He’s counting Lakers

With the start of the NBA Finals approaching, the chance to rub elbows with history isn’t being lost among the Boston Celtics.

“Two nights ago, before I went to sleep, it crept into my mind a little bit and I started thinking about the atmosphere, about what exactly this whole thing meant and I couldn’t sleep,” Ray Allen said. “If you think about it too much, then you’re going to just sit up and think about it and your thoughts are going to take over your body.”

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Sam Cassell hitched his ride with the Big Three for a chance at his own big three.

Three NBA titles, that is.

With two already secured with Houston in the ‘90s, Cassell, 38, joined the Celtics after arranging a buyout from the Clippers in late February. It’s a chance at another ring and also to showcase himself.

The process hasn’t gone as planned, with Cassell being shuffled in and out of the Boston rotation and struggling with his shot.

“It took a real hard decision to leave L.A.,” Cassell said. “But I knew I wasn’t in their future plans as a player and I went to a team that had an opportunity to get to a championship.”

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Paul Pierce has played alongside Kenny Anderson and Gary Payton. Still, he made a noteworthy declaration about Rajon Rondo, who has largely been viewed as the question mark among the Celtics starters.

“Rajon is the best point guard I’ve ever played with in the NBA,” Pierce said.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com