Every day we’re taking one active NBA star with at least arguable Hall of Fame credentials and breaking down his chances of getting into the Springfield, Mass., hoops mecca. We’re looking at not just past accomplishments, but also how a player’s career realistically projects for the future. For a full explanation of the process, click here. Today’s candidate: Sam Cassell.
SAM CASSELL (15th year, Clippers/Wolves/Bucks/Nets/Mavs/Suns/Rockets)
16.0 points, 6.1 assists, 1.1 steals per game
Why: One of the game’s standout clutch performers over the last 15 years, Sam has an impressive list of big-time shots on his resume — a few of which helped him win two NBA championships with the Rockets in his first two seasons in the League. Cassell also guided the ‘01 Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals, the ‘04 Wolves to the Western Conference Finals, and made a conference semis run with the ‘06 Clippers. In total, he’s made 10 playoff appearances in his 14 seasons going into this one, and in that time regularly improved his numbers in the postseason. Cassell has moved around a lot during his career, but almost every team he’s gone to has improved upon his arrival.
Why not: As good as he’s been, Cassell has only made one All-Star team (in 2004 with Minnesota). That same year he also made his only All-NBA appearance, as a second-teamer. Sam’s numbers are good but not great, and how many Hall of Famers have been traded as often as he has? Similar to Robert Horry, he’s rarely been a genuine star in the League, and Cassell’s two rings don’t match Horry’s seven.
Our call: OUT
The H.O.F. Watch archive
11/12 - LeBron James
11/9 - Tim Duncan
11/8 - Steve Nash
11/7 - Yao Ming
11/6 - Gilbert Arenas
11/5 - Robert Horry
11/2 - Kobe Bryant
11/1 - Grant Hill
10/31 - Dirk Nowitzki
10/30 - Tony Parker
10/29 - Elton Brand
10/26 - Carmelo Anthony
10/25 - Vince Carter
10/24 - Penny Hardaway
10/23 - Alonzo Mourning
10/22 - Allen Iverson
10/19 - Dwyane Wade
10/18 - Chauncey Billups
10/17 - Stephon Marbury
10/16 - Jason Kidd
10/15 - Shawn Marion
10/12 - Ray Allen
10/11 - Chris Bosh
10/10 - Chris Webber
10/9 - Paul Pierce
10/5 - Jermaine O’Neal
10/4 - Gary Payton
10/3 - Tracy McGrady
Related posts:
November 13th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
fiyaman says:
Cassell is in ..same reasons for Horry being in. PLus great leader and heart. he would probably make every team better.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Duke says:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dHZhKKkmW_w
have you guys seen that interview?
November 13th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Gee says:
No he has not set himself apart enough. He is not mentioned in the greatest guards of all time discussion. Horry has more rings and is known and set apart for doing something in particular.
Sam is great but he is not “known” for anything in particular that would make him above the rest or even an argument for something like MVP or best of this or that.
Don’t get me wrong he can play the hell out of some ball, has heart and all that. You have to set your self apart to make the hall and Sam has not done that.
This hurts.
Really hurts.
But Sam is out.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Gee says:
Dang where everyone at? LOL.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Gregg says:
Sam I Am.
He does make his teams better. He’s a baller. I can see him playing YMCA ball and busting young bucks. Personally I don’t think he’s in. But he’s got the court savvy. He’s the best active trash talker in the league (sorry GP but you’re not playing anymore). I still remember him running back on the court after a big shot jumping around and pretending that he’s carrying giant balls. Personally I’d take him over Starbury any day.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Lucky Lester says:
I’d definitely take him over Starbury, that’s a great call, Gregg. I don’t think he’s in though. Doesn’t John Paxon also have a couple rings? I just don’t think getting rings puts you in the Hall, and I don’t think Robert is an HOFer either - but he sure has won them rings, he’s just never been one of the top 20 players in the NBA - ever. Should a guy who can’t even get on the bench for the Top 20 game every single season he’s been in the league go to the HOF? He won rings? Yep, he has 7, and for playing well in the playoffs, he has 7 rings - he shouldn’t get a bonus HOF entry… Sam is better than Horry - and probably just as clutch, just not as many chances in big games. Anyway - I dig the Alien Head - but he’s out in my opinion.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Sammy Cassell….hmmm. A toughy. But I really don’t see Sam as having enough credentials to make the Hall. He weight is on two rings he won in his first two seasons. Thats pretty much all he has.
Cassell is a baller. No one seems to have more fun on the court than Sam. But HOF’er? I know we all like Sam and appreciate his game; but what has he really done in 13yrs to get in?
November 13th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
naphi says:
i was actually going to suggest Cassell yesterday after his 2 early 30 pieces while being a limping dinosaur. he’s done some great things in his career for him to have a case but i don’t think he’ll be in. not enough stamps on the league in this 14 years.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Lou Spliff says:
Sam has one of the highest basketball IQs in the NBA and does make his teams better. The problem is, as Gee pointed out, he has not set himself apart from other more deserving guards. Only one all star appearance, and his mediocre career numbers hurt his cause. True he has been a key part of many playoff runs but his name does not come up when speaking of great guards. I don’t think at any point in his career that anybody would have considered him as one the top 5 point guards in the NBA. Besides, dude is freaky looking. Sorry Sam but it’s true. My call: OUT.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
smity says:
Its too bad. One of my favorite players of all time. Gregg, i remember what your’e talking about. that was in minnesota. He probably wasnt pretending though, he probably does have big balls (No Cam’ron). You all remember his reeboks, the white and black striped joints? wow, i would definately rock those now. I’m surprised that he’s only averaged 16…Probably won’t get in the HOF but people will always remember him…I’m not in favor of the “if horry doesnt get in then cassell doesnt” arguement though, only cause Cassell has helped carry teams before (offensively)…
November 13th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
smity says:
H.O.(E.T.)F.—Sam Cassell, Tyrone Hill, Shelden Williams…
November 13th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Charles-K says:
Jeez, i dunno, I don’t think that having a good career with a couple of rings makes you a HOFer. I mean, yeah rings are great, but all sorts of randoms and even good randoms have a few rings, does Ginobli make the HOF? Does Fisher? I would have to put him in that category of a memorable player, who won’t be forgotten in circles of people who follow the game, but not a true HOFer. Also, if you look at the numbers, which are just solid, only one all-star appearance(and that towards the end of his career) you really have to say that he is OUT.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
jnuh says:
Out.
Plus, he’s ugly.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
dre in o town says:
why did the rockets win those two years??? Sam Cassell??? Hell no!!! Hakeem, Ellie, Drexler, Horry, Maxwell ring any bells? He was young at the time. Wheres he been at since? Finals, twice. So have alot of other players whos names we don’t know. Potato head definetly gets a … NO!
November 13th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
smity says:
Actually, the Rockets won those two years cause Mike was out of the league…
November 13th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Actually, Mike was back in the league when the Rockets won their 2nd chip.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
sam says:
someone needs to rip that kid in the cassel interview a new one.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Damn! I like Sam Cassell and Dre, if you missed it, Sam was cold-hearted as a rookie and actually did contribute to the rings. Dude was like 24 yrs old comin in, he was already a man. He is the anti-Marbury. Yo, Dime, could you verify if Steph went AWOL cuz Isiah wants to start Mardy Collins? Heard that on my lunchbreak. Anyways, I mean anti-marbury cuz every team Sam went to improved and like was stated earlier, all-star games don’t mean jack cuz Sam is just this generation’s Rod Strickland, where he did enough to win games and put up solid numbers, but never got on all the all-star teams he deserved.Before Minny, Sam Cassell was the best player in the league to have never made an all-star team. He’d have 10 points and 5 assists by the fourth, then if his team needed it, he’d take over and finish with 23 and 10 and the win. Great clutch shooter.
So, I’m givin him my vote cuz he’s a winner and no point guard in the league can ever say that they ever busted Sam, but I watched games where he made GP, Baron, Kidd, billups and the league’s just look like kids. Only hall of Famers kill you with a grin on the grill
November 13th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
smity says:
Actually,…thanks myrie
November 13th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Dikembe Mutumbo says:
DO ME!!!
November 14th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Big10 says:
I *LOOOOOVE* Sam Cassell…..but I still think he’s out.
That’s too bad, because he’s what you want in a basketball player — he made EVERY team he was on better. Clutch shots. Great attitude, heart, and effort. Great sense of humor. Plus, when he’s on a roll, he can light up ANY opposing guard in the NBA, even in his late 30s.
If he could be a key contributor to a team for just ONE MORE ring (or an NBA Finalist) before he retires, I’d put him in the Hall. But, I know that’s not gonna happen with the Clippers, and who knows if Sam will get traded at this point in his career. Hey, couldn’t the Celtics use a veteran point guard like Sam?
November 14th, 2007 at 12:07 am
girllybballluver says:
LOL @ all the names you guys called Cassell in these posts. That’s just not nice, but I sure am glad you guys saved me the trouble from saying it.
Question: does he have any relation to chauncey billups, they look an awful lot alike?
Oh yea, he’s out!! He won two rings his first two years in the league thanks to the efforts of the veterans on his team, and nothing really remarkable since.
November 14th, 2007 at 12:42 am
2 Easy says:
If he coulda made that Bucks squad into a championship contender or at least finalists he would have a good possibilty of gettin in. He and Horry were surprisin contributors to those Rocket’s titles. I understand the argument people are tryin to make about him and Horry but reality is Horry has literally made a name for himself by hittin those shots and the fact that he has more rings than the best dude to ever play the game helps his case. Sam just is memorable cause of his uncanny resemblance to ET and his amazin ability to back up his hectic talks
November 14th, 2007 at 6:43 am
almighty says:
He’s anoying and ugly but he’ll get in, for sure.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:31 am
wat_helmet says:
sam won’t get in with his current merits, however if he can stay in the nba as a coach with a winning record… he’s in
i think many of you forget sam has vast coaching potential something that is counted in the hof too
November 14th, 2007 at 9:36 am
dagwaller says:
What Gee said in his first post.
Smity, that’s a pretty good HO(ET)F. Did you guys ever see the website where they bust on all the ugly NBAers? And they have entire families of players where they just photoshopped the one guys face 6 times? I wish I had that site still…
November 14th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Ian says:
sam is out heas real good but hes out
btw jordan was in the league in 95 stop bitching about the only reason rockets won is because mj retired
hakeem vs longley LOL puh please
November 14th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Dan says:
Really borderline. He was extremely clutch in the finals for the Rockets both seasons, including some huge games-more critical than Horry to those teams IMO. His teams were always better and competed better because of him. The man and the player have always been bigger than his stats. He represents something in the game and world of basketball. On the other hand, his defense has never been much better than average.
I say, let’s see what he does from here on out–I doubt he’s done. If I had to choose now, I’d say IN (and Horry OUT)
November 14th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
DOC says:
hes a beast but not hof material.
November 14th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Russ says:
Actually, he hit just as many clutch shots(if not more) as horry in those finals with the rockets.
But as far a sHOF goes..I don’t know. Definately makes it in the HALL Of VERY GOOD…..
Some great clutch shots as mentioned..the unguardable baseline fadeaway…..gives people buckets….teams are always successful after his arrival.
I guess I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more from the assist’s end, or score a few more ppg per game.
I’m not sure I’d put the lack of all star appearances as a knock on him, I think part of that was always playing in conferences loaded with heavy guard talent during his prime years.
Hurts me to say, but I guess he’s out.
November 14th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Michael says:
Sam is definitely better than Horry, and in those two championships with the Rockets he was EXTREMELY clutch. And it is difficult to fault a man that everywhere he goes he makes everyone else better. No question that is a sign of greatness.
His game is certainly better than the numbers would indicate, and he is one the great basketball personalities of all time. My guess is that if you polled the players he would get in. Short of that he is probably out, unless he brings home a ring or NBA finals appearance in the final years of his career.
Funny thing, had the Clippers won the conference semi’s a couple of years back, we would probably not even be questioning his HOF credentials.
November 15th, 2007 at 12:02 am
Russ says:
yeah yeah mike was ‘in the league in ‘95′.. except you forgot to mention that wasn’t until 17 games were left in the season.
I think it’s fair to say had he played the entire year and actually been in basketball shape and re-developed the chemistry they had 2 years prior things might have been a bit different.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:30 am
nikko says:
He would definitely be in if we were talkin about the hall of ugly
November 15th, 2007 at 8:49 am
whogry says:
You guys seriously need to stop about the only one All star appearance.First of all it’s not a big deal and he couldn’t get in because theres a are quite a few number of players who will be in all star games until they are retired or dead.
This is the most funny and frustating part of the HOF because even tough he’s a class player with guts/heart he will not be in the HOF because he spent too many years playing for bad/loosing teams.You surround him with players like say Nash has, for as long a period of time and he would have truly shined.
Cassell is the classic complementary player, same as Pippen was.Alone they will be known as solid players but not superstars.You only get their full benefits if you pair them with complementary superstars.Case in point….Cassell’s first year with KG.KG wins MVP, Sam I am makes first All Star appearance,Minny makes it out of the first round for the first time to the WCF Finals.Just imagine if KG and Cassell were together for about 4-5 years in his prime.Having said all that…. sad but he will be out.
November 15th, 2007 at 8:57 am
whogry says:
And for the record I will take Jose Calderon over the knucklehead last seen missing a layup at the buzzer.LMAO..kudos for that Dime.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Ian says:
yeah 17 games
but stop dreaming and stop playing the lets imagine game
he was there houston won
thats what happened
hes might be the greatest but stop talking like he won since 86 and with the wizards
November 15th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Big10 says:
Russ, just GIVE UP about Jordan in ‘95….”if” he was in shape, “if” he had more chemistry, “if” he played more games, blah, blah, blah….
The FACT is that Jordan had game shape, chemistry, etc., in 1992, and Drexler’s Blazers STILL took Jordan to 6 games — with guys like Kevin Duckworth and Buck Williams and Jerome Kersey in the middle. In 1995, Drexler had HAKEEM OLAJUWON in the middle, plus solid contributors like Cassell, Robert Horry, Kenny Smith, and Mario Elie around him. So, don’t act like it’s automatic that a healthy MJ would have beaten that Rockets team. Geez. By the way, remember that Rockets team SWEPT the Magic (with Shaq & Penny Hardaway) in 4 games in 1995.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Sacto J says:
First off, Horry will not be getting in unless its on the strength of his similarity to resembling Will Smith. Horry has rings cuz he’s lightweight on the coat-tails. He doesn’t weigh you down, and once in a while contributes something substantial. Cassell, on the other hand, is a consistently good pg, who made significant contributions to his teams all season long, not just in the play-offs. The only problem is that I don’t believe they allow visitors from other planets in the hall. Sorry Sam. Time to get back on the Mothership…..