<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Coach Cassell This is Sam Cassell's 15th NBA season, and if the Clippers' 38-year old point guard is true to his word, he will pack it in after he plays one more season. His goal is to be an NBA coach, and he knows that he will need to get bench experience first as an assistant. "I can still play this game," he said, his pronounced jaw jutting out for further emphasis. "I'd play until I couldn't get my shot off anymore. And I can still do that. But I want to start coaching. I'll play one more year and that'll be all for me." -- Orange County Register</div>
He certainly has the competitiveness and work ethic to succeed. I'm sure he knows enough good coaches to go somewhere where he can get the experience he needs.
He said last year that he wanted to play for Nellie for a year then become part of the coaching staff (basically wants to do a cliff notes version of what Avery Johnson did). Not too bad of an idea really, Nellie does know how to teach younger coaches to coach. Disciples of Nellie's that I can think of off the top of my head are Greg Popovic, Mike Dunleavy Sr., Avery Johnson and I'm sure there's plenty of others. Still, there's no shortcuts, he should have to start at the bottom like other coaches and work his way up.
He can spend next season playing for the Nuggets and then join Karl's coaching staff the next season. The following season he can replace Karl.
I think Sam I Am is going to be a good coach. He's got all the tools. The experience, the smarts, the leadership, the personality, and the passion. I think what cpaw said makes the most sense - play in Denver next season, coach under Karl in 2009-2010, and then eventually take over.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Dec 26 2007, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Maybe he can coach the intergalactic all-stars for his home planet.</div>
