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Before the trade deadline ended, many expected the undermanned
Boston Celtics to make a few personnel moves to bolster their bench.
While they have three All-Stars in their line-up, they are
surrounded by young players that simply do not have enough
experience. For instance, their other two starters Kendrick Perkins
(4 years) and Rajon Rondo (2 years) have been thrust into the
spotlight since the team gave up a lot of players for Kevin Garnett
and Ray Allen.
Recently, they acquired two veterans to give
them more depth in forward-center P.J. Brown and guard Sam Cassell.
Brown is a journeyman who has averaged about 9 points and 8 rebounds
throughout his career. Brown gives the Celtics another post defender
and rebounder to assist Garnett, especially when he is shooting
those outside jumpers. Cassell, meanwhile, gives Boston another
scorer and a court leader during crunch time.
After the announcement that Cassell was
acquired by Boston, there were many negative reactions from fans of
the white and green. The knock on Sam was that he is a hog and would
stop movement even if he has three primary options to pass the ball
to. Also, he is perceived to make bad judgments (e.g. tossing a
three-pointer on a fastbreak) even when the game is on the line.
However, I disagree with this assessment mainly
for to reasons. First, at 38 years-old, Cassell has battled through
many wars and would probably like to end his career on a high note.
Anyone would savor a shot at another ring (Cassell has two).
Secondly, he is joining three unselfish superstars who have
sacrificed individual awards to make the Celtics the number one team
in the league. They have enough clout to at least rein in Cassell.
With this in mind, I see him getting on board quickly.
With Cassell off the bench, the Celtics can
afford to rest their starters more and bring instant firepower to
the court. Even at his age, Sam can still score 20 points or more on
any given night (he has had two thirty point games this season with
the Los Angeles Clippers). He can also dish it out averaging just
under 5 assists per game.
Cassell joins a second unit that may be composed
of James Posey, Eddie House, Leon Powe and P.J. Brown. A decent
enough team that the Celtics can use during stretches especially
when they have a big lead.
Cassell is expected to join the Celtics in their
next game versus the Chicago Bulls. The next few games will tell if
Cassell, indeed, will jell with his new team and become a boon or a
bane to the Celtics’ quest for their 17th championship.
Please e-mail your comments and suggestions to:
SIDELINES. I wish to congratulate two of my
friends from Petron Corporation namely Jason D. Soberano and
Kristofferson F. Dimaano who are getting married to their respective
fiancés this month.
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