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Cassell Could Spur Rondo?s Development, Team?s Chemistry

Posted by Kyle Stack under Main 

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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



Comments

One Response to “Cassell Could Spur Rondo?s Development, Team?s Chemistry”

  1. Russ Loede on March 5th, 2008 1:48 pm

    This Move Bringing In Cassell Will Only Reap Benefits And Is A Win-Win Situation For Both Cassell And Will Only Make Rondo That Much Better Along With The Entire Team In General. Cassell like you said brings that “Championship Swagger” and being a Houston Rockets fan and seing him win games and knock down key buckets during stretches in the 4th quarter of crucial moments - Cassell may help put Boston over the hump and give them a PG that can answer Billups and play the best PG’s tough. This Gets ‘EM Closer to the Detroit Pistons, arguably the best team in the NBA. Cassell also is another fresh body off the bench and they needed to counter Detroit’s DEEP 2nd Unit, because it makes all the difference in a 7-game series. This Boston team is all about WINNING RIGHT NOW and Cassell could be the “Final Piece” to a Championship Puzzle.

    Russ

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