Cassell say "I'll be starting"

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... r_starter/

Orange County Register - Sam Cassell was looking for some understanding. He thinks he got it Wednesday from Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy. With that, Cassell took his physical and looked forward to his new start with the Clippers.

"I had to get some things straight before I came out here," said Cassell, whom the Clippers acquired Aug.12 from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a sign-and-trade deal involving guard Marko Jaric.

The Clippers tentatively scheduled Cassell to come to Los Angeles four days after the trade. But Cassell did not consider himself on board until he had a discussion with Dunleavy regarding his role.

Though indications are that second-year player Shaun Livingston will be the starting point guard this season, Cassell has a different opinion.

"I'll be starting at the one (point guard)," said Cassell, who will be 36 two weeks into the coming season. "Shaun's going to be good one day, but he's not ready for this right now. I can't come off the bench for this team. If this team had a certified All-Star in front of me, then I could understand that. But that's not the case. I realize that Shaun is the future point guard for this team, but what am I supposed to do, lay down? If that's the case, then I shouldn't be here."

Will this create problems?

Livingston isn't ready to start anyways, I don't see what the issue is.

Livingston isn't ready to start anyways, I don't see what the issue is.

Maybe the coach thinks diffrent?

I do see his point.

Livingston isn't ready to start anyways, I don't see what the issue is.

although he isn't ready to start, when you are playing behind a proven veteran that can help the team right now, your playing time can decrease significantly limiting your chances of improving and thats what i think dunleavy is concerned about. if cassell is the starting point guard and the team record is better with him playing more minutes, he still needs to develop livingston but has no way to justify him playing time unless livingston improves on his own

Livingston isn't ready to start anyways, I don't see what the issue is.

I don't know, the team did very well when he started last year, and he showed great leadership and ability to run a team. People automatically assume every young player isn't ready to start, but that isn't really true.

he did show flashes of greatness the few times he did make it out onto the floor... I wathced a lot of the Clips at the end of the season with Livingston in.. he was pretty solid.

plus, if Cassell starts, there goes my secret weapon for fantasy NBA

What the fuck is going on with Cassell. He used to be a really nice guy. Sudenlly, he went crazy, talking some bullshit and pretending he's a God given PG. Pffu.

cuz he is with the clippers is why. First "bad" team he has been with. Who wants to get traded from a team with a top 3 NBA player to a team that hasn't seen the playoffs more than 10 times in their history?

actually he was on the Nets and they sucked.

that aside, as long as Elton Brand gets the ball everything will be OK.

Well i understand if cassell starts for this season and livingston comes off the bench as the sixth man , but no doubt about it , next year livingston will start.

What the fuck is going on with Cassell. He used to be a really nice guy. Sudenlly, he went crazy, talking some bullshit and pretending he's a God given PG. Pffu.

I agree. While Cassell has a point, I hate to see players display the egotism and attitude that he has since the trade to the Clippers. The way he's acting, it doesn't exactly suggest maturity or veteran leadership, qualities one might expect from him.

yeah, i'll never like sam cassell. maybe its just his alien-like face. but his ego has SKYROCKETED ever since they reached the conference finals.

i didn't like this trade from the start. this guy is going to hurt the development of the clips' future. i woulda wanted livingston to start, with a good vet to back him up. say 20 minutes or 25 minutes a game starting, with backup points. with arrogant cassell there to "tutor" him, i don think this'll help him out. he's almost the exact opposite of sam (higher assists, more team orientated, catch and shoot at this point and doesnt really look for scoring as much as passing; cassell can only create his own jumpshot and runs a team, but doesnt enjoy passing).

lets hope that cassell gets hurt midseason and livingston stays healthy enough to start the rest of the 2nd half.