Let's go easy on Cassell!

[gpap]

...I am starting to get the feeling that if most Celtics fans had it their way, Rajon Rondo would be the only Celtic player on the court, that he would be the starting center, guard, foward, manager, trainer, official, ball boy, etc. 

And then everyone gets on Doc's back for taking away those "valuable" Rondo minutes that I made a thread about months ago and giving them to Sam Cassell.  So what? I don't blame him.  9 out of 10 times, you give the ball to the more experienced player in a clutch situation, NOT, I repeat, NOT the rookie that has absolutely NO playoff experience.

Look, I am not knocking Rondo. This season he was great and did a better job than expected at being a point guard of a veteran team and helped lead the C's to a 66 win season.  However, Rondo is also not this amazing phenom that everyone is making him out to be. At least not yet.

I just get this feeling that most fans absolutely every step Rondo makes and that people will get on Cassell, or Ray Allen or KG or anyone else if something goes wrong, as long as it isn't Rondo.  Yes, we know New Englanders LOVE their young players.

However, it's also important to note that Rondo has also turned the ball over alot and is very reckless.

That's my vent during this painful, first-round playoff experience.

[EJPLAYA]

...I am starting to get the feeling that if most Celtics fans had it their way, Rajon Rondo would be the only Celtic player on the court, that he would be the starting center, guard, foward, manager, trainer, official, ball boy, etc. 

And then everyone gets on Doc's back for taking away those "valuable" Rondo minutes that I made a thread about months ago and giving them to Sam Cassell.  So what? I don't blame him.  9 out of 10 times, you give the ball to the more experienced player in a clutch situation, NOT, I repeat, NOT the rookie that has absolutely NO playoff experience.

Look, I am not knocking Rondo. This season he was great and did a better job than expected at being a point guard of a veteran team and helped lead the C's to a 66 win season.  However, Rondo is also not this amazing phenom that everyone is making him out to be. At least not yet.

I just get this feeling that most fans absolutely every step Rondo makes and that people will get on Cassell, or Ray Allen or KG or anyone else if something goes wrong, as long as it isn't Rondo.  Yes, we know New Englanders LOVE their young players.

However, it's also important to note that Rondo has also turned the ball over alot and is very reckless.

That's my vent during this painful, first-round playoff experience.

No, it would just be that Sam wouldn't be the first choice off the bench. It would be House like has worked so well all year long. If House was off, then give Sam a try.

When Rondo got yanked last night Sam came in and did absolutely nothing. If you look at the guys stats since becoming a Celtic and ignored who he once was, you wouldn't want this guy on the team, let alone off the bench. Sam has done nothing as a Celtic to deserve going easy on him. Where is the thread of "let's go easy on Scal"?!

[BASSTHUMPER]

naw brother...scalabrine and mr ed house...

i dont hate sammy nor love him..i dont know hm well enogh to have feelins for him  but i've seen what eddie can do...i seen what sammy does...eddie stands out more in mny mind..

[fan33]

IIRC (and I do), Rondo @ the half with the same minutes as Sam whs stats were No T.O.s 2/7 shooting 3 assists, vs. Rondo had 3 T.O., 3/8 shooting and 2 assists. Sams most important contrubution was no T.O.s IMO, highly important stat! We do need to rebound those missed shots and box out on the other board, would go a long way to offsetting shooting slumps. Which I will add, offensive rebounds happens better with jump shooting... They both had equally poor shooting stats. But remember too, Rondo isn't simply pouting on the bench if he's smart, and I think he is, you can see things from that vantage point too, which is of value!!!

It isn't an either / or issue in my mind; In fact I'll bet both Rondo and Cassell have simultanously high percentage shooting performances tommorow, and both take good care of the ball, with these adjustments and another game to execute it in!

[Shamrock]

I'll admit - I was glad when Danny Ainge brought in Cassell - but now I cringe every time he is on the floor.

He plays no defense.

He takes way too long to distribute the ball - so we end up settling for jumpers - no one gets to the net - therefore no fouls.

Rondo pushes the pace faster then anyone and makes a great pass immediately.  Better things happen when he is on the floor - we have more time and more opportunity to make something good happen.

Cassell is a great offensive player - but lately that has come in streaks.  When he's hot - it's great - but when he's not - it's painful.

Bring back House & Tony Allen - the guys that helped us earn 66 wins.

 

[Bankshot]

People should be more hard on Doc, not Cassell.  Doc doesn't HAVE to play him, but he does.  He's even letting Cassell cut into Rondo's minutes.   Rondo playing only 28 minutes in the last game?  Dumb!

[Shamrock]

People should be more hard on Doc, not Cassell.  Doc doesn't HAVE to play him, but he does.  He's even letting Cassell cut into Rondo's minutes.   Rondo playing only 28 minutes in the last game?  Dumb!

That's so true - reminds me of last year when Doc prioritized Telfair over Rondo. 

I haven't checked the stats - but if memory serves me - at least two losses to Atlanta Rondo only had 28 minutes.  We're not going to win with Rondo on the bench.

[gpap]

People should be more hard on Doc, not Cassell.  Doc doesn't HAVE to play him, but he does.  He's even letting Cassell cut into Rondo's minutes.   Rondo playing only 28 minutes in the last game?  Dumb!

Bankshot and Shamrock: You two are still missing the point. Rondo doesn't have to play a certain amount for the Celtics to win a game. I do understand the assertions other readers made about playing T. Allen and House more off the bench instead of Cassell.  After all, Tony and Eddie did help us win 66 games.

However, the idea or feeling that if Rondo JUST HAS TO PLAY 1,000 minutes a game for the Celtics to win is IMO, laughable. Rondo is a great player with great speed and athleticism. I guess I just fee like he's being a bit overvalued by Celtics fans.

Anyway, here's hoping to a victory tomorrow night and elimination of the
one-dimensional Cavs.  Go Green!!

[BASSTHUMPER]

ainge and rivers see sumthin in sammy that i have yet to see...he comes off the bench unwrappin himself like a mummy and then hits 2 shots out of 8 then doc bench him again...it's sumthin they like so i guess i'll trust ainge n rivers...

[jay_jay54]

naw brother...scalabrine and mr ed house...

i dont hate sammy nor love him..i dont know hm well enogh to have feelins for him  but i've seen what eddie can do...i seen what sammy does...eddie stands out more in mny mind..

I agree with you here Bass...House help get us here,thats what i witness,and not Sammy doing it.I can't say much positve things to Sammy's case.I always go with money in the bank,proven winners or people who brought you this far.

[crownsy]

People should be more hard on Doc, not Cassell.  Doc doesn't HAVE to play him, but he does.  He's even letting Cassell cut into Rondo's minutes.   Rondo playing only 28 minutes in the last game?  Dumb!

the other games i have a problem with the minutes, can't really fault doc for not playing rajon alot in the second half of a 30 point blowout after he got slammed down though.

what would that have proved?

[Greeny]

I think the Cassell rumors and trade has set a fire under Rondo.

If you look back before the ALL STAR break, People including myself were bashing Rondo and his lack of stats per game. (assists,points,rebounds...)

Since Rondo was out when he got hurt, he came back like a totally different player not afraid to shot or attack the hoop.
His defense became a showcase for his talents.

Rondo turned the corner just like Perkins did and the C's are looking great for the next 3-4 years...
Cassell is there as a security blanket, and as a veteran who was the first to jump into the pile when it got ugly with KG.

[crownsy]

People should be more hard on Doc, not Cassell.  Doc doesn't HAVE to play him, but he does.  He's even letting Cassell cut into Rondo's minutes.   Rondo playing only 28 minutes in the last game?  Dumb!

Bankshot and Shamrock: You two are still missing the point. Rondo doesn't have to play a certain amount for the Celtics to win a game. I do understand the assertions other readers made about playing T. Allen and House more off the bench instead of Cassell.  After all, Tony and Eddie did help us win 66 games.

However, the idea or feeling that if Rondo JUST HAS TO PLAY 1,000 minutes a game for the Celtics to win is IMO, laughable. Rondo is a great player with great speed and athleticism. I guess I just fee like he's being a bit overvalued by Celtics fans.

Anyway, here's hoping to a victory tomorrow night and elimination of the
one-dimensional Cavs.  Go Green!!

considering you can make a strong case that games 4 and 6 were harmed when doc went to a bench lineup that included cassell and gave up a 14 and 10 point lead respectively, i don't see how.

when rondo is on the floor we run and are aggressive, when sam is on the floor we walk and try not to let them destroy us off the dribble.

there's a huge defensive drop off with sam in the game.

[CoachCowens]

People should be more hard on Doc, not Cassell.  Doc doesn't HAVE to play him, but he does.  He's even letting Cassell cut into Rondo's minutes.   Rondo playing only 28 minutes in the last game?  Dumb!

the other games i have a problem with the minutes, can't really fault doc for not playing rajon alot in the second half of a 30 point blowout after he got slammed down though.

what would that have proved?

Bankshot's statement was after game 6 not 7

[crownsy]

ah, my bad should have checked the timestamp more carefully