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Games like yesterday's were one of the reasons the Celtics signed Big Shot Sam, but Cassell said Rivers told him ahead of time he was going to go with House. Cassell, who averaged 16 minutes and 5.4 points during the first five games of the series, turned it into a positive, saying he's well-rested for the next round.

"[He] told me I might not play the last two games just to get ready for the Pistons, so that's what I came here for, to play against the Pistons, and hopefully the [NBA] Finals," said Cassell.

Cassell said he appreciated that Rivers explained the situation to him.

"He played for [Gregg ] Popovich. I know that Popovich does the same thing. He gives guys rest," said Cassell. "I got four days of rest. I'm cool. I'm ready to take on whatever role I get. I'll play a little bit more next series. Four days of rest, I'm fresh. I'm cool."

Link: http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... ss/?page=2


Prepare yourselves for 20minutes of Sam Cassell per game...

I don`t know. Should I laugh or should I cry?

I mean, I expected Sam would get minutes against DET, we brought him to play against the pistons and Hunter but after the way he played against CLE, I didn`t think he would play a lot.

And my biggest problem with Cassell is that he hasn`t acknowledged how terribly he has played thus far! I expected to hear some harsh criticism about his game but he acts like everything is OK.

Well, one thing that makes me optimistic is that Rivers always says the "right" stuff but never does it. So, if he told Sam all this that doesn`t necessarily mean he will get a lot of playing time...

I wouldn't have a problem with playing Sam in this series. Detroit is the reason we brought him in, Eddie couldn't bring the ball up against them. Sam should be useful this series.

It sounds like he is thrilled to play against Detroit.

So if he doesn't play for the entire Detroit series, does this mean he is being rested for next year?

CB and Hunter killed House when Eddie was bringing the ball up....he hasn't proved that he can bring the ball up court against them consistently

Doc Rivers should get him really rested for the Lakers series after this one.

We need Rondo against the Lakers. Derek Fisher is too old to chase him.

GreenGrizz wrote:We need Rondo against the Lakers. Derek Fisher is too old to chase him.

Rondo better turn Billups' hamstring into silly putty.

Cassell haters need to get a grip. If he doesn't do well in the 1st two games out, then bench him. Otherwise, we're gonna need him in this series, House is not ideal at the backup pg. The rest can have only helped him.

I still believe he can play good ball against Detroit, he and Ray are in a slump that can end in this series

Phew, great news!

Now he can be fresh when he stands up to cheer House from the sideline!

I'd really rather hear this than "I suck blah blah". Need him to keep some semblance of confidence, even though he needs to facilitate a bit more.

This is what we got Cassell for.

Remember? House trapped in the backcourt by Hunter, Rondo too small to guard Billups, Tony Allen biting on the pump fake.

JCizzle wrote:I'd really rather hear this than "I suck blah blah". Need him to keep some semblance of confidence, even though he needs to facilitate a bit more.

True. I'm so sick of those egoless pro athletes claiming they suck. Why can't we go back to the good old days when athletes thought they were infallible.

Nah but I get your point. As for Cassell playing, I hope he doesn't. I don't get why Doc can't institute simple press break sets so House doesn't turn the ball over. Short of poor defense on Billups, WHY choose Cassell over House? He has better hustle, spreads the floor, and with the big three getting so many minutes anyways it's not like we desperately need somebody to create their own offense. Why not have somebody with an outside shooting threat?

he helped us win a game against and hawks and one against the cavs. Sam struggled when they put a bigger guy on him.
It will all depend on how much billups could play defense.

Hopefully the headline will soon read:

Cassell: I'm rested for Los Angeles.

As long as he is on a real short leash. Drag him quickly if necessary.

Dogen wrote:This is what we got Cassell for.

Remember? House trapped in the backcourt by Hunter, Rondo too small to guard Billups, Tony Allen biting on the pump fake.

Well, Cassell isn't gonna do a better job of guarding Billups than Rondo or House,

But we might need him this series. Might be harder to take the ball up court versus DET than CLE.

That said, I would assume, or at least hope, the main reason Cassell sat was so that House could get a chance to contribute, Cassell had been playing poorly and we have better, longer standing, inherent chemistry with House entering the game...and while Cassell might occasionally have a really good game, on average I do not at all believe he is better than House. IMO House also plays with a better mentality.

Given that, I hope Cassell is joking on some level, because I would hope/assume that Doc has the balls to be honest with his players.

If the ref's don't give Billups the Lebron treatment, Rondo should be good for this series (It seems like he likes the Billups challenge). Chauncey took the advantage given to him by the ref's and capitalized by posting Rondo up in the first meeting. The foul trouble nullified Rondo's effectiveness on defense and his aggressiveness on offense. In my opinion Rondo was Chauncey's equal in the 3 games we played!

I dunno. House can't dribble against pressure - but he does look physically stronger then Cassell - albeit shorter. Neither guy matches up great against Chauncy. Actually the only guy that does is our sometimes PG/SG Tony Allen!

Pete