In preparation for the upcoming season, John and I will examine all the players on the Celtics roster and offer up opinions on what we should and should not expect from them in 2009/10. We begin with:
Brian Scalabrine
Last year's stats: 5.1 ppg, 0.5 apg, 1.3 rpg, 0.2 spg, fg% 42.1, ft% 88.9%
Projected Stats:
John: 2.5 ppg, 0.5 apg, 1.0 rpg, 0.1 spg, fg% 43.5, ft% 85.0
Chuck: 3.3 ppg, 0.9 apg, 1.5 rpg, 0.2 spg, fg% 39, ft% 80
What will help him the most?
John: The need to reduce Kevin Garnett's minutes and his familiarity with Doc's system. Scal has been in one of those weird spots over the past couple of seasons where he could go from DNP-CD to starter in back to back games. With KG's minutes very likely under heavy management, Scal could pick up a few minutes here and there. And there are some questions still to be answered with Doc when it comes to KG... like how will he be handled on back-to-back nights. If the Celtics decide to put heavy constraints on KG in situations like that, Scal could be a go-to guy before, say, Shelden Williams.
Chuck: Doc and Danny love his effort, toughness and basketball IQ. But that will only take him so far on this roster. Since the Celtics are one of the best teams in the league, we can expect them to have many wins locked up by the 3rd quarter. This means more minutes for Scal. Barring a major injury, this is the only way I see him getting significant court time because Doc simply has better options i.e. Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis.
What will hurt him the most?
John: The arrival of Rasheed Wallace. If all goes according to plan, Scal is cleaning up in blowouts. Between KG, Sheed, Perk, Baby and Marquis Daniels... there's no time for Scal at the 4 or at the 3. Of course, foul trouble and injury changes everything... but Scal is the 3rd option at both positions right now.
Chuck: John's right, there's just too much depth on the bench.
Burning Question: Is Scal done with the Celtics after this year?
John: Not unless he likes it here he comes back for the veteran minimum (which, for him, will be $1.2 million). Let's face it: he's not worth more than that, but he was actually productive last year when pressed into service. I see no harm in tucking a guy like Scal away for minimum wage and using him in a "break glass in case of emergency" situation.
Chuck: Not necessarily, but he'd have to be willing to take a 67% pay cut. Remember, Doc and Danny love his effort and smarts. But if he has any more issues with concussions, I'd expect the team to move on.