Omri Casspi thread

[mvblair]

Nothing new, but an article in The Sacramento Bee:

Casspi Unhappy with Diminished Role - April 6, 2011, The Sacramento Bee, By Jason Jones

With less playing time these days, Kings second-year forward Omri Casspi believes it would be "egotistical" to demand a trade but made it clear he would welcome a new opportunity next season.

...The Kings' 104-101 win over the Houston Rockets Tuesday at Toyota Center was the fifth time in eight games Casspi did not play. The Kings are 5-0 in those games, 6-2 overall.

Casspi said his intent wasn't to cause problems and that he will continue to work hard and wait his turn to play.

"I haven't played in a while and coach came up to me and told me he's going in different direction – and he's not going my direction," Casspi said. "So I'm not mad at nobody or trying to cry about not playing, but it is what it is.

"So hopefully I'll be in a better situation next year."

Wespthal said he understands Casspi's frustration. Casspi has started 27 games this season so not playing isn't easy. But Francisco García has been the most consistent starter at small forward. Donté Greene is also playing well.

"He's saying the truth the way he sees it," Westphal said. "I don't agree with in particular his statement that he wants to go to a team where team play is important. Maybe that was lost in translation but that's kind of a ridiculous statement."

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said he hadn't heard from Casspi, and acknowledged it has to be a frustrating time for the player.

...Petrie said any talk of what to do next season is "premature."

"Ultimately the season will be over and there will be a lot of discussion about what needs to be done with the roster," Petrie said...

[CKR13]

Omri Casspi wins $200,000 Telma endorsement

[Billy Bounce]

Omri Casspi wins $200,000 Telma endorsement

Omri is slowly turning into a celeb, running the ads instead of playing basketball.

[BBallfanJ]

Casspi was traded to the Cavs along with the Kings' 2012 first round pick in exchange for J.J. Hickson.

[goga78]

And what should it give both teams? Are the Kings in deer need of a PF like Hickson? What should Casspi do in another disorganized team? I mean, anything would be better than the Kings with their longjam at his position with a clueless head coach guiding the ship but Cavs aren't good either.

[CKR13]

Casspi may contend minutes with Tristan Thompson. While in Sacramento, trading Casspi will ease the logjam of Garcia, Greene, Salmons and Honeycutt. What we like is Hickson's ability to play small forward and power forward.

[goga78]

Casspi may contend minutes with Tristan Thompson. While in Sacramento, trading Casspi will ease the logjam of Garcia, Greene, Salmons and Honeycutt. What we like is Hickson's ability to play small forward and power forward.

But does Sacramento really need another SF/PF? Does Cleveland need another supplementary player without having a leader? Other than change of scenery for both players, imho both teams didn't profit from the deal much.

[CKR13]

But does Sacramento really need another SF/PF? Does Cleveland need another supplementary player without having a leader? Other than change of scenery for both players, imho both teams didn't profit from the deal much.

For the Kings, it hinges on Dalembert. If Dalembert does leave Cousins or Thompson would start at center and the other could be back-up. Thus leaving the void in the PF where Hickson would fit in nicely. Greene, Salmons, Garcia and Honeycutt are SF.

If Dalembert does return, the void in the PF is somewhat not gaping.

On both teams not profiting much, I agree.

[mvblair]

But does Sacramento really need another SF/PF? Does Cleveland need another supplementary player without having a leader? Other than change of scenery for both players, imho both teams didn't profit from the deal much.

I wrote here that I think it's great for Cleveland. I'm really happy about this.

The Cavs are a disorganized team, but they're slowly getting it together. Hopefully Kyrie Irving will be as good as people say he is (I have doubts, not having seen him play). While we do need a leader, we also need better complimentary players, and Casspi is a definite improvement for us.

My guess is that he'll be a starter and he'll see a big bump in his statistics. Cleveland will be a little better than last year.

[CKR13]

The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks became interested in Casspi after he was traded from Sacramento to Cleveland.

-Marc Stein's Twitter

[mvblair]

The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks became interested in Casspi after he was traded from Sacramento to Cleveland.

-Marc Stein's Twitter

Playing for the Spurs would be great for him. He could start next to TP, Manu, Duncan, and probably Splitter. But I still think he's in a good situation in C-Land.

[MaccabiTA]

Playing for the Spurs would be great for him. He could start next to TP, Manu, Duncan, and probably Splitter. But I still think he's in a good situation in C-Land.

I'm glad that he's finally out of Sacramento but him in SA would be perfect and not only for the reason you've mentioned but I'm also a fan of the Spurs.. I could get like 50 Spurs games broadcasted in Israel that'd be perfect

[sinobball]

Hmm I wonder what my Orthodox Jewish street will look like during Cavs nights now. I mean after the lockout is over.

[MaccabiTA]

Hmm I wonder what my Orthodox Jewish street will look like during Cavs nights now. I mean after the lockout is over.

I don't think Orthodox Jews will really give a fuck.. They're too busy talking and praying to their imaginary friend

[Czarkazem13]

I don't think Orthodox Jews will really give a fuck.. They're too busy talking and praying to their imaginary friend

Plus, Casspi is no Tamir Goodman.

[sinobball]

Plus, Casspi is no Tamir Goodman.

Who happened to also live here in Cleveland. Not on my street though, but not so far away.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....trade_for.html

[[M-120]]

You guys forgot Anthony Parker?!?
He is also playing for Cleveland Cavaliers.

Omri & Anthony - Two ex-Maccabi players in Cavs!

[MaccabiTA]

You guys forgot Anthony Parker?!?
He is also playing for Cleveland Cavaliers.

Omri & Anthony - Two ex-Maccabi players in Cavs!

If the problems in the NBA won't be solved by the beginning of the season I believe Parker would retire..

[CKR13]

Is Omri Casspi’s NBA career nearing its end?

Rumor has it that the Cavs will release the only Israeli playing in America’s top league this summer

The Cleveland Cavaliers may release Israeli forward Omri Casspi after the 2012 season and buy out his $2.3 million contract, according to reports published by Sport 5 on Sunday.

Casspi became the first Israeli to play in the NBA when he was drafted by Sacramento in 2009. He was traded to Cleveland last year and began the season as a starter for the Cavs. Midway through the season he was demoted to the bench.

Casspi’s decline in Cleveland, said coach Byron Scott, is performance related. Scott recently commented that several members of the squad, including Casspi, weren’t familiar with the playbook more than halfway through the season.

During the 2011 NBA lockout, Casspi signed with the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team, but returned to Cleveland when league play started.

-Times of Israel

There were rumors earlier that the Cavaliers are planning to arrange a buyout with Casspi. I am hoping the best for him as his situation in Cleveland is a timing of inconvenience wherein Cleveland has an isolation oriented offensive structure and has the tendency to let Irving dominate the ball in the perimeter and for Jamison / Varejao for the quick post plays. I think Cleveland could trade Casspi to a more passing team like San Antonio in the offseason.

[goga78]

Reminds me of the situation with Macijauskas under Scott. Scott told back then that Macijauskas couldn't memorize his plays. Macijauskas has been playing under Ivanovic before, a fanatic of discipline on the court. It seems to me that Scott lives and dies with a point guard dominating the ball, being able to score a lot. Cleveland's offense is BS. If you watch the highlights, you get to see only Irving dominating the ball and scoring. Not passing, just scoring. I hope, Casspi gets out of there. Either to a team he could really help or that he goes back to Maccabi. He has proven that he can play in the NBA and is young enough to get back there but right now he is doing all wrong by staying at Cleveland. Imho he should have gone to Europe before the end of the lockout to gain playing experience in a team he could play a major role in. In Cleveland, he is degraded to a shooter (as he was in Sacramento), although he is not a shooter. He can shoot and hit some shots but he is an energy guy and it's a waste of time to let him stand at the three-point line. He is tall, can run, jump and shoot. Why take just one of these abilities?