Sam Cassell: A Student of the Game Evolves into A Teacher

I have always enjoyed watching Sam Cassell, in no small part because it is apparent that he takes very seriously what Steve Young would call the "craft" of playing his sport. Relative to top NBA players, Cassell never possessed great size, speed or jumping ability, yet he has always been able to get off--and make--his shot in pressure situations. Cassell won two championship rings in his first two seasons as a point guard for the Houston Rockets and he later developed into an All-Star guard who played a big role in leading first Milwaukee and then Minnesota to the Conference Finals in 2001 and 2004 respectively. Cassell also guided the L.A. Clippers to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade as L.A.'s "other" team posted the second best regular season record in franchise history in 2005-06. Last season, the Clippers bought out Cassell's contract and he joined the Boston Celtics, winning his third championship ring.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Cassell about some of these subjects and you can read the wide ranging interview at Pro Basketball News:

Sam Cassell: Once Student, Now Teacher