Slam Dunk Central

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There is no doubt that the Celtics signing Sam Cassell will help the team in many ways. He owns two NBA championship rings, so he adds that championship swagger to the team (James Posey is the only other player on the roster to win a NBA title). Cassell has a great relationship with Kevin Garnett from their days in Minnesota , so at least we know he will blend in with the team?s best player. He is as intelligent a player as there is in the Association. And he thrives in the waning moments of close games.

But at what cost will all of these advantages come? Cassell isn?t healthy enough to log 30-35 minute games anymore, so Rajon Rondo will play most of each game, before presumably sitting on the bench as Cassell plays the key minutes. How will this affect Rondo?s development? Rondo has improved dramatically from last season, and even from the beginning of this season. Will he be mature enough to accept that he is basically setting up the table for Cassell to eat off of? And how will the team chemistry accept two different point guards in different situations of each ballgame?

Obviously every team has multiple point guards play every game, but in this case, the team will have obvious points in the game when Rondo and Cassell will play. If Rondo and crew are in a rhythm heading into the stretch run of a particular game, will coach Doc Rivers take out Rondo and insert Cassell just for the sake of putting him in a clutch situation? Or will Rivers recognize that Rondo is playing well enough that he should ride him out? Rivers has proven before that he isn?t the greatest tactician. The Celtics have a chance to be title contenders for at least the next few seasons with Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce still relatively young. Cassell?s signing might bring in immediate rewards, but it could cost the team in its development of their young point guard