Cassell's big mouth

[gar]

Cassell's announcement that he would be signing for this year and coaching next year was over a week ago. Not saying it's not happening; but don't know how much patience the C's have since this is not the first time he has blabbed to the media potentially at the expense of sensitive negotiations (not just his contract but also trade scenarios that that have been rumored since that time).

Also not sure how much his teammates appreciate his getting in their face. Is hard to tell sometimes. Anyone have any concrete statements to support the assumption in may posts that just because he is vocal he is a "good locker room presence". Given the disposition of Danny and the other members of the coaching staff, they seem to be as close to the Bill Belichick mold as you will find in the NBA (With the exception of Doc).

[BudweiserCeltic]

Don't know about the signing aspect, but I know that Danny at least confirmed that they're under negotiations for him as a player.

As for the teammate aspect, let's play the other side of it. Do you have concrete statements or evidence that his big mouth causes trouble in the locker room? Makes no sense to me to start assuming stuff about people and their relationships.

I know that Rondo has complemented Sam quite a few times for his "teachings". Doc has complemented Sam quite a few times for teaching his young pointguards saying stuff like "Sam is quite valuable because it allows me to spend less time worrying and coaching the young pointguards and I can focus on other aspects of the game". Paul Pierce attributed some of his playoff success, especially the big game against LeBron, to some drills and practices he did with Sam. Garnett has been a teammate of his in the past, and he played a big role in bringing him last year. Heck, Sam even stayed with him. With the Clippers, you'd often see the players going towards Sam for directions instead of the coach.

[ForexPirate]

i would rather see them sign him as asst coach this year.  Then if needed due to injury or whatever sign him as a player during the season - 10 day contracts or rest of the year contracts - whatever the situation dictates.  This can be a best of both worlds situation for both the player and the team.

[gar]

Don't know about the signing aspect, but I know that Danny at least confirmed that they're under negotiations for him as a player.

As for the teammate aspect, let's play the other side of it. Do you have concrete statements or evidence that his big mouth causes trouble in the locker room? Makes no sense to me to start assuming stuff about people and their relationships.

I know that Rondo has complemented Sam quite a few times for his "teachings". Doc has complemented Sam quite a few times for teaching his young pointguards saying stuff like "Sam is quite valuable because it allows me to spend less time worrying and coaching the young pointguards and I can focus on other aspects of the game". Paul Pierce attributed some of his playoff success, especially the big game against LeBron, to some drills and practices he did with Sam. Garnett has been a teammate of his in the past, and he played a big role in bringing him last year. Heck, Sam even stayed with him. With the Clippers, you'd often see the players going towards Sam for directions instead of the coach.

Thanks, That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Not ripping him; just wondering if his big mouth was an asset or a liability. Glad there is evidence to point to his positives. Also agree that would have preferred to lock him up as a coach and bring him onto the roster if needed. The fact that Danny made a point that they wanted him as a player and was downplaying the coaching part, is what made me question how valuable he would be - but as you say, I may have been reading negatives into the situation where none were implied.