Sam Cassell, Jim Jackson, etc...

I absolutely cannot fathom what the Wolves management is doing. THIS is the reason that Duncan is heads above shoulders in career success. Jim Jackson was pleading to leave.....I believe it was the Hornets....for chump change. Jim Jackson......just look at his game. He may not have a ring, but you can look at what he has brought to the teams that he has been on and see his value.
Sam Cassell is lighting up the Sonics in his usual fashion. Watching him (Sam) just reminds me that he IS a big game player. I know your going to need him, but if we could just get to the playoffs, that is the only time he would need to be effective. Cassell has the mindset of what needs to be done to bring a championship.

 

Jim Jackson has played for every NBA team under the Sun...so honestly I dont even remember dude being on the Wolves...so I cant really speak on his situation but I will say this... If the Wolves had Jackson between the later 90's, then he wasnt what the Wolves were looking for from a mental standpoint. I know this because he played for my Nets during the same time period. And I can tell that during this time period he was in a transition stage of his career. And really couldnt come to grips that he wasnt going to be the man anymore(he was still having Dallas flashbacks). So you didnt see the type of Jim Jackson, you see now. The team player, the dirty work guy on the perimeter with much beter shot selection. What you see now is a mature Jim Jackson(despite not wanting to play for the embrassing Hornets a year ago) but a mature guy who accepts his new role in the NBA changes a situation in my opinion.

And as far as Cassell goes...he is my boy but I can see why they did what they did. The Wolves front office had to save face..no way could they let go a staple of their franchise for the last 9+ years go (Flip Suanders) and not end up letting Cassell and Sprewell go down the line. The front office would have got chewed apart in the long run without changes this offseason.

From a basketball standpoint, I think Cassell(healthy) and KG could have still been effective. Maybe not all three together Cassell, Sprewell, and Garnett, but I think if you could have put a slashing wing next to Cassell at the 2 guard...even if the player wasnt a great shooter...just somebody who could get to the line and in the paint. You put Cassell, Wally, KG and a slasher together and the Wolves are sitting in the playoffs, somewhere between 4-6 come April of 06'. And lthe playoffs anything can happen. But the Wolves decided to drop all the precieved bad seeds...and start fresh, which I guess is decent from a business standpoint. But a hard pill to swallow for some Wolves fans. I think the Wolves can win 40 games this year off the strenght of KG being a top 2 or 3 player in this league...having that type of weapon gives you a chance. But that supporting cast...suspect. McCants is going to have to be alot better then I expect him to because in my opinion Wally is best as the third best player on a team not 2nd. And they are trash at the point..with Hudson and Jaric.

But you guys won tonight..so 44 more of those and you guys still likely make the playoffs.

 

I'm talking about the Jim Jackson that has shown his value in the last couple seasons. He is a tweener from starter to 6th man. Puts up good numbers, isn't known for being burned repeatedly and is not constantly on the IR. Good shooting veteran who knows his role.

Sam.....BIG GAME PLAYER. Nuff said

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">

And as far as Cassell goes...he is my boy but I can see why they did what they did. The Wolves front office had to save face..no way could they let go a staple of their franchise for the last 9+ years go (Flip Suanders) and not end up letting Cassell and Sprewell go down the line. The front office would have got chewed apart in the long run without changes this offseason.

But you guys won tonight..so 44 more of those and you guys still likely make the playoffs.</div>

I think the true Garnett fans out there were begining to see Cassell as something Garnett could have used this season. Spreweel aside, we all knew that it was Cassell as the man the helped the Wolves get over that playoff hump. Bad attitude or not - Cassell still comes to play, and not only that - he got along with Garnett. Like Sam Mitchell, I think Sam would/should/could have been that midcareer guy for Garnett that takes him for great player - to great leader.

Maybe its me but McHale is trying to do to much here, every season on ESPN we hear about the front office never getting Garnett help - or getting the wrong kind of help. Blah blah, what it comes down to is McHale is taking risky moves - maybe in hopes to make the right one. I cringed hard when I heard Cassell was gone, real hard.

Wolves make the playoffs this year anyways. I gaurentee it. Ask Vintage - last time I made a prediciton (Wolves get to at least to the WCF)... I was right. If I had only wished more...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting purehoops:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the true Garnett fans out there were begining to see Cassell as something Garnett could have used this season. Spreweel aside, we all knew that it was Cassell as the man the helped the Wolves get over that playoff hump. Bad attitude or not - Cassell still comes to play, and not only that - he got along with Garnett. Like Sam Mitchell, I think Sam would/should/could have been that midcareer guy for Garnett that takes him for great player - to great leader.</div>

Sam Cassell - 2 rings, All-Star calibur, Savvy Veteran, Understands the importance of "When" the best time to be on the floor is, not how long.
- May not have been the most healthy in recent time with the Wolves, but even during that time, there was a good feeling in the locker room.

Jaric - He's younger, he's cool....
- Health concerns are the same if not worse



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This deal is similar to the Shaq to Miami deal in my mind. You guys can hate it or love it, but the fact is this.....KG likes players he would go to war with, and Sam was one of those players. My concern before the trade was how would Sam play if we let go of Spree.