On a Possible Alien Return
by Steve Weinman on Sep 13, 2008 12:00 PM EDT
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In the aftermath of Sam Cassell's recent proclamation that he'll be returning as a Celtic this season, there seems to be no shortage of members of the green faithful that are running for cover.
Given how Cassell played in his time in Beantown in 2007-08, it's hard to blame those who are doing so.
Too often, the guy had the effect of coming onto the floor as a one man wrecking crew. That would be in regards to wrecking the Celtics' chances of being productive during his stint on the court. He had the tendency to immediately kill ball movement by looking for his own shot and nothing else. The offense stagnated as Sam dribbled around looking for a good shot, and if it wasn't there, he often took a bad one. That he shot the ball fairly poorly as a Celtic didn't help him take any steps toward providing even an iota of justification for that sort of actions.
It was at times painful to watch this guy last season, and I'm as guilty of anyone as joining in the masses' frustration with him down the stretch in the playoffs.
Yet, all things considered, the thought of SamIAm returning to the fold doesn't bother me as much as it could.
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Yes, Cassell was awful in his brief stint for the Celts but that's part of the point: It was a brief stint. This is a guy who has played in this league for 15 years and been consistently more effective throughout that tenure than he was for 38 games as a Celtic. He has been a considerably more efficient shooter, and while he has always been a bit shot-happy, he has done a markedly better job at facilitating offenses over the course of his career.
Certainly, the fact that he is now 38 years old has contributed to a decline in his game, and he isn't getting any younger. It isn't fair to expect him to perform the way he did in the midst of his career. But he also isn't going to be asked to perform in the same role he did then either. Cassell was injured throughout much of last season and didn't join the Celtics until mid-March. It stands to reason that he could regain some of his past productivity simply from the benefits of coming into a season healthy and being a part of the mix and the team's schemes from day one.
Further, on a team facing many depth questions, it might not be so terribly bad to have the shot-happy Cassell around. The Celtics are very thin on proven offensive punch off their bench, and there are no shortage of concerns as to who will step up to add some scoring. SamIAm is the type of guy who can get hot anytime and really add a spark as a reserve. If he starts scoring, the points will come in bunches. It doesn't hurt to have that sort of guy at least available on the bench.
As for the fact that the Celtics already have 15 players under contract, early theory is that a return for Cassell would mean either an upcoming trade to cut the roster or that Darius Miles or Gabe Pruitt would eventually be shown the door. The mercurial Miles is as big a question mark as this team has. He has an awful injury history, a reputation as a long-time jerk, a lot of talent and very little NBA productivity to show for it. If he works hard right from the start and proves to the Celts that he deserves a shot as the back-up three, great. That would be a bonus. If he doesn't wow the front office brass with his work ethic immediately, well, there is a reason (many, actually) why his contract isn't guaranteed. Cutting him loose would be no surprise and no source of unpleasantness here.
As for Pruitt, it may be worth being wary of fixation with the unknown. Like many of this team's young players, Pruitt attracts interest because we don't know a lot about him. Since he wears green, the predisposition for many of us tends to be one of optimism. He is a 170-pound stringbean who can supposedly shoot the ball a little bit, and young talent often leads to thoughts of future glory. But we don't know if he can run a professional offense, defend at this level or even get his own shot. He's currently the only entity even close to a point guard on this roster after Rajon Rondo and Eddie House. Second-round picks aren't exactly guarantees in this league to begin with, and the proven Cassell could be of more value in the chase for another championship than Pruitt is if he isn't ready for the big-time this season. That being said, Jeff noted earlier this week that Ainge is very happy with Pruitt's progress at this point, so perhaps the youngster isn't going anywhere too quickly.
Finally, it bears remembering that the value of a Cassell signing has almost as much to do with Doc Rivers as it does with Cassell himself. The onus will be on Doc to pick his spots with the Alien, who isn't being brought in to be the big-time floor general he was earlier in his career. He is at this point a spot spark guy off the bench, and he is a guy who should be coming off the bench after Eddie House. House earned himself the reserve role with his commitment to this team throughout the season, his hustle in the playoffs and his unselfishness throughout the rotation flip-flopping with Cassell.
But that doesn't mean that Cassell couldn't be of value on a night when the team is struggling and needs some scoring spark off the bench. Or if House is having trouble against ball pressure, Rivers would have a proven superior ball handler off the bench for him. If Doc can use Sam in moderation, ride him when he is hot and yank him right away when he is clearly cold, he could turn Cassell into at least something of an asset for this team rather than a hindrance.
This isn't to say that bringing Sam Cassell back is definitively the way to go or that Gabe Pruitt or Darius Miles should necessarily be on their respective ways out. But having the old vet back in the fold might not be the catastrophe that it may seem in some eyes.
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I’m not too excited about a Cassell return either but you make a very convincing case for bringing in a veteran who can handle the ball. How quickly we forget the trouble Eddie House had at times with bringing the ball up against even moderate pressure. If Sam can come in to training camp healthy and can learn the sets, he might fit in better.
Man, someone find Bob Day. Getting the comment box to come up – while clearly logged in – is a real effort any more.
Anywho, excellent take as always, Steve. There’s a good Sam and a bad Sam, indeed. With that said, I welcome outside shooting in any form – and a veteran presence – on a woefully unproven bench.
And your point about falling in love with the unknown is VERY well taken. We’re overrun with the unknown and the wildly unproven off this bench, and any kind of veteran presence is welcome. It won’t hurt to take a look at what Sam’s still got.
I agree with Steve W. on this one. Sam could prove to be very useful during the course of the season. And it’s not like he’s expected to carry the team. His role is focused and limited. Like Steve said, to be the offensive spark on that questionable bench.
by Barnabas on Sep 13, 2008 9:09 AM EDT reply actions
For decades I’ve heard people say a point guard who can bring the ball up under pressure isn’t necessary; all you need, they suggest, is to bring one or two of your big guys back, and then pass it up. And I say, garbage.
Here’re the problems with that notion. One, if there’s any serious defense, it generally takes longer, which means you’ve less time on your shot clock. Two, it takes more coordination between players. If somebody’s slow to get to a spot, things can unravel quickly. Remember, you’re not just passing to the one big guy. He’s got to pivot about and pass it to someone else (because you don’t want him dribbling with it). Three, long passes are easy to screw up, especially if someone’s a bit keyed up and under stress. Four, it takes up valubale practice time to prepare for it. Five, the fact that you have subs throws in variations that increase the chances of turn overs. Six, it’s relatively easy for an opposing team to watch film, and to figure out how your press break works, and what’s the best way to counter it.
And let’s not forget, turnovers in the back court are the worst place for them to happen. They almost immediately lead to scores by the other team or fouls.
Nothing beats a skilled ball handler who knows what he’s doing, and who’s always looking for opportunities that are provided by bad defense.
the proven Cassell could be of more value in the chase for another championship than Pruitt is if he isn’t ready for the big-time this season.
This sentence sums up my feelings. Maybe Pruitt will be a better player than Cassell in 2 seasons. But if he isn’t good enough to contribute next one, bring back Sam. We already have plenty of unproven potential guys in the roster.
As a side note, I generally agree with who[/i] on a lot of stuff, but on this particular issue (bringing the ball under pressure) I tend to agree, in abstract, with the thoughts that [i]no kidding expressed. However, I also think that House’s not that bad bringing up the ball and that he has margin to improve.
If Cassell is a detriment to this team, it will be entirely Doc Rivers’ fault. As the author above stated, there stands a chance that with Cassell healthy and integrated into the system, he could be productive. If not, he should ride the bench. If there’s any result besides the two above, the blame should fall either on Doc or on injuries.
I also agree with no kidding (and therefore disagree with who) and I’ll add a 7th reason: pulling your big man out of position give his defender the post spot he likes. Now KG is not a low-post player but he’s not allergic to it either. I recall numerous times when KG battled his defender for that mid-post area he like to operate from. By the time KG returns from mid-court, he’s lost any chance of getting the spot first.
…you know i’m starting to wonder if all this “Ainge is happy with Pruitt’s progress at PG” business is big ol’ danny smokescreen. Perhaps he’s just talking people up in case a trade is looming. I’m just sayin’.
Yup, that’s Danny’s M.O…wouldn’t put it past him.
One need look no further than Danny’s statement about always having 4 point guards in camp; he wants there to be competition. Rondo and Eddie, by virtue of his new deal, seem certain to be the top 2, but the next job is for Cassell or Pruitt to win. It is a healthy situation for a defending champ to have a battle for jobs in camp. Sam won’t be handed anything in terms of minutes, he is not a midseason pickup at this point, he has to come in and earn minutes in camp, just as Pruitt will. Time will sort all of this out as it usually does. Whomever the 3rd point ends up being, those minutes will be limited, Rondo will play at least 35 and Eddie will pick up most of the rest.
I don’t think Sam can fit into our offensive flow. Unless Scal needs a buddy at the end of the bench, let him go and go with House, Pruitt, etc.
by docextension on Sep 13, 2008 10:04 PM EDT reply actions
Yet another stellar, article by Professor Weimann.
Who’s got it right. During the Bird years we hardly ever had a real PG. Chief at the top of the free throw line in the back court took care of about anything. Garnett is a better passer and ball handler than Chief was. So is Davis. Rivers needs to see the obvious when Eddie is having problems getting the ball up. When that occurred last year, Rivers didn’t.
The problem with players like Cassell (I remember Payton the same way) is that he still thinks he’s 25 and still thinks he’s an elite player. For somebody so boisterous and competitive as Cassell, it’s hard to imagine him not being disruptive in a limited or inconsistent role. I also doubt very seriously Cassell will sign a non-guaranteed contract. So if you sign him, you’re stuck with him if he is disruptive.
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