Player profile: Sam Cassell
This is the fourth in a series of profiles for all 16 players on the current Celtics roster. We’ll profile at least one player each day leading up to the season opener. Sam Cassell
 Sam Cassel handled the ball against the Lakers in the 2008 NBA FInals. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) |
Born
: Nov. 18, 1969
Height: 6 feet 3 inches … Weight: 193
College: Florida State
Years pro: 15
Acquired: Signed with Celtics in May, 2008
2008/2009 salary: $1.26 million
Signed through: This season (guaranteed contract)
Last year’s numbers: 7.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 rpg in 17 games with Boston.
Strengths: Experience. Cassell knows the game, having played with 8 teams in his 15-year career. He won two championships with the Houston Rockets in 1995-96 and picked up his third title with the Celtics last season. Cassell also possesses a strong jump shot for a point guard, developing a reputation as someone opponents cannot leave open from deep.
Weaknesses:It’s no secret the 38-year-old is a step slower than he once was (Doc Rivers said this preseason that it’s actually several steps). Cassell’s age makes him a liability on defense. And while his offense should be his strength, the veteran never grasped Boston’s system last season after joining the team right before the playoffs. For all his experience, Cassell was such a liability that he averaged only 10 minutes per game in the Finals against the Lakers, despite the fact that he was the only other true point guard on the Celtics roster.
What to expect: Cassell would be the betting man’s choice to be the player cut by the Celtics before the Oct. 27 deadline (he’s currently running away with our Boston.com poll). He’s got a guaranteed deal and says he wants to play for one more season before becoming an assistant coach, but the Celtics could make that decision for him a year early. When asked if Cassell could be an assistant coach and not a player when the season starts, Rivers said, “I don’t know yet. We’ll see.” If Cassell makes the roster, he could still be used to spell Rajon Rondo in very limited minutes during the season.
Check back tomorrow for another player profile, and give us your expectations for Cassell in our comments section.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com