The NBA does not want you to see this celebration dance

SAM Cassell was a superstar NBA player in the 1990s who hit numerous clutch shots — and then did a rather special dance. The league does not like ‘that’ dance.

epa00719714 Los Angeles Clippers guard Sam Cassell gestures towards an NBA official during the first half of game seven of the Western Conference semifinals against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, Arizona, Monday, 22 May, 2006. EPA/TOM HOOD

DOING Sam Cassell’s dance requires bigger cojones than ever.

Cassell, a key contributor on the Houston Rockets’ back-to-back NBA titles in the 1990s who hit numerous clutch shots during his 15-year career, is seeing the league doing everything it can to erase his most lasting image.

Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin became the latest player fined for breaking out Cassell’s “big balls” dance, which Cassell — who also played for the T’wolves — routinely did after hitting big shots.

Martin was fined $15,000 — the same about you get for a violent elbow or cursing out a ref — and joined an illustrious line of mimes to get hammered by the NBA for following Cassell’s example.

The likes of Jameer Nelson, Andray Blatche, Caron Butler and Marco Belinelli have been penalised for emulating Cassell. Kobe Bryant did not get fined for his rendition.

Originally published as The NBA does not want you to see this celebration dance