Brian Scalabrine: Most Valuable Ginger

Scalabrine is aback in uniform, and it’s up to him to prove he’s acceptable for added than befitting Kevin Garnett’s bank warm. (Check it out tonight: Garnett comes out, Scal “stretches” or “cheers,” again walks to the added end of the bench.) Sure, Rondo, Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are still tonight’s big dogs, but the fate of the final antagonism in L.A. may lie in Scal’s brindle hands. Here are six affidavit why I accept in him -- and you should, too.

He’s accommodating to yield one for the team: In January 2009, Scalabrine was benched afterwards accepting two concussions in three canicule ... and that’s not even the bisected of it. Scal has had so abounding concussions he was after diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. The man avalanche to the ground, usually harder and on his head, and gets appropriate aback out there on the court. That’s dedication.

He’s acceptable for aggregation morale: Even if on the bench, Scal is the aboriginal one up to acclamation on his teammates. There’s rarely a scowl on his face (unlike Kendrick Perkins, whose face seems to be arctic that way) and he’s consistently got a high-five ready. Accepting him aback in Celtics blooming is absolutely what the aggregation needs to annul the debilitating accident of Perk.

He’s open: Forget about aegis for a moment, and accede what Scal can do on the added ancillary of the court. You can bet that he’ll be larboard open, and who knows, if no one’s searching he ability acreage all those three-pointers that Ray Allen’s been missing.

He’s big: While Scalabrine may not be taller than Shelden Williams, the guy is bigger than him. ‘Nuff said.

He “could get beneath Odom’s skin”: According to Doc Rivers, Scalabrine may be the annihilation of Laker advanced Lamar Odom. Clashing ‘Sheed and Garnett, Scalabrine has affluence of abstruse fouls to spare.

He’s Scal: Boston admirers adulation him. Seeing his red hair in the bold is abiding to acclamation up any admirers devastated by Tuesday night’s loss.

So all of you Celtics admirers out there, put on your Big 3 (plus Rondo) jerseys. I will be watching at home with my dad, a accumulation of clutter food, and added affected rituals than I can list. For tonight, and tonight only, it may be my guy who comes through in the end -- and I just achievement you accompany me in chanting SCAL-A-BRI-NE.