Sorry if this has been posted already. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/players/02/14/first.person0220/index.html First Person Sam Cassell, Clippers Guard Erik Isakson/SI As told to Chris Mannix On having played for seven teams and having been traded six times I know it's part of the business. But the transition of moving, finding a place to live, sometimes buying all new clothes, that's tough. I look at it like if you're traded, somebody wanted you. And I've been in some blockbuster trades! I was traded for Charles Barkley, for Jason Kidd; for some pretty notable names. On learning last summer that he had been dealt from the Timberwolves to the Clippers I didn't feel anything at all. I didn't know if this team was serious about winning or if it was happy being in the lottery every year. When I met with [coach] Mike Dunleavy, I asked if he wants to win. He told me that's why he wants me here, to make him and this team a winner. Before that I was like the rest of the league, I thought this organization didn't care about winning. On the Clippers being Los Angeles's "other" team They've got a lot of history on the other side of town. I don't know that we can surpass [the Lakers] in the national mind. It's going to take more than one winning season, that's for sure. On the titles he won with Houston as a rookie in 1993-94 and again the following year They mean so much more to me now. Coming into this league, I didn't understand the importance of winning titles. I never thought it was easy. We had some tough battles with the Knicks and the Magic -- O.K., the one against the Magic was kind of easy -- but the first one wasn't. I was treated in my first couple of years, and I haven't been back since. On playing at Baltimore's powerful Dunbar High, which has won 10 state titles since 1993 Unbelievable competition. We had guys who were the 10th or 11th men on the team who could have been starters at other schools in the city. Some guys had to wait two or three years just to get out on the court. On how the NBA has changed The game is easier now than when I came in. Back in the day it was rough, more physical. It's not like that now. On his basketball future Two more years. That's how much longer I want to play. I'm 36, and I'm still at a high level. I feel good. I wouldn't mind staying in L.A., but if not, I'd like to go back to Houston, where I live [he's single] in the off-season. On being a basketball junkie I don't have many hobbies. But I love watching basketball. NBA or college, it doesn't matter. I watch random games all the time. Seriously, if you know someone that wants to talk basketball, tell them to come holler. CASSELL AVERAGES 17.8 POINTS AND SINKS 42.4% OF HIS THREE-POINTERS FOR THE 30-19 CLIPPERS Issue date: February 20, 2006
When is he a free agent? I could see him coming back here on a Vet Min. to be a backup or even a 3rd string PG of ours. He would have fun with Alston as his mate, at least I would think so
SAm is a free agent next year...I think it is Unrestricted...but Im not sure on that and its late. I would love to have Sam back as the sparkplug off the bench..he is still playing at a pretty good level, but I just love the way that Rafer is running the team right now, and just think he could get better than he is now.
I can't remember what his contract looks like. How much and how long? If he's gonna be a free agent, it might be possible. But I doubt we'd ever make a trade for him. We'd have to give up too much. The way Rafer is playing, I'd prefer Rafer for sure. Then if we bring over Spanu the Greek over (sp? ), then he sounds promising but he definately wouldn't want to come over as a third stringer. Didn't he say he wants to start?
Sam will be a free agent this summer. I'd love to bring him back and stick him in our PG rotation with Rafer. But he's always felt that he's underpaid, so I don't expect to get him on the cheap. And I can't imagine that the Clippers would let him go that easily. He's been amazing this year, and he's surely worth more than the MLE which is all we could offer.
Well, everybody complains we need that 3rd scoring option. Cassell knows it too. We'd be a legit contender. Problem is Cassell is not a bench player. He deserves more minutes than that esp since Rafer is obviously perfect for us (at least for now). I'm not sure how I feel about Cassell coming here as he would stifle our offense like Mike James did (vs Rafer).
good points on both hands. As much as I would like it, with our current team and the way they are starting to gell...Sam would not get the minutes he deserves at this point. Im unsure that Sam could demand MLE+ at his age...unless it was a short deal.
well if he wants to finish his career in houston and be part of yet another championship run with houston, then why not take a little less playing time. hes smart and he knows how huge it would be to have him come off the bench i myself would LOVE to see cassell and horry back in houston...pipe dream. let them both finish their careers here.
I would love to have ET back. He could play the exact same role he played during our championship years. A spark off the bench who plays big in crunch time. It would be perfect.
yeah he just mentioned he would like to play for two more years wouldnt it be ironic if Sam I Am won two championships his first two years in the league and his last two years in the league. It would be the perfect ending to the ET story. I dont think he would mind coming off the bench for someone that is playing very well (Rafer) and that way he could save his strength for the 4th quarter when we need him the most. Sam won two championships at the beginning of his career lets give him two more at the end of his career here in Houston. J
I would love it if Sam and Horry played one last farewell season for the Rockets. That would be so cool...
Well, Van Gundy has commented on how little fire and passion this team displays on a consistent basis...Cassell definitely adds that, whether he's on the bench or on the floor. Don't know how HAPPY he'd be with such a reduced role, but I could never say no to Cassell.
Okay, so here's my ultimate Rockets wet dream. Next year, Yao and T-Mac are finally healthy. We finally make the big next step. We beat the flagging Spurs. We go to the NBA Finals. In the Finals, the Rockets are propelled to victory by their super-subs, a couple of guys signed in the off-season for their very final years: Sam Cassell and Robert Horry. How sweet would that be? To once again have Cassell and Horry on a championship Rockets team, bridging the gap from one generation to the next? Oh, baby. I've got goosebumps just thinking about it.
