WRONG http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cassell-going-game-2061358-finals-paul Thursday, June 5, 2008 Say it again, Sam: Celtics' Cassell delivers in Game 1 The NBA Finals veteran assesses the Celtics' victory and the Lakers' determination to fight back. By ART THOMPSON III The Orange County Register Comments 0 | Recommend 0 This is one of several conversations the Register plans to have during the NBA Finals with Boston Celtics guard Sam Cassell, who is returning to the Finals for the first time since he was part of back-to-back championships in 1994-95 with the Houston Rockets. BOSTON- It was a combination of intuition and assurance from Boston coach Doc Rivers, but Sam Cassell felt confident that he would receive quality minutes off the bench in Game 1 of the NBA finals. Cassell responded by scoring eight points in 13 minutes, contributing to the Celtics' 98-88 victory over the Lakers. Q: Did you know that you were going to be inserted into the game, as early as the start of the second quarter? Cassell: "I knew that I was going to play. This is the finals. I think that Doc is going to go with experience. He understands that I can get it done, that I have gotten it done. So far, so good right now. But it's just one game and we're at home, and we're supposed to win." Q: How would you assess your performance in the game? Cassell: "I just got opportunities to post up and make some plays for my team. We needed a lift. I got us going, a little bit, and the starters finished it off." Q: You've always said it doesn't matter if you miss 12 or shots in a row, that you have supreme confidence in your jump shot. Was that a factor for you tonight? Cassell: "I know that I can shoot. It's just getting the reps on this ball club. You have three terrific scorers in Ray (Allen), Paul (Pierce) and Ticket (Kevin Garnett). It's not tough to get a shot, but when you do get a shot, you have to be ready to knock it down." Q: What did you think when Paul (Pierce) went down? Cassell:"Paul is one of the toughest guys on our ball club and it's going to take something major to keep him out. When they picked him up, I said, 'Don't pick him up. Let him walk off.' That would have least given me hope that he'd come back. When he came back, I felt good seeing him out there. I think out team felt good seeing him trot on the court. And when he got back in the game, it was like he hadn't missed a minute. He scored at will." Q: What did you learn from the Lakers' performance tonight? Cassell: "They're not going away. They can run that triangle and in Game 2, they're going to run it even more. So, we've got our work cut out for us. But it's been like that for us this whole (postseason)." Q: What were you thinking in the second quarter, when Kobe Bryant had the ball and you were isolated defensively on him in a switch? You forced him into a charging foul. Cassell: "Well, I wasn't going to back down. Kobe's a great ballplayer. I just wanted to make it tough for him." Q: What is the significance of you wearing the number 28 for the Celtics? You've worn 10 for most of the previous teams that you've played for, although you wore No. 19, during your two-plus seasons with the Clippers. Cassell: "Everything equals 10. It was my grandmother's favorite number." Contact the writer: athompson@ocregister.com Ask Jordan Farmar <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CC_f69Fsrlg&hl=en"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CC_f69Fsrlg&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> anyone thinking Sam had a bad finals will get FACTS dropped on them. Like how Sam posted up Farmar/Fisher, draws charges from Kobe
Well looks like the Rockets are Courting Sam I AM. While Cassell has said he expects to return, a source close to the situation said Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas also have interest in his services. Bartelstein said the Celtics seem interested in bringing back another one of his clients, House, but other teams are interested as well. Bartelstein also said Pollard is recovering well from surgeries on both ankles that ended his season prematurely and still wants to play next season. http://www.boston.com/sports/basket...get/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Boston+Celtics+news
This is good news. It means one of Jackson or Brooks could be on the way out. Hopefully as part of a trade for Artest.
The time is now. Francis is a question mark, we need a backup. Sorry Aaron. At this point in your career your a gimmicky changeup type player with little else to offer other than a spark when the regulars come out flat. One extra guy to help keep Artest in check. We added size, shooting, athleticism, the wing player we needed, the 3rd scorer, the 3rd all-star caliber guy, we added just about everything in Artest and Barry. Leadership/experience role is still vacant (sorry Brent). Cassell is that guy.
yes, i think brooks will remain a reserve pg his whole career and id be very satisfied if he is able to do what bjax for kings and be explosive off the bench. therefore, by signing sam, he should be able to handle the offense incase alston gets hurt. also barry should be able to handle the offense if alston is hurt
Its his attitude and presence we could use more so than his skill set. And he simply didn't understand or fit the Celtics scheme. I wouldn't call 46%, 13ppg, and 5apg, in 25mpg, for the Clippers "done".
cassell has made it clear that once his playing days are done he would like to get into coaching because of his love for the game.... sign him on as a player and transition him into coaching ala charlie ward.
Oh hell yea!! This is our time. San Antonio had them, Miami had them, and Boston had them. RING HOES UNITE IN HOUSTON!!! Has Zoe already signed with the Heat?
Not surprised to see this thread bumped. Now that we have Artest let the anything-for-a-ring prostitutes start lining up.
I don't think he had a ring with 1 year with the lakers and than the next with the spurs or something like that.
Cassell and Horry are finished, we don't need them. I would rather let Francis rehab, get back into shape, and take over as the backup PG.
Loved Sam his first 2 seasons but he sux now, he looks so slow and held the Celtics back in the playoffs. He will take some stupid shots but we have enough offensive fire power. We need a PG that can run the offense not take jumpers one on one.
Shouldn't be a problem since I thnk CD gave him the lifetime contract. I've NEVER seen someone collect a paycheck for so long to just stay home.
