Hoops Habit
Fansided

The most overlooked Los Angeles Clippers of all time

By Aymin Bakr

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 11: Chris Kaman #35, Sam Cassell #19, Corey Maggette #50, and Quinton Ross #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers take the court after a timeout during the second half of their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center November 11, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 11: Chris Kaman #35, Sam Cassell #19, Corey Maggette #50, and Quinton Ross #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers take the court after a timeout during the second half of their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center November 11, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Sam Cassell

Sam Cassell is often remembered for his time as a high-level contributor for the championship Houston Rockets as well as his All-Star level play with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. However, what’s arguably most impressive about his career was his ability to essentially lead the Clippers to their first playoff appearance since 1996 at the age of 36.

The 2005-06 Los Angeles Clippers boasted talents like Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, but it was Cassell who was most surprising in the eyes of many. He’d proven to be a high-level scorer and playmaker before he came to Los Angeles, but his age led to him being overlooked when he was signed on as the new starting point guard.

As the second leading scorer with 17.2 points and the only player to average over five assists (6.3 per game), Cassell helped to lead the 2005-06 Clippers to a 47-win season and a Game 7 Western Conference semifinals exit.

While he only played for the franchise for a little over two seasons before he was traded to the Boston Celtics, Cassell played a monumental role in Clippers’ history. Alongside Brand, he was able to lead team to its first playoff run since 1996, which wouldn’t be reached again until the 2011-12 season. At 36 years old, he proved to be a leader and an All-Star caliber guard that could do what he did his whole career, regardless of age.

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