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No Guarantee For Gollum: Why The Boston Celtics Could Be Nervous About Sam Cassell

Feb 11th, 2008
No Guarantee For Gollum: Why The Boston Celtics Could Be Nervous About Sam CassellMy Quick AM Take: Yesterday, I appeared on Game Points, a great sports radio show out of Montreal. One topic discussed during the roundtable was Sam Cassell’s seemingly inevitable departure from the Clippers to Celtics.

The veteran has been publicly campaigning for L.A. to buy him out, so he can play with friend Kevin Garnett in Boston. But the table-setter shouldn’t get a New England phone number quite yet. Elements are working against him landing in Beantown.

Cassell has a split personality. I call the NBA’s version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde good Sam and bad Sam. Good Sam enjoyed playoff success in Houston, Milwaukee, L.A. and Minnesota. Bad Sam created problems in the Bucks’ locker room, battled Wolves’ management for a new contract, and publicly ponders his next NBA stop with reporters while currently under salary with the Clippers.

Right now, Boston is rolling. Does GM Danny Ainge want to risk bad Sam showing up and wrecking his squad’s good vibes?

Cassell and Garnett are close. In the past, their relationship caused issues. Years back, Wolves’ management felt they couldn’t criticize Cassell, Troy Hudson, and Latrell Sprewell due to their friendship with The Big Ticket.

This isn’t a knock on Garnett; it shows his loyalty to teammates. However, it often made things uncomfortable. Ainge also has his own friends-Minnesota executive Kevin McHale. He's well aware of the challenges of having Garnett and Cassell as teammates.

A few days ago, the Clippers played the Celtics in Boston. Cassell dropped a WWE forearm to the head of Rajon Rondo, the Celtics’ current starting point guard. Grudges won’t be held from this incident. But it doesn’t make Cassell joining Boston and taking Rondo’s minutes easier.

For a number of reasons, Cassell in Boston is far from a done deal. The Celtics might want to consider other options.

Should Boston sign Cassell? Get at us in the comment box below. The AM Take is Oly’s morning thoughts on the NBA appearing Sunday through Friday on HoopsVibe.com. Errors can be attributed to the time and his need for another coffee. Click here to read and subscribe to his blog.

Comments (5)
lord of the rings February 11, 2008
No Guarantee For Gollum: Why The Boston Celtics Could Be Nervous About Sam Cassell
after what he did to rondo, I think they'll pass on him
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gm 4 hire February 11, 2008
No Guarantee For Gollum: Why The Boston Celtics Could Be Nervous About Sam Cassell
Cassel would be a good fit for the C's for a year just like payton for the heat.The CELTICS are doing the same thing miami did a couple years back.. All these BAD max contracts. A couple years from noe they will be a lottery team all over again and al Jefferson and the timberwolves will be contending in the west. Bad ju ju but there having a hellaluva year thats all that matters now a days!!
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FFDEW February 11, 2008
No Guarantee For Gollum: Why The Boston Celtics Could Be Nervous About Sam Cassell
they shouldnt go for cassel but fcr a true back up gaurd they can try and get Jason Williams or someone like Luke ridnour that is a pure pointman but evrythin is workin good Rondo is great i think he can handle the playoffs
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Harry Cochran February 12, 2008
No Guarantee For Gollum: Why The Boston Celtics Could Be Nervous About Sam Cassell
GP is still available. The Glove still fits folks
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big wee aka pete February 22, 2008
No Guarantee For Gollum: Why The Boston Celtics Could Be Nervous About Sam Cassell
they take casel because brings plaoff savey and we are going to need that come playoff time going up agaist the top east teams
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