Sam Cassell cleared waivers Monday and was set to become a Celtic.
"I think him being an addition to this team would be over the top," said Kevin Garnett, who played with Cassell in Minnesota. "Obviously, Sam -- with his experience, his knack for the fourth quarter, his leadership -- he is a natural leader. If he is to be on this team, I think he can definitely help not only (Rajon) Rondo but Eddie (House) and Gabe (Pruitt). He definitely brings an aura and a knack with him." Cassell has said he won't mind coming off the bench.
"I don't think he will have a problem with being a secondary (player)," said Garnett. "He understands that he has been in the league a long time, (and) since I have been on him, he has never had a problem with positioning and ways with the way he comes into the picture. Sam is a ballplayer, and he understands, in the end of the day, it's about winning if he is to come here.
"I have talked to him numerous times. I don't think it would be a problem."
Before making the decision to go for Cassell, GM Danny Ainge checked with some of his players.
"He asked me how I felt about it," said Rondo. "I told him I thought it would be a great idea. It can only help me."
CELTICS 98, HAWKS 88: Paul Pierce had 17 of his 30 points in the third quarter as the Celtics took over the lead for good and rolled away at home against Atlanta Sunday.
"I just tried to play within the flow of the game -- you know, let the game come to me," Pierce said after his outburst. "I thought in the second half I just wanted to be a little more aggressive than I was. I saw an opportunity and guys were finding me."
Led by Pierce, the Celts scored 13 straight points and had a 17-1 run in that third period. The Hawks countered with 22 points from Josh Smith for the night, and rookie Al Horford stepped up with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
But the Celts had too much depth. Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 16 rebounds, Ray Allen had 17 points and Kendrick Perkins had 11 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in 31 minutes.
