Sam Cassell

infobox NBA Player


name = Sam Cassell
nickname = Sam I Am
position = Point guard
height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3
weight_lbs = 185
league = NBA
team = Boston Celtics
number = 28
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1969|11|18
birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland
highschool = Dunbar HS
(Baltimore, Maryland)
college = Florida State
draft = 24th overall
draft_year = 1993
draft_team = Houston Rockets
career_start = 1993
career_end =
former_teams = Houston Rockets (1993–1996)
Phoenix Suns (1996)
Dallas Mavericks (1996–1997)
New Jersey Nets (1997–1999)
Milwaukee Bucks (1999–2003)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2003–2005)
Los Angeles Clippers (2005–2008)
awards = 3-time NBA Champion
(1994, 1995, 2008)
1-time NBA All-Star
All-NBA Second Team
(2004)

Samuel James Cassell (born November 18, 1969 in Baltimore, Maryland), commonly referred to as Sam Cassell, is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The height|ft=6|in=3|wiki=yes, convert|185|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on point guard was selected out of Florida State University by the Houston Rockets with the 24th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. He won two NBA Championships in his first two seasons in the league as a member of the Rockets, and his third with the Boston Celtics in 2008. He was voted into the NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Team once, both in the 2003-04 season. He has also played for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers.

College

After graduating from Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Maryland, Cassell chose to start his college career at San Jacinto College in Texas, where he was known as a big scorer. However, he transferred to Florida State University for his junior and senior years. In his senior year in 1992-93, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game and led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in steals. Together with teammate Bob Sura, he formed the highest scoring and rebounding backcourt in the nation with 38.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

On February 14, 2008, in a Valentine's Day loss to Wake Forest, Cassell's jersey was retired by Florida State. [http://nolesports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/FSU05/802150354] His jersey is only the fourth of a male basketball player to hang from the rafters at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

NBA

First years

Cassell was selected out of Florida State University with the 24th overall pick of the 1993 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets as eventual successor to Kenny Smith at the point guard position. Eventually, he split point guard duties with Smith in 1994 and 1995, his first two seasons in the league, and helped the Rockets win two NBA Championships. After the 1995-96 season, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, along with Robert Horry, Chucky Brown and Mark Bryant, in exchange for Charles Barkley, but his tenure there was brief, as he appeared in just 22 games for the Suns.

On December 27, 1996, he was traded along with Michael Finley, A.C. Green and a second-round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Jason Kidd, Tony Dumas and Loren Meyer. However, midway through the 1996-97 season, after appearing in just 16 games for the Mavericks, he was traded along with Chris Gatling, Jim Jackson, George McCloud and Eric Montross to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Shawn Bradley, Ed O'Bannon, Robert Pack and Khalid Reeves on February 17, 1997. Following the season, he elected to re-sign with the Nets.

Milwaukee Bucks

Midway through the 1998-99 season, he was dealt again, for the fourth time in 6 seasons, in a three-way trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks along with Brian Evans, Chris Gatling, a 1999 first-round draft pick and a future first-round draft pick on March 11, 1999. On March 3, 2001, he scored his career-high of 40 points against the Chicago Bulls. During All-Star Weekend in 2001, he won the Fleer Shootout at Jam Session on All-Star Saturday. He almost reached the NBA Finals with the Bucks in 2001, falling just short when they lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 2002-03 season, he passed 10,000 points for his career.

Minnesota Timberwolves

After spending 4 seasons with the Bucks, he was traded along with Ervin Johnson to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Joe Smith and Anthony Peeler following the 2002-03 season. He arguably had his best season in 2003-04, when he was named to the All-NBA Second Team and All-Interview Second Team, and voted into the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. He also helped the Timberwolves to reach the 2004 Western Conference Finals.

Los Angeles Clippers

After the 2004-05 season, the Timberwolves traded him and a conditional first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers. Cassell appeared to have found a home with the Clippers, as he led them to the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2006 Playoffs. In the First Round, they beat the Denver Nuggets in five games, but would eventually fall to the Phoenix Suns in a 127-107 blowout in Game 7. Before the 2006-07 season, Cassell was tempted to take a two-year, $15M offer from the Atlanta Hawks, but eventually re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $13M deal.

Buyout limbo

Throughout the 2007-08 season, it had been rumored that Cassell would get bought out of his contract with the Clippers, especially after they let the trade deadline pass without dealing him. Cassell first denied that he was pushing strongly towards a buyout, [Jonathan Abrams, [http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-cliprep8feb08,1,5864132.story Cassell denies aggressive bid for a buyout] , "Los Angeles Times", February 8, 2008.] but eventually acknowledged his buyout talks with the Clippers. [Jonathan Abrams, [http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-cliprep26feb26,1,5783606.story?ctrack=8&cset=true Cassell confirms buyout talks with Clippers] , "Los Angeles Times", February 26, 2008.] On February 26, 2008, it was reported that the Clippers would officially announce the buyout later that day,Peter May, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/26/cassell_drawing_interest/ Cassell drawing interest] , "The Boston Globe", February 26, 2008.] but that did not happen, and only some days later the interests of both parties were reported to be far apart.Jonathan Abrams, [http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-cliprep28feb28,1,5553677.story Sides are far apart in deciding Cassell's fate] , February 28, 2008.] Cassell would have to walk away from all of his remaining salary to receive a buyout, and initially was not ready to do so. But on February 28, 2008, the Clippers reached a contractual buyout agreement with Cassell and placed him on waivers. [ [http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/cassell_waived_080228.html Clippers Waive Guard Sam Cassell] , "Clippers.com", February 28, 2008.] [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3269649 Injury-prone Cassell released by the Clippers] , "Associated Press", February 28, 2008.] According to the agreement, Cassell received half of his remaining salary, roughly $850,000. [Jonathan Abrams, [http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-cliprep29feb29,1,7159868.story?ctrack=6&cset=true Cassell finally gets his contract buyout] , February 29, 2008.]

Boston Celtics

Cassell became an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 2008, 6 p.m. ET, when he cleared waivers, and was eligible to sign with a team of his choice.Marc J. Spears, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2008/02/cassell_release.html Cassell gets buyout; next stop Boston?] , "The Boston Globe", February 28, 2008.] Although the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns were interested in his services, [Mark Murphy, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1076765&srvc=celt&position=2 Waiting for right time on Cassell] , "Boston Herald", February 29, 2008.] he was strongly linked with a poised move to the Boston Celtics and was expected to be in Boston once he cleared waivers. On March 1, 2008, Cassell's agent, David Falk, confirmed that Cassell would sign a contract with the Celtics for the remainder of the season if he cleared waivers, receiving a prorated amount of the veteran minimum of $1.2M. [Marc J. Spears, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/01/cassell_clear_to_here/ Cassell: Clear to here?] , "The Boston Globe", March 1, 2008.] Cassell has said that he would wear either No. 28 or No. 91 on his jersey, and eventually chose No. 28. [Steve Bulpett, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1078960&srvc=celt&position=2 Cassell is on hold] , "Boston Herald", March 9, 2008.]

According to his agent, Cassell had signed a contract with the Celtics on March 3, 2008, but the signing was pending an official league announcement.Peter May, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/03/cassell_clears_waivers_signs_with_celtics/ Cassell clears waivers, signs with Celtics] , "The Boston Globe", March 3, 2008.] [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3274465 Former Clipper Cassell expected to officially join Celtics Tuesday] , "ESPN.com", March 3, 2008.] [Steve Bulpett, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1077517&srvc=celt&position=1 Cassell clears waivers, heading to Hub] , "Boston Herald", March 3, 2008.] However, his arrival was delayed because of a death in his family. On March 4, 2008, Cassell officially signed with the Celtics, [ [http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press030408-sam-cassell.html Celtics Sign Guard Sam Cassell] , "Celtics.com", March 4, 2008.] but immediately flew back to his hometown of Baltimore to attend funeral services for his deceased family member. [Celtics Insider, [http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/celtics/?p=215&srvc=sports&position=recent Cassell here and gone] , "Boston Herald", March 4, 2008.] [Marc J. Spears, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2008/03/cassell_update_1.html Cassell update] , "The Boston Globe", March 4, 2008.] He made his debut against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 10, 2008.

On March 17, 2008, Cassell had a standout performance in a Saint Patrick's Day matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, when he led the team from a 22-point deficit to a 2-point victory, scoring 17 points and hitting a clutch shot late in the game. [Marc J. Spears, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/18/sam_dunk/ Sam Dunk - Cassell's clutch shot helps Celtics top Spurs] , "The Boston Globe", March 18, 2008.] [John Schuhmann, [http://www.nba.com/features/triangle_20080317.html Sam Cassell Makes Shots] , "NBA.com", March 17, 2008.]

On March 28, 2008, Cassell was honored as the 9th best of the 20 greatest players in franchise history during Milwaukee's "40th Anniversary Team Celebration", but could not attend the festivities because of the Celtics' game against the New Orleans Hornets. [ [http://www.nba.com/bucks/features/40th_anniversary_main.html 40th Anniversary Main Page] , "Bucks.com", March 26, 2008.] Charles F. Gardner, [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=733376 Forward march: Dandridge proud of legacy he left with team] , "JS Online", March 28, 2008.]

Personality

Cassell is known for his feistiness and outgoing personality. [ [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CASSELL+KNOWS+HOW+TO+SELL+IT-a0145705892 Cassell knows how to sell it] , "Los Angeles Daily News"] He was one of the Milwaukee Bucks' "Big Three", alongside Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson, that reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001. In Minnesota, he was an integral part of the team, as he and his teammates were led by 2003-04 MVP Kevin Garnett to the 2004 Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Curiously, both Allen and Garnett, alongside resident star Paul Pierce, would become Cassell's teammates with the Boston Celtics, and helped them win the 2008 NBA Finals.

Media

Cassell appeared on TNT's "NBA Fundamentals" series, in which basketball players describe certain aspects of the game. He was chosen to illustrate the "mid-range game", i.e. shooting from the area around the free throw line, the paint, the wings and the baseline. In this clip, [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PLWvSqkDAU NBA Fundamentals: Sam Cassell - Mid-Range] on YouTube.com] Cassell explains how to post up against opposing guards, shoot pull-up jump shots and hit buzzer beaters. He also states his admiration for retired NBA players Terrell Brandon and Jeff Hornacek, two prolific mid-range shooters after whom he modeled his game.

References

External links

*NBA-profile
*basketball-reference|Sam Cassell
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1295 {name|Sam Cassell}] at ESPN.com
* [http://clippers.topbuzz.com/modules/gallery/sam-cassell Sam Cassell Pictures] - Clippers Topbuzz
* [http://www.clutchfans.net/players/sam_cassell/ ClutchFans.net Sam Cassell Profile] - Houston Rockets Fan Site