Thoughts on Cassell So Far?

[Cyclical]

Old Sammy hasn't been very impressive in green so far. Though it's definitely too early to cast a verdict with only 8 games under his belt in the new system and coming off an injury (as minor as it may be), Sam has looked more out of place than I expected.

In the 8 games he's played in he's shooting only 35%, with a sad 13% from 3-point land, and 2.5 assists to 1.5 TO's in a little over 18 minutes. Not good.

He's been the main reason for the Philly and NO losses, just deflating any momentum the team had when replacing Rondo, and looked slow on both ends of the floor and at times flat-out lost. Eddie has done a much better job so far, at least trying to push the ball and playing agressive on the defensive end.

I have no doubt he can still make some clutch shots for us in the playoffs, and who knows, maybe Rondo will struggle at times and Sam can step in and knock some mid-range shots against some teams, but honestly, I'm not feeling all that hot about him running the team for more than 10 minutes per game.

So, what are your thoughts? Will he get adjusted in time for the playoffs with only 12 games left or will we be getting more of the same? Do you see him as a calming influence off the bench come playoff time or will he just be disruptive to our established rhythm?

[Kids Are Alright]

Eddie seems an upgrade as a point guard when you look at Sam's TO's and his quickness to look for his own shot first.

Pretty tough for anyone to make an impact a few weeks into a rotation, though.

If only for insurance, I think Sam could be an effective point for the first unit, say if Rajon gets ejected for beating up on West centers, like Shaq for instance....

[Jammer]

Well, obviously Rajon and Ray are the starters at guard. Hands down, slam dunk.

I like what Tony brings from a defensive, rebounding and ability to attack the basket as Ray's backup, with some occasional jump shots thrown in.

I've really come to appreciate what Tony does well, especially the defense. Tony's ball handling limitations are something that the Celtics are able to get away with most of the time.

Eddie has fast hands, a great basketball IQ, fits in with his teammates, a great shot, understands spacing and his limitations, and makes do with what he has.

His ball handling limitation is something that the Celtics can get away with most of the time.

Sam is slow, tends to overdribble, seems best suited for being a scorer with the second unit when his shot is falling, which is rarely , so I personally hope that Sam is used as an insurance point guard (third stringer) when Eddie isn't "on." When Eddie is on, his shot is just too valuable.

Sam seems to be able to get his mid-range shot, but defenses are now getting in his 38 1/2 year old face, and he's not getting the looks that he got on the crappy Clippers. Makes a big difference when teams start guarding you again.

And Sam isn't that good a three point shooter, I really wish Doc would just shut Sammy boy down and tell him "No 3's Sammy, there are two many more deserving shooters on this team for you to be wasting them."

As it is, Sam's rate of fire, per 40 minutes, is right up there with Pierce and Garnett. But Sammy doesn't make at the rate those guys do, so someone (Coach Rivers) had better holster this liability pronto. At least House and Posey know how to holster their shots on their off days. That's part of the reason that their shooting percentages are so much higher than Sammy's.

[Kids Are Alright]

Agree w/ Jammer about TA's ability to be a game changer at 1 or 2 for a few minutes, I hope he gets enough minutes down the stretch to get his legs and shot back, the 2nd unit needs his quickness and penetration and his old 3 pointer from te 1st half of the season.

[P2]

Cassell just isn't used yet to play as a backup, so he tries to make his presence felt. His shots haven't been falling the last games, but he was right there when we needed him against San Antonio. I expect more of the same in the playoffs, when Sam will be much more acclimated to the team and his role than now. At least he shows hustle and picks the pocket of other guards, every game.

[cisco]

Part of the problem with Sam, imo, is that he's trying to learn the offense playing with all bench players. I think he would fare better if he got some time with the starters. I think Doc can start doing that after the NO game on Friday.

[BillessuR6]

He had a really good game against SA but in the last couple of games he played terrible.

He doesn`t know the plays, so I understand his poor decision making I am more disappointed in his shooting. He really can`t make a shot ATM but I expect he will get out of this slump with a few more games.

Cassell will be a huge asset for this team against teams that play a half-court game but he isn`t the best fit against running teams. Since in the playoff the game is more half-court I think we will be OK.

He needs a few practices under his belt to get comfortable and find his shooting touch. I have huge expectation for him in the playoffs. I know he will step it up when it counts...

And most importantly if Rondo goes down he can take over as the starting PG and run this team. We finally have a true backup PG he just needs some more time to figure things out and get in game shape.

[phoolishly_insane]

Wait till the PLAYOFFS!

Book it!!!

[JJHondo17]

Wait till the PLAYOFFS!

Book it!!!

[cfan79]

I think Cassell has played well. He has especially played well when Rondo hasn't.

[jjwalker]

It seems like he is forcing. All he really needs to do is bring the ball up, don't turn the ball over, get guys their shots and play defense. That's it. He doesn't need to score. I think he'll be fine in the playoffs when the game goes half court.

[Dogen]

Part of the problem with Sam, imo, is that he's trying to learn the offense playing with all bench players. I think he would fare better if he got some time with the starters. I think Doc can start doing that after the NO game on Friday.

Word. Give him a couple of more weeks and some time w/ the starters. He'll be fine.

Wait till the PLAYOFFS!

Book it!!!

Oh yes. The guy is what, 38 years old on a team that is all but guaranteed to have home court advantage through the playoffs. Sam's gonna leave a little in the tank and notch it up in the playoffs.

[Fencer reregistered]

I think he may be better in a playoff series, not because he'll try harder, but because in the playoffs you actually DO prepare with film study and so on, and analyze your game plan kind of like football teams do EVERY week.

[Celts17Pride]

Work in progress. True value will come in the playoffs.

[tombattor]

I think he'll be fine, as long as his minutes are that of a #3 PG. He can be valuable in some games, as we've seen, but Doc should have a shorter leash on him than he has so far in the playoffs. He may be able to run a pick and roll and make some shots, but at times, his selfishness kills the offensive flow. And his offense is the reason we overlook his defensive flaws, but if he can't make the offense go, then what's the point of his being in there? At least with Eddie House, we can run the offense through Ray, KG or PP. Sam doesn't allow that to happen often enough.

[LarryBrdismyDad]

I think he'll be fine, as long as his minutes are that of a #3 PG. He can be valuable in some games, as we've seen, but Doc should have a shorter leash on him than he has so far in the playoffs. He may be able to run a pick and roll and make some shots, but at times, his selfishness kills the offensive flow. And his offense is the reason we overlook his defensive flaws, but if he can't make the offense go, then what's the point of his being in there? At least with Eddie House, we can run the offense through Ray, KG or PP. Sam doesn't allow that to happen often enough.

I agree completely with this post. I knew Sam would struggle somewhat when we picked him up but I didn't think he would struggle to this degree. When he is in the game it seems like the whole offense just slows down as he pounds the ball into the floor. Sam also isn't a great catch and shoot player like Eddie House is which is what we need when we have KG, Pierce, and Allen on the floor. Cassell also is a worse defender then Eddie House in my opinion. Sure, he can handle the ball better but at this stage do we really need him too when the Big 3 can all create their own shots as well as other guys like Tony Allen as well as Powe and BB at times. It seems like Cassell really disrupts the flow of the offense. Eddie House should be the backup with Cassell getting the rest of the mins as the third point guard.

[reggielewis]

believe it or not i have been impressed with sam's defense. it is not outstanding, but he is playing better D than I thought he could. I think it is unfair to judge him yet, seeing as how he had his first practice with the team yesterday. his shot willl come. Remember how poor Ray shot in the beginning of the yr? Yes we can attribute it to his ankles a bit, but alot of it was getting into a rythym with his teammates. Sam has an even tougher job because he has to also find his teammates spots and execute plays for them. I think you will see Doc use Sam on the post a lot more once he gets into the gym with the team. I think he is best used as our "scorer" in the 2nd unit.

[Datruth345]

i think with more practice time we will see where Sam is at in green

i'm reserving judgment for a little while longer

[tombattor]

believe it or not i have been impressed with sam's defense. it is not outstanding, but he is playing better D than I thought he could. I think it is unfair to judge him yet, seeing as how he had his first practice with the team yesterday. his shot willl come. Remember how poor Ray shot in the beginning of the yr? Yes we can attribute it to his ankles a bit, but alot of it was getting into a rythym with his teammates. Sam has an even tougher job because he has to also find his teammates spots and execute plays for them. I think you will see Doc use Sam on the post a lot more once he gets into the gym with the team. I think he is best used as our "scorer" in the 2nd unit.

It's not about whether he's making his shots or not because I'm not really unhappy with his shots. He's made his share of shots, so that's not the problem. My problem is his propensity to pound the ball and take shots without the ball touching anyone else's hand. When Rondo or even House is in there, everyone's moving because they know the ball will move. OTOH, when Sam's in there, about half the time, he pounds the ball for half of the shot clock before he moves the ball and that's what kills the offensive flow.

Maybe you are right in that with more practice, he'll get better at it, but you'd think a new player, trying to fit in will defer more, as Ray and KG tried to do at the beginning of the season. Sam doesn't even try.

At this point, I don't care if he doesn't make us better, as long as he doesn't hurt us. If this continues though, I would rather see Scal on the playoff roster to wave towels than give Doc temptation to put Sam in the game and kill our offense.

[Bad-Thoma]

Eddie is more in sinc for sure, but Sam'll be valuable against the press in the playoffs, which is where Eddie scares me the most, and his shooting will come around. He's got a few more clutch shots in the tank.