http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/10299480.htm?1c Cassell relishes playing at crunch time BY MIKE WELLS Pioneer Press OAKLAND, Calif. — Timberwolves point guard Sam Cassell slouched in his chair inside the cramped locker room at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, but for the first time in a while, he didn't wear a look of frustration — and he didn't have to answer questions about why he wasn't on the court at crunch time. Cassell was on the court late against the Kings, displaying the swagger that made him arguably the Wolves' best fourth-quarter player last season. He scored a season-high 25 points, including 10 in the final 2:20, when the Wolves broke free in their 121-110 victory. Playing time has been hard to come by for Cassell, an all-star last season. He already has been replaced by Troy Hudson twice in the fourth quarter this season. And though he hasn't moped, he isn't shy about his feelings. "I need to be in the game come winning time," he said. "I thrive on those situations." Cassell's minutes have gone from 35 a game last season to 27.8 this season, fourth on the team. In seven games he has played less than 30 minutes. "Playing 22, 23 minutes a night, that's not a comfortable situation for me," he said. "I haven't done that in so long. It's definitely a situation I'm not familiar with. "I'm at my best when I'm attacking. I just have to continue to attack and attack. If coach doesn't like it, he's going to have to take me out of the game. I just have to be in my attack mode." Cassell is in a tough position. He was counted on to score last season, but the Wolves don't need as much scoring from him now because they are healthier. He has gotten his shooting percentage up to almost 44, but it still is his lowest since the 1998-99 season. Bad shotts and trying to get teammates involved are part of the reason behind that. "I can't worry about who is not getting shots, I have to go with what got me successful last year; that was Spree and Kevin Garnett," Cassell said. "Everybody else has to get in where they fit in at. That's not selfish. I'm the quarterback of the team, just like Peyton Manning is the quarterback of the Colts. Do you want him to change because you have better personnel or more personnel? I've been trying to make everything easy for everyone." Olowokandi update: The next step in center Michael Olowokandi legal proceedings is a Dec. 13 pretrial conference in Indianapolis, a Marion County court official said Monday. Olowokandi, arrested early Thanksgiving morning after refusing to leave a nightclub, must be present unless his attorney files a special motion. The Wolves are off Dec. 13. Olowokandi was arrested when he wouldn't leave Tiki Bob's at 3 a.m. Police had to use a stun gun on him twice to get him to leave. The Wolves suspended Olowokandi for two games, and he rejoined the team for Sunday's game at Sacramento. Briefly: Wolves vice president of operations Kevin McHale and Twins free-agent third baseman Corey Koskie will help distribute more than 2,000 beds to six local charities at Slumberland Furniture's distribution center in Little Canada on Wednesday. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- i sure hope he demands a trade! he can have all the minutes he wants down south!
It makes sense to me. Minny's got T.Hud and Sam is aging. Would we want to give up some qualites for Sam. I love his guts and shooting. I'll do it if all they ask is JJ or Howard.
You meant Nick the Fat, I am not happy, F the crap all of you Exel. Heck, why not, let's do it. Can we trade him with Dave Carr.
Not that they'd ever think of doing the deal, but Sam does make just under 6 mil this year. Which is why he's grousing for a new contract.
This probably won't happen. But what about a trade for D-Wade. Why not give Shaq T-Mac, Lue, and Nachbar for Wade, Shandon Anderson and others? If the teams don't work out this year why not make the move? Only problem I can see is that Wade's value has gone thru the roof while T-Mac's declined.
tbui are you kidding me! . That would be by far the dumbest move in the history of our franchise by far.
