Rajon, meet Sam

I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t think Sam Cassell heading to Boston was going to be all that fine and dandy.

Why? Well, Cassell is, and always will be, a guy that demands a lot. Out of himself, out of teammates, coaches, me, you, the guy who bags your groceries. He can be obnoxious, but then make a clutch play that makes up for all the other stuff that comes in the Cassell Package.

With Sammy in Boston, there’s very little doubt that Cassell will want to play the bulk of the crunch-time minutes in any big games the C’s from this point forward. Is that good?

Probably not, considering that they’ve been grooming a young PG (Rajon Rondo) for those particular occasions since the day the Big 3 became, well, the next Big 3.

And it’s not that the 106-year-old Cassell is done – he showed Monday night in San Antonio that he isn’t – but it’s his effect on Rondo that is the question. Would Rondo, a dark-horse for the Most Improved award this year, handle being on the bench in late-game situations (a Cassell specialty) knowing this time last month he was definitely going to be counted on in those situations?

The first such occasion came Monday night against the Spurs, and with Ray Allen out (blessing in disguise), Boston turned to their diminutive duo in the fourth, playing them together… with great results.

Look, Cassell hitting daggers (like the go-ahead three with 46 ticks left) isn’t a great surprise, but Rondo outscoring reigning Finals MVP Tony Parker head-to-head (20-17) was. And while having them share time late in games probably won’t be the norm, at least Boston has two reliable PG’s when the time does come.

Cassell shouldn’t plan on standing on Rondo’s toes, despite the fact that his demeanor, demanding treatment of teammates, and cocky play suggests otherwise. This is Rondo’s team to run, and Cassell needs to adopt the mindset that it’s 1994, when he boosted the Rockets off the bench and all but had “It’s not who starts, but who finishes” tattooed on his chest.

So, in a way, he’s come full circle.

Rondo, meanwhile, can’t be looking over his shoulder with that good-looking lad Cassell hawk-eyeing from the bench. Sure, the Big 3 have done everything expected (maybe more?), but it’s been Rondo’s play that has been easily the most exciting thing the C’s have had.

Rondo’s not above one of those stupid Darrell Walker-like lines of inflated boards (he’s had at least six caroms 16 times) and assists, with low points. As a matter of fact, he’s had eight games where’s he had more boards than points. And he’s a point guard. And he’s 6’1’’. You have to love those guys. Of course, his scoring isn’t needed, but still, the guy is good.

That’s why Cassell’s presence hopefully won’t be a hindrance.