Sam Cassell Agrees to Join Joe Mazzulla's Coaching Staff
Sam Cassell, an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers, has decided to join the Boston Celtics coaching staff under head coach Joe Mazzulla, per CBS Sports.
Cassell, who brings a wealth of experience as a former NBA player and longtime assistant coach, will provide a veteran presence to the Celtics bench.
Cassell has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2009 and most recently worked alongside Doc Rivers in Philadelphia for the past three seasons.
Before that, he was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Washington Wizards. During his playing career, Cassell won three championships, including one with the Celtics in 2008 under Rivers's coaching.
Although Cassell was considered a potential candidate for a head coaching role, the Sixers opted for Nick Nurse. Cassell will continue his coaching career in Boston, where he also concluded his playing days.
The suggestion to bring in Cassell as an assistant coach came from Celtics legend Paul Pierce, and the front office agreed with the idea.
"You can't keep bringing in new voices. I'm going to add to what I got right now. I've got to add to it. It's already good," Pierce said. "So, I'm bringing Mazzulla back, but maybe I'm bringing in a veteran coach, like Sam Cassell. Some influence on the bench. Respect. A champion. Been a coach. Understands what it takes."
Sam Cassell's respected reputation and understanding of what it takes to succeed in Boston make him a valuable addition to the Celtics coaching staff. Meanwhile, Nurse must assemble his assistant coaches for the 76ers.
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Sam Cassell Career
During his playing career, Sam Cassell established himself as a skilled and versatile point guard in the NBA, Fastbreak noted.
Throughout 993 regular season games, Cassell showcased his abilities, averaging an impressive 15.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest, all while maintaining a solid shooting percentage of 45.4% from the field.
Cassell's basketball journey took him through several reputable franchises, including the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics.
Notably, it was with the Celtics that he experienced the pinnacle of success, contributing to their NBA Championship victory in 2008.
Following his retirement from playing, the 53-year-old embarked on a coaching career, assuming assistant coaching positions with respected teams such as the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Cassell's transition from player to coach showcases his dedication to the game and his desire to impart his knowledge and expertise to the next generation of basketball talent.
Sam Cassell, Joe Mazzulla, and Boston Celtics
The addition of Sam Cassell to the Boston Celtics coaching staff is undoubtedly a significant and commendable move for the organization, according to Yahoo! Sports.
With the departure of Damon Stoudamire in March, the Celtics needed a coach boasting extensive NBA playing or head coaching experience for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
Hiring Cassell fills that void and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team.
Meanwhile, Head coach Joe Mazzulla is one of the youngest coaches in the league at 34 years old. The presence of Cassell, a seasoned veteran who has both played and coached at the highest level, will undoubtedly prove invaluable to Mazzulla's growth and development.
Sam Cassell's experience and understanding of what it takes to win a championship in the storied city of Boston will undoubtedly enhance the team's prospects.
Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens emphasized last week that the organization needs to add assistant coaches with substantial NBA experience.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Sam Cassell to join Celtics' coaching staff: report - From CBS Philadelphia
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