Pruitt to the Flash

[BDodgers at aol.com]

Celtics' signing of Cassell official after he passes  physical
 
Associated Press






 
 
Updated: March 4, 2008, 5:52 PM ET 
    *   _Comment_ (http://myespn.go.com/conversation/story?id=3276773)   
    *   _Email_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3276773#)   
    *   _Print_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3276773&type=story)  
 



 
WALTHAM, Mass. -- The _Boston Celtics_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos)  hope they have the last piece of the  championship puzzle now 
that veteran _Sam Cassell_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1295)  has passed his physical and signed a  contract. 
 
Cassell
Cassell is headed to Baltimore to attend the funeral of a family member and  
won't be available when the Celtics host the _Detroit Pistons_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det)  on Wednesday night. He is expected to  be 
available on Friday when Chicago visits Boston, but whether he plays will be  
the coach's decision. 
"I'm in no hurry," coach Doc Rivers said after practice Tuesday. "We'll have  
some time to work on things in the next few days." 
Cassell, 38, averaged 12.8 points for the _Los  Angeles Clippers_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lac)  this season before negotiating his 
long-rumored  exit. He is expected to back up starting point guard _Rajon Rondo_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=4149)  and play some 
off-guard. 
"Since I got traded here last summer, Sam was excited about this team's  
potential," said guard _Ray Allen_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3080) , noting the deal will take pressure off  Rondo. 
"Sam will give Rondo another gear," Allen said. 
The 6-foot-3 Cassell is expected to take minutes from _Eddie House_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3436) , who has been backing up 
Rondo all  season. 
Rivers said he is still unsure when recently signed forward _P.J. Brown_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=814)  will make his debut. 
"Sam may play before P.J.," Rivers said. 
Heading into Tuesday's games, the Pistons trailed the Celtics by 3½ games in  
the race for the NBA's best record. 
Although Cassell couldn't wait to get out of Los Angeles, which is last in  
the Pacific Division, he will be missed. 
"His loss takes away leadership to our team. He has been a class act to this  
team," Clippers forward _Corey Maggette_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3336)  said. "He is an all-around good guy. He  knows the 
game." 
Maggette said Cassell's former teammates understood his desire to go to a  
contender. 
"This is Sam's 15th season in the NBA and it is about business," Maggette  
said. "He put himself in position where he can go to a team that can win a  
championship. Boston is one of the elite teams in the league." 
In a related move, the Celtics assigned rookie guard _Gabe Pruitt_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=4310)  to the Utah Flash in the 
NBA's  D-League. 
Copyright 2008 by The Associated  Press






**************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & 
Finance.      (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)