NBA’s ‘Worst Ever Player’ Took On Three Amateurs in Never-Before-Seen Challenge
A former NBA player once ridiculed as one of the league's 'worst ever' has now taken on three amateurs in a challenge never seen before.
The NBA has produced some of the most iconic figures in sporting history, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
They have all become household names through their remarkable achievements, winning multiple championships across their decorated careers.
However, one player who developed a reputation for being among the worst in the NBA was Brian Scalabrine.
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He was criticised for being a bench warmer and averaged just 3.1 points per game during his time in the league.
Fadeaway World labelled him the 'worst player in the league,' while LostNUnbound included him in a video highlighting the six worst players in NBA history.
Despite that, he played in the league for 11 years and was part of the Boston Celtics team that lifted the championship in 2008.
And in 2013, after continued criticism for his bench role, he famously responded: "I'm closer to LeBron than you are to me."
To put that theory to the test, The Toucher and Rich Show invited volunteers to take on Scalabrine.
The format was called the 'Scallenge', with the first player to score 11 points declared the winner.
Scalabrine eased past his first opponent, winning 11-3 in just a few minutes.
His second match proved even simpler as he claimed an 11-0 victory.
The third was similarly straightforward, finishing 11-3 to Scalabrine.
But that was not the end of the challenge.
Scalabrine then played a match against all three opponents and still won convincingly, winning the game 11-1.
Even after those performances, some fans still insisted they could beat him in a one-on-one.
Four years ago, a high school player challenged him, and he was so confident that he even bet his sneaker on the victory.
The teenager airballed his first shot, before Scalabrine came through to secure an emphatic 11-0 win.
Scalabrine may not have been one of the league's most productive players across his 11-year career, but maintaining a spot in the NBA for over a decade is still hugely impressive.
And the former pro made that clear in an interview with the New York Times.
“People don’t understand how a little bit nuts you have to be to sustain an NBA career,” Scalabrine said.
“Especially when you’re not that talented. You have to be ready. You have to be up for the fight. You have to be like that every day. And if you’re not, you lose your livelihood.”
Topics: NBA, Basketball
James Taylor