Repeat performance would suit Cassell

But guard knows it's a tough task

WALTHAM - Of the current Celtics, only Sam Cassell was alive in 1969, the last year the team won consecutive NBA titles. But Cassell has become the team's point of reference for advice on back-to-back championships because of his experience with Houston's 1994 and '95 titlists.

"It's tough," Cassell said of the prospect of repeating. "You've got to get through the regular season but you have to get that momentum going through the playoffs. You have to be on your stride going into the playoffs. And that's everybody. Just one nagging injury could spoil it. We've probably got to be healthy. But we've been through it before. We know what it mentally takes to win so now we got to get to that point.

"Every guy here had a great summer. I had a great summer and I want to do it again."

Asked about advising the Celtics' younger players, Cassell said, "Get another one [championship] and make it even better. Put the pressure on you to repeat. There is nothing like winning a championship."

Cassell, who re-signed yesterday for undisclosed terms, said he did not consider other offers and would accept a minor role with the Celtics this season.

"I could have gone somewhere else, but why?" Cassell said. "We're the champions.

"I've been a star but I would be all right with no minutes. Most 38-year-olds aren't playing. I want to make the old guys at the YMCA proud."

Shouldering the load

Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) will miss the Celtics' opening exhibition game against Philadelphia in Amherst Oct. 8. But Perkins hopes to be ready for the Celtics-Houston game in Manchester, N.H., Oct. 11.

"I'm feeling all right," Perkins said. "I'm just getting ready to start the season again. I'm still getting rehab on my shoulder. I'm just really getting focused for the third preseason game. My shoulder is fine right now. I think it's more precautionary reasons.

"I will be all right, like I said, I'll be ready to play in the third preseason game and do all the drill work in training camp and everything like that. I just can't do contact right now. I'm going to get in the best shape I can get in and keep going with my weights and go from there.

"I just don't want it to happen again, especially during the season. I'm not really concerned about going to training camp. The season is more important."

Miles to go?

Darius Miles will be available for exhibitions but is suspended for the first 10 regular-season games because of the NBA's drug-enforcement policy. "Danny [ Ainge] told me don't worry about it and stay focused on what we are trying to do here, which is win championships," Miles said. Asked if the suspension could be a factor in his roster status, Miles (who has a non-guaranteed contract) said: "I talked to Danny about it when I signed and he told me, 'Don't worry about it, it's the past and move forward.' " . . . Draft choice Bill Walker said he has been playing for the past two weeks without pain following arthroscopic knee surgery.