THis was the very last page of the new Hoop magazine for this month, couldnt find an internet link, so I am going to type it out for you guys: Dear Sam, How's it feel? I told you way back when that everything begins to ache in your 30's, every part of your body. I told you, didn't I? And I told you that's why we needed you bad in '95. We needed your exuberance off the bench. Me, Maxwell, Dream -- We weren't going to have many more opportunities to win. And I hadn't won one like they had. And I'm told there's no sight like the sight of me and my championship ring. Without you, maybe we don't get by Utah or Phoenix that year. Down 3-1 at Phoenix and 2-1 in a best of five with Mailman and Stockton? We needed everybody. You voluntered your energy, which is exactically what we needed against the Admiral in the West Finals and against Barkley and KJ, and Dan Marlje in the semis. You were a gamebreaker and, without question, that title still stands. I wish I knew why more people don't talk about you as a great point guard, Sam. Send them my way. I'll talk their ears off because, of the 1s playing today, you're in the top three. You get everyone their touches, play tough D, and I'm convinced you could score 30 a night if you were asked. While everyone else is firing blanks from three-point land, you're buying the 15-20 footers all night long, which is partly why your shooting percentage isnt in the 30s like some guys. The other part is the fact that, like all great offensive players, you take what you want, whether it's driving to the goal or stopping on a dime. Best of all, you yearn for the spotlight, and by that I mean the big game, not the credit. Too many people have lost track of this simple fact: no bling blings as brightly as that ring. No Escalades, the rims on the Escalades, nothing. You're a competitos and I'm an old-school kind of guy, so I can appreciate that will to succeed collectively. You play whatever role that is neccessary. Buy you know what make you Sam I Am? You know what I miss most? That smile, man. That smile and that passion for the game. You've never had a bad day. The NBA's a business with millions trading hands all the time, and man, you just go about your own business. Plain and simple, the League needs more Sam Cassells. I salute you, old friend. Take good care and thanks for being a ray of light. Sincerely, Clyde Drexler Clyde is the man, what a good hearted guy!
Too much of a lovefest there, but nice read. Frankly, I never liked Clyde as a player, I just never got used to the way he played for some reason. But anyways, valid points throughout by Drexler, except for the "great D" part, that is a bit overstated I would say Regardless, Cassell can be had by the Rockets this off-season if he is: 1) Sick of the cold weather in Minny 2) Wants to come back home to finish off his career 3) Not looking for money at this point (which I think he still is, since he already has the rings) 4) Wouldn't mind taking the vet min to play for the Rox Just a suggestion
this brings a tear to my eye, thanks for taking thetime to post it! why arent the Rockets saluting the '95 team officially this year? we need to see Clyde, Sam, and Dream back together again for some motivation going into the playoffs...
Drexler is a class act. I got a chance to say what's up to him at the airport a few years ago and got an autograph. Cassell was a huge part of those championship teams and I was really upset when he got traded to bring CB in.
Do you think this summer, Minnesota would still do the Sam for Juwan trade that was rumored to have been in play at the trade deadline? If we sign SAR and draft a banger at PF (or if the Badman is ready for the NBA), then we could easily afford to part with Juwan and his remaining four years on his deal for Sam (who will be in the last year of his contract).
Nobody will take Juwon Howard in a trade unless we take another long term deadweight contract in return. He will likely be a Rocket next year.
<------Number 1 DREX fan But guys you're overlooking the point that Clyde maybe trying to get Sam to go play in Denver, if Kiki wants it done who's better to prime Sam for it??
Wow, nice read. Really brings back some GREAT memories from those past teams. But the point of that article can also apply to this current Rockets team. What Drexler is saying is that Sam being a spark plug off the bench was key for that team. That youth, athelticism and energy was a big boost. That's the same things we need to add to our current team right now. We need that off the bench. We need to add some young players to grow with Tmac and Yao. CD/JVG have done a great job on the run of acquiring players during the season to fit in with the new Tmac/Yao Rockets. But we really start building this summer with the draft and the MLE and then again next summer. These next two years is when we can add young/quality players to our Tmac/Yao foundation which will be the core of our team to fight for a championship for many years to come.
Always loved Sam always will. Would be great to get him back. Nick Van Exel reminds me of Sam, probably why I would love for the Rockets to take a shot at him. However, you sign NVE with the playoffs in mind because you know he kicks it up a few notches. He's got that killer instinct that we sorely need. I'd bet Mac would love playing with him.
Its things like this that baffle me as to why Drexler wasn't a better college coach. Maybe if he rededicated himself and came back with a more hands on approach, cause there is no questioning his understanding of the game and his relationship with his players/teammates.
They are both on there down sides even though I now know Jhow is injured I wouldnt go back and trade him for Sam because we just had no idea that he would go down, its just so unthinkable that he cant play now not because of the leg but because of his heart man that is like what are the odds 1 in 1100 that would happen, but I dont think Sam is the player we needed this year he wouldnt have put us over the hump I like the pickup of James better (long term I mean anyways and we game up Gaines and a 2 nd rounder).
I was reading something awhile back that said great players often make bad coaches because their levels of expectations are to high and they can't adjust their attitudes to players who aren't as good or as motivated as they were. Drexler as a player was amazing but when dealing with college kids couldn't get them to play like him because they just didn't have his ability and he didn't know how to give it to them.
Thanks for posting that. My favorite part That's what some fans and players don't get, imo. At the end of the day, it's a game. I like to see players out there busting their asses and smiling every minute of it. Because even the worst day in the life of an NBA multimillionaire is better than the best day for 99% of the people out there. They're playing a kid's game, and getting paid for it. I want them to play hard, and with passion, but I like guys who show that they love the game. I never understood guys like Kenny Thomas who play with such a chip on their shoulder and a scowl on their face, but whatever it takes to motivate them I guess.
