Clippers Re-Sign Sam Cassell - Press Conference Quotes

On re-signing Sam Cassell:
“Sam’s performance and leadership this year showed us that he made a significant difference for us this season. We had a terrific season last year and we look forward to having a better one next year.”

On being a better team than last year:
“I think so, all of our guys are going to have more experience and they are going to be better. I think both me and Mike expect us to be a better team.”

On the roster
“You never feel totally set. You are always trying to improve your ball club. We will always talk to teams and guys that are out there to improve our ball club.”

On re-signing Sam Cassell:
“From all of our standpoints we were pleased with the year we had last year. Once you get there you get greedy and a big part of that was Sam. We like what he brings to this team with his leadership qualities and his style of play. We are so pleased to have him back and we are looking forward to bigger and better things.”

On his Expectations for next season:
“My expectations are always higher than everyone else is because I always see that path on how to get to the ring. It’s not necessarily a guarantee but there is a path and there is a percentage. When Sam and Cuttino came in last year, they were in and they connected. We got a good running start and we gelled very well so it didn’t take much to get us going and to make things happen. I’m looking forward to the same thing and I can’t wait till next year.”

On Re-signing with the Clippers:
“I’m glad to be back with the organization. This negotiation process was fun. Mike Dunleavy, myself, Elgin Baylor, Andy Roeser and Donald Sterling came together and got it done. I’m happy and I know for a fact the organization is happy.”

On the negotiation process:
“There wasn’t any fear at all. Negotiations can be both good and bad. These negotiations went pretty good. Mike Dunleavy, myself, Elgin Baylor, Andy Roeser and Donald Sterling got together and we made an agreement and now I’m a Clipper. Me and Mike have a wonderful working relationship and I like the confidence that he gives me. He makes me a coach and the floor and that’s all I can ask for.”

“I wasn’t going to get 20 million dollars. I got an amount that was suitable for both parties. I’m happy and I’m glad to be a part of the Clippers organization. I’d like to be here for a long time that is if coach Dunleavy will have me as one of his assistant coaches.”

On whether this contract signing will be the last in his playing career: “I don’t think so, you can’t say. As long as I can hit the jump shot I can have a spot in this league. Young kids come into this league and lack one thing; a jump shot. I’m going to enjoy these two years and continue to play the way I play.”

On re-signing with the Clippers:
“It was Mike. I have that confidence in playing for Mike. He bends a little bit for me but he also straightens things up for me too. He gives me a lot of breathing room which a lot of coaches don’t do with their ball clubs. Once we crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s it was a no-brainer.”

On the maturation of Shaun Livingston:
“Shaun Livingston is going to be great in this league. He’s got all the tools to be good and I know that Mike likes him out there on the basketball court.”

On starting next season:
“That’s up to Mike but right now it’s my job to lose and that’s all I can ask for.”

On his expectations going into next season:
“We’re not going to put a number on it (wins). We’ve got our work cut out for us because teams are going to be gunning for us. We aren’t going to have the luxury of sneaking up on teams next year. Our guys are going to be ready to play basketball. We have a great nucleus of ball players and we’ll be ready.”

On becoming an assistant coach after his playing career is over:
“That’s up to Mike. I’ve been around a whole lot of coaches in this league but I’ve never been around a coach that has his hands on everything. Offense, defense, inbounds plays he’s just hands on when it comes to the basketball court.”

On being better next season:
“I feed off the energy of the guys that are out there on the court. We want to be a better team than last year. We are going to get started at training camp. I don’t think it’ll take a lot to get guys like Elton (Brand) and Corey (Maggette) ready. As a matter of fact I don’t think its going to take a lot for this team to get ready.”