CTC: House or Cassell?

Eddie House did a good job of backing up Rondo last season and Cassell was rather underwhelming. They went back to House in the Finals and he delivered. I say stay with House.

I think House should be the stated backup to Rondo. Although not perfect, he did improve his ballhandling skills and ability to bring it up under pressure. He’s not the greatest playmaker, but he knows the offense and was critical in last year’s success. I’m not a fan of Sam and don’t know what his contract will be, but I see him as more of 2 guard on this team, even though, there could be better options. Sam can come in handy if he gets on a shooting hot streak and is able to post up and draw fouls better than Rondo or House. So he could have a place on this team. I don’t think we can have House competing with Sam because both play differently and using both on a regular basis destroys the chemistry of the team (on the floor). I think it should be made clear that Sam is here as security in case of injury. Also, if they are serious about Sam coaching here next year I don’t see why Sam would object. I also haven’t seen where Sam has been signed so this could all be conjecture. As to Pruitt, he is a developing player. We don’t know what he’s done this summer to improve his game. He should get some serious playing time if they really believe in his potential because all we need to do this year is get into the playoffs. I don’t think we need to play the season to get home court advantage as we did last year, but then again, with the teams we could be facing it could be more important than I think. Thus, as regard to this post, I really don’t have a clue and that’s why Doc is paid the big bucks and why I can shoot the breeze without being held accountable.

did I miss something? have we actually signed cassell? I don’t want him back;Pruitt is ready to earn minutes so I say give the kid a chance. eddie is adequate at the back up spot until Pruitt is ready to play more minutes and Eddie’s hustle is contagious. I love Sam’s competiveness and his ability to play under pressure but he never integrated himself into the offense or the defense last season and while having a training camp would no doubt help in that regard he still is an older player who can’t defend and has lost his speed.

And why are we wanting “Shoot First” Sam as a coach after this year either?

If it were a choice of cutting I would cut Cassell. But everyone should not forget that House is a “specialty” player. Regardless of how hard he plays and the “extra” things he brings. Don’t forget one reason we won this year, was because the team was so versatile and was able to adjust to any defensive and offensive schemes thrown at them. Both players contributed to this versatility. In the Detroit series House’s ball handling became a liability, believe it or not, Cassel’s ability to bring the ball up was a key in that series, I am sure a lot of PGs could do that, but in that series, House was not one of them.

All I am saying is keep an open mind. The team has to stay versatile to keep winning and as much as House contributes to some angles, Cassell can contribute in other angles.

Do you guys REALLY believe Gabe Pruitt is good enough, much less ready? If so, I hope you’re right.

I love House as our backup PG as long as we are not playing against a team that uses a one-man full court press like Lindsey Hunter does for the Pistons. It seems like Doc made the adjustment when this happens to have Paul or Ray bring the ball up the court and move Eddie to the 2. Seems simple enough.

I hope my passion for Posey’s veteran leadership (and clutch shooting/defense) doesn’t make me sound hypocritical when I prefer Cassell over House. (I hope that’s not a false choice, by the way. Why not both, again? Just wondering.)
I believe Cassell was a kind of necessary evil last year, and his plusses (barely) outweighed his negatives. Now I believe the opposite to be true. He’s too much of a presence, and crowds out House, who while not a great back-up is serviceable. I also think this gives Pruitt a chance to develop SOME. (Right?)
But yes, Sam has already worn out his welcome.

Not even close. House makes this team better and plays within the system. Cassell plays his own game. Add the fact that his tired old body is now another year older and it shouldn’t even be a debate. Ask Lindsay Hunter how well Sam can bring the ball up the court. (yes, you are all thinking of the image of him picking his pocket and laying the ball up followed by the hook from Doc)

House progressed as the season went on in his ball handling at the point. There are others on the floor that he can push the ball up to if he gets trapped.(which is the right play for any PG) Pruitt never got pressed in the times he was on the floor either. We don’t need Sam. UBUNTU is not in his vocabulary.

House or Cassell? I think we won’t even sign Cassell, so basically the discussion is over before it began.

I like House as the backup. The real battle seems to be Cassell vs Pruit for 3rd string, if they want 3 points on the roster. If Ainge thinks Pruit has made progress and is up to the task, then I like Pruit. But if he has not shown improvement, then i wouldn’t be upset if he is waived and Cassell is signed.

NBA Live 09 rated Rondo as a 71 and Pruitt as a 70, with Eddie House as a 68. Sam Cassell wasn’t even rated. They probably know something we don’t, and so I assume Pruitt will be the backup, and possibly supplant Rondo as the starter by the end of the year.

My man Eddie. No question. Sam was never a top defender and his age may make him “wily” as one blogger hopes but it also makes him slower on the D end. Eddie is a good change of pace vs Rondo and his deficiencies bringing the ball up are way over-stated. Doc got him for bringing it up slow and he adjusted. Eddie worked selflessly on D, getting through picks and filling passing lanes, ie he got it on the D end. Plus he, not Sam, brings esprit de corps of the championship type. Pruitt may very well surprise us but we are hoping too much for something out of Pruitt, Giddens, Walker, OBryant I’ve got a hunch Giddens and OBryant make it. Luck would be too good if Walker and Pruitt make it too. Let’s see. The possibilites of Pruitt are more interesting than the known qualities of Sam

I think the importance of Eddie’s perimeter shooting jumps to an even higher level without James Posey coming off the bench alongside him.

2nd unit is going to be different this year. House, TA, Pierce, Baby and Powe. Ray Allen will swap with Pierce and they will bring in Scal, O’Bryant, Giddens depending on matchups.

we’re overlooking how inexplicably bad sam’s defense is. I remember watching him get blown by opposing point guards similar to how my grandpa in a wheelchair would.

eddie and sam will be situational as will powe and bbd. i do favor eddie over sam face to face.

I dont think Cassell should even be on the roster, he’s starting to be in decline and doesn’t really fit into our offensive rhythm. House is a crowd favorite, and hits the big 3’s. It ain’t a blowout, but HOUSE is the winner.

Sam Cassell is still a hell of a lot better than Matt Cassel though

This one is easy…..House!!!!!!

eddie still struggled against pressure tonight so I didn’t see anything new there. if cassell has played lou williams would have eaten his lunch. therefore, to me, pruitt is the best answer at the backup pg. that’s not too say I wouldn’t play eddie- I would but more as a shooter