Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Los Angeles Clippers officially waived Sam Cassell today.
The Celtics have been rumored for several weeks to a top candidate to sign the 15-year NBA veteran.
“After weighing all of the options and after conversations with Sam we believe this is the best solution for this team,” Clippers vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor said in a press release. “We know and appreciate the many contributions Sam made during the last three years, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
In 38 games played this season, Cassell averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 25.7 minutes per game. In his 15th NBA season, Cassell had missed the last four games with a sprained right wrist while missing 12 games earlier in the season with a strained left calf.
Cassell averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists in 2005-06 when the Clippers came within one game of the Western Conference Finals. During the Clippers’ 2006 Playoff run, Cassell averaged 18.0 points, 5.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 33.7 minutes in 12 games played.
The 6-foot-3 185 pound point guard has played with both Kevin Garnett (in Minnesota, 2003-05) and Ray Allen (in Milwaukee, 1998-2003). Cassell was an second-team All-NBA selection in 2003-04.
He won an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets as a rookie in 1993-94 and another in 1994-95..
OK, i had the chance to attend the recent Celtics game vs the Cleveland Cavs. Not a bad game, however i was totally disgusted by the fan's behavior in Boston. Why Why Why was Wally Szerbiack booed and treated disrespectfully upon his return to the Garden? Wally was a good guy. Had no problems with anyone he's a class act. He doesn't beat his wife, cover himself with tatoos(like Iverson), smoke marijuana,(like everyone else in the league), carry firearms, (like telfair), listen to rap music(like everyone), cheat on his wife (like kobe) snort cocaine and die (like dennis johnson).... What's the problem Boston?? Wally is the epitome of classiness. Don't boo him. Save it for the rest of the losers in this league. Lets grow up C's fans
Not that I am above anyone or anything, BUT as a true Basketball and an NBA Fan I am GLAD to see that even former Celtic players are doing well. From Chancey Billups to Delonte West and Marcus Banks and now Wally Scerbiack. I am a Celtics fan first and foremost, but i am also a fan of GOOD Basketball. Go Celts current and former players.
Once again, can we give props to Danny Ainge?
People have been wanting his head for years because he traded stiffs like Antoine and let a terrible coach (but friend of the media) Jim O'Brien walk away. He gets ripped for trading Delonte, Wally and a draft pick that's done absolutely nothing in this league for Ray Allen. Then, when it turns out Allen is a key to acquiring Garnett, they say: "well, all you have is 3-old players and no depth."
Of course, Ainge knew all along that Rondo was gonna be a good one (refused to include him in any deal), signs a legit 6th man in Posey, a good role player in House, and has the evaluation capabilities to steal Big Baby in the 2nd round, a year after seeing the potential in Powe. So he develops the best team in the East, but he's not done yet.
Enter legit backup big man P.J. Brown, so now you can be patient with the young bigs and ride out their ups and downs because you're not dependant on them anymore (BTW, I think in a year Perkins will be the most expendable of the bunch...not impressing me at all, to be honest...Baby and Powe might be better players RIGHT NOW!)
And the cherry on top of the sundae, he sits out the Stoudamire tango, gambling that Cassell would become available. Sure enough, he's about to get a legit playoff difference maker, and a Robert Horry-type clutch performer, for nothing.
I'd say that's a damn good year, wouldn't you?