November 2, 2007
WALTHAM - This "Big Three" thing is nothing new to Celtics newcomers Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Allen was part of a star trio with Sam Cassell and Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson with the Bucks, and Garnett teamed with Cassell and Latrell Sprewell with the Timberwolves.
Considering Cassell's ties to Garnett and Allen, there probably isn't anyone more knowledgeable about what to expect from the Garnett-Allen-Paul Pierce combination this season. In a recent telephone interview, Cassell said Garnett, Allen, and Pierce should be a powerful trio with championship potential. Garnett and Allen will make their Celtics regular-season debuts tonight against Washington at TD Banknorth Garden.
"It's a great move for Boston," said Cassell, now a Clippers guard. "They got the right coach [Doc Rivers] for those guys. I'm happy Kevin is getting a great fresh start. I didn't think he could do anything more in Minnesota. I don't think the organization wanted to have the personality Kevin wanted.
"Ray? You get 20 points of scoring every day from him. If Ray Allen has 6 points at halftime, he will finish with 20. He can shoot the basketball and he can make open shots. Paul Pierce with eight seconds left is a guy you can go to and is one of the best scorers in the league. He can post up. When Kevin's out, the other two will need to be in. Two of those guys will need to be in all the time."
When Cassell was dealt from the Nets to the Bucks March 11, 1999, in a lockout-shortened season, a star trio of Allen, Cassell, and Robinson was born.
"We were the original Big Three, let's get that clear. People said there weren't enough shots," Cassell said.
With Allen, Cassell, and Robinson given little time to jell, the Bucks were swept in the first round of the playoffs by Indiana in '99. Allen averaged 22.1 points, Robinson 20.9, and Cassell 18.6 during the 1999-2000 season, but the Bucks went just 42-40 and were eliminated in five games in the first round by Indiana. Allen and Robinson both averaged 22 points and Cassell 18.2 as the Bucks improved to 52 wins and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in 2000-01.
The Bucks' Big Three continued to score well, but didn't make the playoffs in 2002. The 2001-02 season was the end for the trio in Milwaukee, as Robinson was dealt to Atlanta in the summer of 2002, Allen was traded to Seattle Feb. 20, 2003, and Cassell was shipped to Minnesota in the summer of 2003. Cassell said he and Allen had great conversations while lockering next to each other, and the three never had any major issues.
"It worked well," Cassell said. "We played [four] years together. The salary cap broke us up. They traded Big Dog, Ray, and me. I was the last to come and go. We all knew we would get our shots. One night I might be odd man out and got 17. But if we were rolling, we'd all get 20."
Cassell went from one Big Three to another in Minneapolis. Garnett averaged 24.2 points, Cassell 19.8, and Sprewell 16.8 as the Wolves won 58 games and the Midwest Division title, and advanced to the Western Conference finals during the 2003-04 season. It was the only season Garnett has advanced past the first round, and he hasn't been back to the playoffs since. Cassell said the only problem of the Wolves' Big Three was that they could be too unselfish and worried about making each other mad.
"[Then-Wolves coach] Flip [Saunders] told us to play basketball and stop trying to stay out of each other's way," Cassell said.
The success of Minnesota's Big Three was short-lived after Sprewell became bitter after turning down a three-year, $21 million contract offer he felt was insulting and uttering his infamous, "I've got my family to feed," in November 2004. Cassell battled injuries the entire season and the Wolves didn't make the playoffs in 2005. Sprewell hasn't been in the NBA since and Cassell was dealt to the Clippers in the summer of 2005.
While his time with Garnett was short, Cassell is impressed with his former teammate.
"He's all about winning," Cassell said. "He's the ultimate professional basketball player. He don't care nothing about 12 points, 14 rebounds, a big block. If he goes 5 for 22 and they win, he'll love it."
Cassell believes the Celtics' star trio has a chance to be special. The 15-year veteran, who will be a free agent next summer, also said it would "be sweet" to play with "all that firepower."
"Someone will stop them. They won't go 82-0," Cassell said. "They'll be solid. Basketball is a game of injuries. If they stay healthy, they can be in the running [for a title]."
He'll toe the line
Forward Brian Scalabrine did not practice yesterday because of a sprained right big toe and wore a protective boot as a precaution. Even so, the seven-year veteran plans on playing tonight.
"In my mind, I'm very strong for [Washington]," Scalabrine said.
Center Scot Pollard is also expected to play, despite being hampered by a left ankle sprain that sidelined him the entire preseason.
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