<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">First, off, when assessing what happen with Cassell in Minny you have to put everything in its proper perspective. Some of the things Sammy got accused of in Minny was justified and some wasnt. I definately think Sammy deserved the redicule for the way he handle going about trying to get a new contract at the start of the year, holding out of training camp was not smart on Sammy's part, no doubt. So I cant really knock the Sammy C critics for taking him to the wood shed on that. But as a Sammy fan I felt personally that as the year went on every Sprewell inncident they couple with Sammy. So people started to couple them together as Minny's team cancer. And I think it was a bit injust. Once the season offically started Cassell never made any more contract demandes,but because Spree made those comments about cant feed his family, everything thru the national media began Sprewell and Cassell are demanding such & such and arent going to play hard until they get it. My thing is Sam never demanded an increase in pay, he simply asked for an exstension there is a difference between asking for job security(which he was basically doing) and asking for a increase in pay(which is basically what Spree wanted). Anyway, nobody never took into account that the main reason Cassell struggled at the start of the season was simply because he wasnt healthy. He had hip surgery during the offseason. And it clearly made him a step slower last year. But toward the end of the season when Sammy began to get healthier, he became effective again. And if he wasnt about the team concept like many try to potray him as last year, then he would have never lived with the role coming off the bench for the last month or so of the season. I admit that Sam's style can be hard for some fans and even teammattes to conform to at times. But I think its a big mis-conception to ever thing that Sam's style isnt about winning at the end of the day. Even Goerge Karl(and yes I do use this comment alot when talking about Sam) said that Cassell has one of the biggest wills to win of any player he has ever coached. And I think it holds alot of merit for Karl to admit something like that after the run-ins him & Sammy had in Mil-town. But it goes to show the true agenda of Sammy. Anyway, as far as Sammy going back to Houston. Well I think it would be a true evolution of his basketball career, Sammy often still stays in Houston especially during the offseason. But on-court, honestly I can see Cassell & Mcgrady bumping heads a bit. Cassell come winning time wants the ball in his hands. And I doubt that Mcgrady is willing to share the big-shot spot light. In Minny, Cassell has had the greenlight in crunch time because as good as KG is, he sometimes is known to shy away from the cruchtime spot light. But honestly I would see that as being the biggest seperation between Cassell & the rockets concept. Cassell wants those cruchtime shots. Other then that and of course the fact that Sammy doesnt like the defensive end and Van Gundy is a defensive minded coach, I dont really see why Cassell wouldnt be able to help this rockets team at least for next year. Yoa Ming has those games where it looks like he wants to just run and hide from the bigtime pressure moments, I think Cassell will ride him in the right away during those moments. And force feed him so he can get invloved in the action, he has even done this with KG at times. But never got any create for bringing a little more out of KG in big time situations, so I think that would be good for Yao. Anyway, I doubt it will happen Cassell going to the rockets, cause Mchale has already said he isnt just going to trade Cassell for nothing. And the Rockets probably arent going to take the risk on Sammy this late in his carreer to give Minny anything to great. And Cassell is still worth more than C-Spoon.</div> First off Henacy, you make some good points. But where I would disagree is where T-Mac won't give Sam the ball in the clutch. There were plenty times this season where Tmac was forced to give the ball up in the 4th quarter. Like the game in New York, when Padgett hit the buzzard beater. Teams are gonna focus on Tmac and Yao for the rest of they're careers. If we can't get a younger and more athletic PG, I would say the Rockets need a spark like Sam Cassell to mix things up. So he doesn't play good D, but they said the same thing about Mcgrady when he came to Houston. Sam does run his mouth alot, but I think with a team full of "Nice guys" we kinda need some trash talk.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">First off Henacy, you make some good points. But where I would disagree is where T-Mac won't give Sam the ball in the clutch. There were plenty times this season where Tmac was forced to give the ball up in the 4th quarter. Like the game in New York, when Padgett hit the buzzard beater. Teams are gonna focus on Tmac and Yao for the rest of they're careers. If we can't get a younger and more athletic PG, I would say the Rockets need a spark like Sam Cassell to mix things up. So he doesn't play good D, but they said the same thing about Mcgrady when he came to Houston. Sam does run his mouth alot, but I think with a team full of "Nice guys" we kinda need some trash talk.</div> Iam not saying that T-Mac wont let Cassell take a big shot or two, my point is that Sammy loves to have the ball in his hands during the clutch in almost every big situation. And that is where they may bump heads a bit.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Iam not saying that T-Mac wont let Cassell take a big shot or two, my point is that Sammy loves to have the ball in his hands during the clutch in almost every big situation. And that is where they may bump heads a bit.</div> I agree...Sammy has a tendency to force shots when it comes to the 4th quarter...if he reluctantly deferred to garnett, he definitely wont look TMac's way if need be...
I think Cassel is a great player but what we need is a Bob Cousy type PG. Someone who is unselfish with the ball and likes to run. I would really like to see the Rockets get faster during the off-season and start beating more teams on transition. Oh yeah, a bit younger too.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RogueNine:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Cassel is a great player but what we need is a Bob Cousy type PG. Someone who is unselfish with the ball and likes to run. I would really like to see the Rockets get faster during the off-season and start beating more teams on transition. Oh yeah, a bit younger too.</div> Maybe we should try to trade for Jason Williams. Pass Happy Streetballer who can hit the 3 ball. He's young and can run the floor. But the only problem is I dont see who Memphis would take from us.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe we should try to trade for Jason Williams. Pass Happy Streetballer who can hit the 3 ball. He's young and can run the floor. But the only problem is I dont see who Memphis would take from us.</div> I just took a look at Jason William's stats and I have to say not bad. I definently wouldn't mind a PG who can give us 7 assists a game and also throw in around 10 points or so. Out of curiosity, what is his current status?
His defensive game is suspect, and although Memphis is open to trading him right now, they would look for a PG in return as Watson is a free agent and could very well be gone. Would Jerry West be interested in Sura or James?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">His defensive game is suspect, and although Memphis is open to trading him right now, they would look for a PG in return as Watson is a free agent and could very well be gone. Would Jerry West be interested in Sura or James?</div> Maybe for James but I'd doubt it for Sura. However, I think it would be in Houston's best interest to keep James since he's younger and has instant offense while Sura has chronic health problems like his back. I don't really see a trade happening. However, perhaps Houston can package Sura along with Weatherspoon or some other guy (who has an expiring contract) to Memphis? Still, that's probably not going to work anyhow.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe for James but I'd doubt it for Sura. However, I think it would be in Houston's best interest to keep James since he's younger and has instant offense while Sura has chronic health problems like his back. I don't really see a trade happening. However, perhaps Houston can package Sura along with Weatherspoon or some other guy (who has an expiring contract) to Memphis? Still, that's probably not going to work anyhow.</div> What you guys fail to realize is Yao is too big play at the pace Jason Williams likes to play. Jason Williams is good for a team like Pheonix with small line up. He's SUPER FAST. Yao will get tired running up and down the court with JWill. Plus, he doesn't shoot a good percentage from the field. That's why Cassell would be a really nice pick up. People seem to forget that Cassell is ice water under pressure. Also he has two rings. I'm not saying he neccesarily be our first choice, but if he's open, we should snatch him up. Another thing, if you look at this team and the championship team with Drexler, and Hakeem, they are very similar. Cassell would already know his role as far as what he should do.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">What you guys fail to realize is Yao is too big play at the pace Jason Williams likes to play. Jason Williams is good for a team like Pheonix with small line up. He's SUPER FAST. Yao will get tired running up and down the court with JWill. Plus, he doesn't shoot a good percentage from the field. That's why Cassell would be a really nice pick up. People seem to forget that Cassell is ice water under pressure. Also he has two rings. I'm not saying he neccesarily be our first choice, but if he's open, we should snatch him up. Another thing, if you look at this team and the championship team with Drexler, and Hakeem, they are very similar. Cassell would already know his role as far as what he should do.</div> Yeah, he's just ten years older
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">What you guys fail to realize is Yao is too big play at the pace Jason Williams likes to play. Jason Williams is good for a team like Pheonix with small line up. He's SUPER FAST. Yao will get tired running up and down the court with JWill. Plus, he doesn't shoot a good percentage from the field. That's why Cassell would be a really nice pick up. People seem to forget that Cassell is ice water under pressure. Also he has two rings. I'm not saying he neccesarily be our first choice, but if he's open, we should snatch him up. Another thing, if you look at this team and the championship team with Drexler, and Hakeem, they are very similar. Cassell would already know his role as far as what he should do.</div> Yes, to an extent, however when Cassell was winning rings with Dream and Glide, he was just a bit player and in his first two years as an NBA player...he knew he had no right to step on their toes and he knew he had to just hit his shots and pass them the ball...now, cassell has a reputation, and with an ego as big as his, his reputation as a ballplayer will be put first before anything else...also, Yao is no hakeem, and Tracy is no Glide, so Cassell's respect will not be the same as it was for Dream and Drexler...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, to an extent, however when Cassell was winning rings with Dream and Glide, he was just a bit player and in his first two years as an NBA player...he knew he had no right to step on their toes and he knew he had to just hit his shots and pass them the ball...now, cassell has a reputation, and with an ego as big as his, his reputation as a ballplayer will be put first before anything else...also, Yao is no hakeem, and Tracy is no Glide, so Cassell's respect will not be the same as it was for Dream and Drexler...</div> True, he may have a ego problem. But so did Mcgrady coming to Houston. Look at him now. Also, Sam is 10 years older but look at his numbers, they're still on point. I've watched him play, and he still has alot of game. I'd much rather have Cassell than Charlie Ward on my bench.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">True, he may have a ego problem. But so did Mcgrady coming to Houston. Look at him now. Also, Sam is 10 years older but look at his numbers, they're still on point. I've watched him play, and he still has alot of game. I'd much rather have Cassell than Charlie Ward on my bench.</div> There's about fifty points guards in the NBA that I'd rather have on the bench than Charlie Ward. That's not too much of a compliment. I think we need a point guard that is younger and not as overpaid as Cassell. With Cassell, we only get about two more good years from him and after that, I actually see the chances of winning a championship to be much lower after that. Besides, with Houston trying to extend Yao and McGrady's contracts, I'm not too sure we have enough cap space for Sam Cassell anyways to sign him as a free agent.
