Sam Cassell
The clutch backup who helped the Rockets win back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995.
Sam Cassell was selected out of Florida State University with the 24th overall pick of the 1993 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. Playing mostly as a backup to Kenny Smith, Cassell developed a reputation as "clutch" and was usually on the court for the fourth quarter of close games. He was a key contributor during the Rockets' playoff run his rookie year, notably dropping 22 points and seven assists in a Game 7 win against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals, and scoring 7 points in the final 32 seconds of a 93–89 win in game 3 of the 1994 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. The Rockets would win the championship in seven games.
- Role
- Point Guard
- NBA Championships
- 2 with Houston Rockets (1994, 1995)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In his first two seasons, Cassell helped the Houston Rockets win back to back championships, in 1994 and 1995. He saw an increase in his role during his second year, appearing in all 82 games that season. In game 2 of the 1995 Finals against the Orlando Magic, Cassell scored 31 points. The Rockets swept the Magic, giving Cassell his second championship in just two years in the league. In his third season, the two-time defending champion Rockets were swept out of the second round of the playoffs by the Seattle SuperSonics. Cassell's minutes, scoring and usage rates all increased in his third season, but he missed 21 games with injuries. Rockets management feared their window of winning another championship with Olajuwon, Drexler and Smith was closing, and looked to trade for another star-caliber player.
In Their Own Story
The 1994 NBA Finals, Game 3. The Rockets trailed the New York Knicks 93–89 with 32 seconds left. Sam Cassell, a rookie backup point guard, scored 7 points in those final 32 seconds to lift Houston to a 93–89 win. Earlier that same playoff run, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Phoenix Suns, Cassell dropped 22 points and seven assists to help the Rockets advance. Two years later, in Game 2 of the 1995 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, Cassell scored 31 points as the Rockets completed a sweep for his second championship.
Reader's Guide
Sam Cassell played for the Houston Rockets from 1993 to 1996. He was drafted 24th overall in the 1993 NBA draft out of Florida State. In his first two seasons, he helped the Rockets win back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. He won a third championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008, his last season. Cassell was selected to the NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Team once, both in the 2003–04 season. He was known for his mid-range jumpshot and often made clutch baskets late in the fourth quarter.
Did You Know?
- Cassell scored 7 points in the final 32 seconds of Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Finals to help the Rockets win 93–89.
- In Game 2 of the 1995 NBA Finals, Cassell scored 31 points as the Rockets swept the Orlando Magic.
- Cassell appeared in all 82 games during his second NBA season.
- He was drafted 24th overall in the 1993 NBA draft out of Florida State University.
- Cassell won three NBA championships total: two with Houston (1994, 1995) and one with Boston (2008).