Despite averaging only 3.1 points per game, benchwarmer-turned broadcaster Brian Scalabrine, aka “The White Mamba,” was a fan favorite throughout his 11 NBA seasons, making the most of his limited athleticism over 520 career games for the Celtics, Bulls and Nets. The 6’9” forward was largely treated as a novelty, a red-haired, headband-sporting goof with a surprisingly smooth stroke (34.4-percent shooter from downtown). Scal even lucked into a championship, serving as a scarcely-used 12th man on Boston’s 2008 title squad.
Now serving as a color analyst alongside veteran play-by-play voice Mike Gorman on Celtics broadcasts for NBC Sports Boston, it’s been quite some time since Scalabrine put his hardcourt skills on display. But an opportunity arose this week when a local high-school player challenged Scalabrine to an impromptu pickup game. The two played to 11 with each putting their shoes on the line. Scal’s opponent showed occasional flashes, playing tight defense and even blocking a shot early on. But he was no match for the White Mamba.
Final score: 11-0. In the words of Omar Little, if you come at the king, you best not miss. Not that anyone expected different—a pro will beat a decent high-schooler every time, even if that player is a 43-year-old former backup. As a stretch four, you could make the argument Scalabrine would have been more successful in today’s perimeter-heavy NBA where low-post bangers in the mold of Shaquille O’Neal have become an endangered species.
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