Cassell to coach the Clippers ???

scratch21 · Post #1 » by **scratch21** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:00 pm

Cassell cases future
December 25th, 2008, 4:11 pm · Post a Comment · posted by ART THOMPSON III, OCREGISTER.COM

LOS ANGELES - As he sat down at his locker stall an hour before Sunday’s game, inserting tickets into envelopes and sealing them, Boston Celtics guard Sam Cassell reminisced about his time when he was a Staples Center crowd favorite.

The 2005-2006 season was a glorious time for Cassell, as the point guard and inspirational leader of the Clippers. He led them to the best regular-season record in team history and into the playoffs, where the Clippers came within an eyelash of reaching the Western Conference finals.

“This is my home away from home,” Cassell said. “I had lots of success here. I enjoyed playing here.”

Cassell owns a home in Marina del Rey that he rents out to a former Clippers’ employee. But after securing a buyout of his contract last February, Cassell was waived by the Clippers and then signed by the Celtics. He helped Boston win several late-season games although his role subsequently was diminished in the playoffs.

But the 39-year old Cassell was preparing for his future, having already proclaimed that the 2008-2009 season - his 16th in the NBA - would be his last. Cassell’s next job, he hopes, will be as a NBA coach, as soon as the 2009-2010 season.

“I’m ready,” Cassell said. “I know I’m ready.”

Cassell said a dream come true for him would be to one day return to Los Angeles and coach the Clippers.

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, who played 13 seasons in the NBA, believes that Cassell will be a successful NBA coach.

“It’s his basketball I.Q. and his temperament,” Rivers said. “He’s one of the few NBA players that I’ve ever been around that has the ability to tell stars and average players exactly what they need to hear. A lot of times it’s not the politically-correct thing he’s telling them but they still listen. He’s going to be a heck of a coach.”

Gesturing in the direction of the Celtics’ 22-year old starting point guard Rajon Rondo, Cassell said, “My job is to help make him one of the best point guards in the NBA. He has all the tools. I tell him he has two things I never had - speed and quickness. I’m teaching him how to maximize what he has.”

Rondo has been a willing student.

“He’s like a coach,” Rondo said. “He sees a lot from where he’s sitting on the bench and every time he’s told me to be aggressive out there offensively, he’s been right.”

Cassell has not played in a game yet this season. He has been in uniform for only eight games and has been on the inactive list for 21 others. But Cassell practices regularly and believes that he will have fresh legs when the Celtics make their post All-Star break push push to defend their NBA title.

“That’s why we’re not going to use him until the second part of the year,” Rivers said.

http://lakers.freedomblogging.com/2008/ ... ture/7712/

JJ LoDuca · Post #2 » by **JJ LoDuca** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:15 pm

The sooner, the better, I say!

PlinkingPanda · Post #3 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:33 pm

JJ LoDuca wrote:The sooner, the better, I say!

ClipperDomination · Post #4 » by **ClipperDomination** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:05 pm

He'd make players on this team give it their all 100% of the time. That's for sure. I'd love to have Sam I Am as the next Clipp's coach.

mj_shoefanatic · Post #5 » by **mj_shoefanatic** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:14 pm

Bring back the Alien :nod:

Post #6 » by **mkwest** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:48 pm

I'd like him back right now. I think he'll end up on somebody's bench, but I'm just not sure where. He's mentioned quite a few places that he'd wouldn't mind coaching after he retired.

PlinkingPanda · Post #7 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:51 pm

mkwest wrote:I'd like him back right now. I think he'll end up on somebody's bench, but I'm just not sure where. He's mentioned quite a few places that he'd wouldn't mind coaching after he retired.

He's still with the Celtics. They just aren't playing him right now. Fresh legs for the post season I guess, but Rondo is doing a hell of a job this season. Maybe Sammy won't be necessary for them.

scratch21 · Post #8 » by **scratch21** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:55 pm

who do u thnk he will hire for assistants? lol

PlinkingPanda · Post #9 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:07 pm

scratch21 wrote:who do u thnk he will hire for assistants? lol

ET, Alien and maybe predator too since they're pals, Alf.

playaloc916 · Post #10 » by **playaloc916** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:36 pm

There's a number of places he could wind up. I think he said that he wouldn't mind joining the Celtic's coaching staff. He also has a good relationship with George Karl, so he may end up becoming one of his assistants, and of course there's the Clippers. He may even pull a Vinny Del Negro, and become a head coach before becoming an assistant. That would be awesome if he could replace Dumbleavy.

Post #11 » by **loflin3hree5ive** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:08 am

Sam is probably the only guy I could see Dunleavy stepping down as coach for if the Clippers continue to struggle.

jflipclip · Post #12 » by **jflipclip** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:06 pm

I was listening to AM570, and I think it was PMS? or maybe one of the LA Times sports writer really rallying for Sam Cassell to come coach the Clippers. The success the Clippers had a few years back, a lot was due to him not only for being a great PG for us, but for leading the team and getting people to work together.

I want to see how he coaches, but he's still a question mark if he was willing to take the job. That and Dunleavy still has to step back. Iunno, I have mixed feelings.

Post #13 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:21 pm

It would be great to have Sam back to coach, but like many of you have said there's many places he could go and he will be an assistant first.