Cassell Calls On Clippers to Do the Right Thing

Sam Cassell wanted to eat a salad, but lunch would have to wait Wednesday because of well-wishers in the restaurant.

Cassell often interrupted an interview to chat with fans, many of whom said they hoped the veteran point guard would return to the Clippers because of his key role in their best season.

Although the Clippers face major decisions this summer, re-signing the vocal co-captain and clutch shooter is among the top items on their to-do list. General Manager Elgin Baylor and Coach Mike Dunleavy want Cassell to return, and Cassell says he’s eager to finish his career with the team.

But Cassell is 36, would prefer a guaranteed two-year contract and a raise from his $6.1-million salary. Owner Donald T. Sterling must decide how much Cassell is worth to the Clippers, though it seemed at least some fans figured Cassell would be a bargain at any price.

“Look at all these fans coming to the table, saying that they’re Clippers fans now, they can’t wait for next season and they want me back,” Cassell said. “You know, I won championships when I was younger, I’ve made money and had a lot of good times. But for me, helping to take an organization that was at the bottom of the barrel in the NBA, and lifting it up, means more to me than anything I’ve ever done.

“After my whole career in this game, it makes me feel like I’ve really accomplished something with this basketball team. And we can accomplish a lot more, but management has to do its job now. They’ve got a lot to do, because this whole thing could fall apart with one bad move. That’s all it could take. Just one.”

Cassell and sharp-shooting forward Vladimir Radmanovic can become free agents after the NBA Finals, and Dunleavy’s agent is expected to soon seek a lucrative contract extension for the coach. It could be a busy, and expensive, summer for the Clippers, and Cassell suggested a starting point for Sterling and Andy Roeser, executive vice president.

“If management wants to step up and make a statement with me, great, because I want to be here,” he said. “I can’t put a particular number on what it’s going to take, but if it’s a fair number that’s reasonable for both parties, then let’s do it. We’ve got something good started now. You can see it.”

The Clippers experienced their most success since the franchise moved from Buffalo, N.Y., to California before the 1978-79 season.

They had the second-best record in franchise history, set a franchise mark with 20 road victories, qualified for the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons and won their first postseason series in 30 years.

The Clippers’ season ended in Monday’s 127-107 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals at US Airways Center.

Although disappointed the Clippers failed to advance to the conference finals, Cassell said their future is bright because of the development of third-year center Chris Kaman and second-year point guard Shaun Livingston.

“It’s a process,” he said. “It doesn’t happen overnight ... you’ve got to take steps. Kaman is going to come back better next year. Shaun is going to come back better.

“But just look at what we did. Nobody expected us to be in a Game 7 against Phoenix, we pushed those guys, and now people don’t look at the Clippers the same.”

The 13-year veteran delivered on his training-camp guarantee that “the Clippers are going to do things they’ve never done before,” and he did his part, averaging 17.2 points and a team-leading 6.3 assists. In the postseason, Cassell averaged 18 points and 5.8 assists.

Since training camp, Cassell encouraged and admonished teammates while pushing Dunleavy’s agenda. He had plenty of late-game highlight-tape performances that contributed to victories, and a Clippers official said Cassell’s strong personality helped to “change the culture” of an organization that had become conditioned to expect the worst.

“I’m a part of this whole Clipper Nation thing,” Cassell said. “I’m a big part of why the fans are out cheering for us two hours before the game starts. This is where I want to be.”