"I had to guard Kevin Garnett in practice" - Brian Scalabrine talks about taking on guys who thought they could beat him one one-on-one

scal

Brian Scalabrine never looked the part of an NBA player. A 6'9", 240-pound forward who won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008, most often looked at the former USC standout's physique and lack of athleticism and immediately formed opinions about him as a player.

However, Scalabrine's story is a testament to the adage that looks can be deceiving. Despite initial perceptions, he carved out a fruitful 11-year career in the NBA. He earned the nickname "The White Mamba" for his rare but memorable offensive explosions. Even in his post-retirement phase, with a lot of time on his hands, the native of Long Beach, California, didn't shy away from proving his mettle against those who doubted him.

Tried to find the best pickup games

Scalabrine is a hoop head through and through. When his NBA career ended in 2012, he was only 33 years old, which meant he was still spry enough to get out on the court and hold his own against some of the best amateur talent across the country. He frequented local pickup games, looking for competition and a chance to showcase his skills. And boy, did he make an impression.

"I went to New York, Philly, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, LA, and I just went and played like the best pickup runs to see, in my opinion, where the best pickup is. I was doing that, and I was doing a radio interview back here in Boston," Scal said on Rachel Demita's podcast.

For Scalabrine, basketball was more than just a game. Whether playing in runs against former and current pros at Temple, Villanova, or the local YMCA, he found immense joy in the sport he loved most. It didn't matter who he was facing; he gave it his all on the court, always walking away with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

"I did that and was just talking on the radio, and I also played in YMCA games and everything like that. I just came off a pretty good game; I had 65 in one of the games. It was like a good work, a good day for Wednesday, right?" Scal continued.

Misguided comments

As it often is on the Internet, people will always think they're good enough to take on seasoned pros. Most fans fail to consider that even the last guys on an NBA bench are so skilled and talented that they would dominate in almost any other basketball league. This misconception is often fueled by the belief that NBA players are only as good as their playing time when, in reality, their skills and abilities are honed through years of rigorous training and competition.

But even with this knowledge, there's always someone who thinks they can beat the pros. Scal remembers one instance when a high schooler talked trash and challenged him to a one-on-one game.

"Someone started coming at me like, 'Oh my God, I'd smoke you.' I was like, 'That's interesting, why would you think that?' In my mind, it's ridiculous for you to think that, but I'll give you credit," the "Ginger Ninja" remarked. "And they were like, 'Oh, well, you're too slow.' I go, 'Well, I'm slow next to like Russell Westbrook, but not next to you, bro, I'm not slow next to you.'"

It's safe to say that Scal's opponent didn't fare well in the challenge, as the former NBA vet crushed him 11-0. The writing was on the wall; after all, Scalabrine spent years practicing against ferocious competitors like Kevin Garnett. Compared to that, anything else would be a cakewalk.

"What do you want me to say? I've been playing in the NBA for 11 years. Do you think I'm really scared of a rando I don't know? I had to guard Kevin Garnett in practice. Think about that for one second," Scal shared.

This tale is an eye-opener to the skill level of every NBA player. Just because he's spending a lot of time on the bench or only gets minutes in garbage time doesn't mean he's any less skilled than the league stars. Scalabrine may have been known as a "benchwarmer" during his time in the NBA, but this story proves he was still a formidable and talented player.