something.
Giricek this year quickly comes to mind. What about Zach Randolph and complaining because his coming off the bench, but still playing big minutes? What about Ben Wallace, one of the most inept offensive players in the league complaining about not being more involved in the offense? Tyrus Thomas? Chris Duhon?
There are just a decent amount of players causing trouble over nothing, and the reality of the NBA is that sometimes players that simply do their jobs as expected need to be applauded for doing so. We can't take their doing their job as expected for granted anymore in my opinion.
To echo what Brendan said, all of the players mentioned are better than Scal. I don't condone them complaining, but at least in some cases their gripes might be legitimate.
What basis does Scal have to complain? I mean, what would his argument be? Play me because ____________? Why? He's not nearly as talented as his teammates, relative to NBA standards. He's not more productive. His particular skill set isn't unique or irreplaceable. He plays good defense -- especially help defense -- but he's atrocious offensively, and is a poor rebounder. I've defended Scal plenty in the past, but the idea of him causing a stink because he isn't getting playing time is just ludicrous to me. He gets well-compensated to sit on the bench behind his more talented teammates. He's basically a poor man's M.L. Carr, in terms of role. There's nothing wrong with that, but I don't believe Scal needs any special recognition for doing what he should be doing.
Well, it's not that he deserves special treatment or anything... I was simply pointing out that we're lucky that he didn't make a big deal out of it when many around the league would have. It doesn't matter if they'd have a valid arguement or not, the simple fact that people want to play regardless of the conditions is what is important.
Feelings get hurt, self-esteems get hurt, and egos arise. Many others in Scal's position would've caused some locker room trouble, and that's all I'm saying... that I'm glad that Scal was a good little trooper and kept his mouth shut in a situation were many wouldn't have.
Regardless of what some people around here think, Scal can still play in this league, and I'm sure he could've had a decent productive role in countless teams around the league, sadly there's no room for Scal here, and the simple matter of him not being able to get on the floor when he's capable of and healthy to do so might've caused someone else to lash out at people. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying go to the guy and give him some award or something, but we have to recognize at the least that he didn't cause trouble in a position where many others would have.
But whatever, this is a crappy thing to discuss. I'll just say that if he would've been one of those who complained people around here would have made it a big deal. So to me, that he didn't do it showed character and I recognize it.
