They don't need Sam the 38 year old player - they need someone with his competative drive and desire to win leading them. That's what's missing in TMac, Yao, Alston. Howard sort of has it but at this stage of his career, he's really a marginal player. The only person on the team who truly possesses a burning desire to win is JVG and a coach can only do so much. To be a championship team, the players have to want it more than the coach and that is simply not the case here.
I love Sam I Am, but he clearly stated on "Inside the NBA" in he post-game interview with TNT last night that he "got to get paid! I won't ask for $25 mil, but I want some kind of million!" In my own estimation, Sam wants at least 7 mil for 2-3 years, or may be he would take the MLE for 3 years (similar to what Swift is getting) ONLY if he has a chance to come back and play in Houston (the hometown discount, so to speak), which he has expressed a desire to do. Seriously though, I firmly believe that if the Rockets offer Sam 3 years at the full MLE and sort of a gentleman's agreement that he would get a coaching position with the Rockets afterwards (assistant coach or something along those lines), he will DEFINITELY come back to play for us. He's STILL a highly productive player and barring serious injuries he will remain so for another 2 years at the min.
umm tinman, that was my point... only 2 more years. even if he is on our team, after those 2 years, we will be right back to where we started.
no. Tmac and Yao and the whole team would have 2 more years of valuable knowledge and teachings. Look at Brand and especially look at Shaun Livingston. One year under Sam and these guys are MUCH better than they were before. Brand suddenly has a great 'mid range' game. Livingston, suddenly is 'offensively aggressive'. Championship experience is invaluable. When Kenny interviewed Sam on his Sirius show, Sam mentioned how he proud he was of his mentoring of Brand and Livingston. I dont see Skip 2 my Lou showing Yao how to do AND 1 tricks helping the team win. I see Sam instilling confidence and swagger to the team! Lessons he learned from the Dream, Maxwell, Rudy T ERA. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/nbanews.asp?articleID=165693 Veteran Sam Cassell, who was acquired during last offseason in a trade with Minnesota, did his share as well. The 36-year-old guard contributed 14.6 points and 5.4 assists per game, while sophomore guard Shaun Livingston dished out a team-best 6.0 helpers per contest. Not only does Cassell's play on the court help, but his leadership and experience have proved to be a big asset. He has played in 108 postseason contests during his career and has won two championships as a member of the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995. Cassell and the 30-year-old Mobley, who has participated in 19 playoff contests during his career, were brought in to help the Clippers win when and if they reached the postseason. The mission was accomplished in the first round. "The pressure is on Sam (Cassell) and myself," said Mobley. "We came in to give these guys some experience. We said, 'Not to be afraid, take chances and not to be scared to make some mistakes.' Being aggressive put Denver on their heels, which is a good thing." Clippers' vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor got it right when he pieced this squad together. Brand is an excellent low-post player, while Maggette is explosive in the open court and center Chris Kaman, who averaged 9.8 points and 7.0 boards in round one, continues to develop and improve. Livingston is going to keep getting better and is the future starting point guard. By bringing in Cassell, Baylor helped the development of Livingston, while Mobley was the right fit as he is a versatile shooting guard who also adds valuable experience.
I'm sure Sam will come here if we can pay him...PAY HIM DAMN it!!!!.....lets bring Horry back too..heheheh
Rockets hero. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=65155 Nash,Cassell each other's biggest fan By Matt Paulson, Tribune May 10, 2006 Los Angeles Clippers point guard Sam Cassell has never won an MVP. But the past two seasons when the award winner has been announced, the 13-year veteran’s chest still has swelled with a sense of pride. Related Links Sports Although Cassell isn’t nearly as acclaimed as his Suns counterpart and ex-teammate, Steve Nash, the 13-year veteran knows he is partly responsible for the floppy-haired Canadian’s maturation into a two-time MVP, four-time All-Star and two-time assists champion. Nash and Cassell were both members of the Suns for a few months during the 1996-97 season. And while their time together was short — Cassell was dealt to Dallas on Dec. 26 after only 22 games with Phoenix as part of the Jason Kidd trade — Cassell’s tutelage facilitated shaping Nash into the player he is today. As a rookie, Nash was “a guy trying to find his way in this league,” Cassell, who immediately took the Santa Clara product under his wing, said Tuesday. “We used to have many talks right down there in that practice facility about basketball,” he said. “To me, he could always score. I said, 'Steve, to be successful, you’ve got to be the Steve at Santa Clara. . . You can’t be a guy who just looks to pass all the time.’ “(Off the dribble), he would beat his defender, but he would make passes around the basket that basically were turnovers. So once he realized that he could do that – ‘I’ve got a layup, I’ve got to take the layup,’ – when he started doing that, sky’s the limit for him. He just went from there.” Nash said that simply watching Cassell on the court also helped him become a more complete player. “(Cassell) helped me a lot. . . just seeing how he’s not the most athletic guy but he’s able with his skills and cleverness to find shots for himself,” said Nash, who could be described the same way. “He’d always talk to me. He was generous. I have great memories of Sam helping me.” And now Cassell has great memories of watching his one-time protégé from afar. “I’m a big fan of Steve,” he said. “No one ever thought he would be a two-time MVP. He got an opportunity to showcase what he can do, and he’s done it.”
when i said we would be right back to where we started, i was talking about our lack of a pg. 2 years with a pg and after he retires we would have no one like we currently have no one. what he can do for this team or any team is great and thats no question. again, no one is doubting his skills and leadership he still has at his age, I don’t think anyone is. Im just doubting how much longer he WILL play, im NOT doubting how much longer he CAN play.
im not doubting that if he joins the Rockets for 2 years, one or both of these years will result in CHAMPIONSHIPS.
thats exactly what i'm thinking and that way he can end his playing career in the place and in the way he started it
i love the idea of getting cassell but his age bothers me. he doesn't look like he's going to slow down anytime soon but after the nightmare that was last season i'm really paranoid about players with the potential to break down. if you think your window with t-mac in his prime is the next few years then cassell would be a huge pickup.
Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady bumps into Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale (R) as he is held away from Timberwolves Sam Cassell (not in photo) by referee Joe DeRosa (14) after an altercation during the first half of their NBA game in the Target Center in Minneapolis, March 20, 2005. Both McGrady and Cassell received double technical fouls for their shoving match. Rockets lost to Timberwolves 86-94.[Reuters] http://english.sohu.com/20050321/n224781066.shtml Does anybody remember this? Think they can coexist?
No, but i'm sure if TMAC or any superstar for that matter opposed a certain player coming in that it would surely make the gm/coach have second thoughts.
...but then again he (Sam I Am) closed by saying "I tell them, do what you do. Everybody on this team. Do what you do." Comments like that will not fly as a coach...at least for a coach who intends to be successful - save for a situation one is blessed with so much talent (veterans).
That's an overlooked part of the team dynamic. They always speak of, in the NFL for example, drafting a young QB and having the veteran QB to help "mentor" him in. Very rarely is that the case probably. What grown man getting paid and wanting the same position on the team willingly wants to help someone along like that? Sam actually shows that he doesn't mind taking someone under his wing and is happy to do is job. Even players that don't play his position he's helping out, very rare. That would be good to have on a team that says they don't really have a leader on the floor..... Me, I'd rather much play with a guy who's a proven winner and will help me out in my game than some young euro dude who might or might not be good. Sam would be more valuable than a Kidd or Payton in that way. PLUS, he has ties to the city. Would be back to finding someone in 2 years sure, but why not do that after a couple playoff appearances and maybe a finals appearance? Sam's one of the best "sure-thing" options out there. It'd be close to how the Astros brought in Pettitte.
So did Vince Young and look what happened. Les traded away Dream, pushed out Rudy T, refused to give an INNOCENT MAN his job back (Calvin) and dumped a cool mascot (Turbo) for a stupid Bear. Houston Teams have no love for their own heroes.
