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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Celtics have found the coaching experience they wanted

By Ty Anderson June 4th
Feb 9, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, left, talks with assistants Tyronn Lue, center, and Sam Cassell in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking with reporters in the aftermath of his team’s brutal, season-ending Game 7 loss to the Heat, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stood by first-year head coach Joe Mazzulla.

In what was an undeniable learning-on-the-fly year for Mazzulla, Stevens made it clear that Mazzulla’s second year on the gig would come with stronger support and experience behind him in the assistant ranks. Sunday night came with the C’s first move on that front, too, with Sam Cassell reportedly added to Mazzulla’s staff.

Stadium’s Shams Charania was the first to report the move.

  • By all means an NBA lifer, Cassell spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach on Doc Rivers’ staff in Philadelphia, and was considered the top assistant on the Sixer staff.

    Cassell’s run with the 76ers also earned him some head coaching interviews along the way, as the 53-year-old Cassell interviewed with the Jazz last year for their vacant head coaching job (which eventually went to then-Celtics assistant Will Hardy) and with the Rockets earlier this year. Interestingly enough, that Houston job also went to someone with Boston ties, with ex-Celtics head coach Ime Udoke named as the Rockets’ next head coach back in April.

    But Cassell’s time in Philly continued what’s been a notable run under Rivers, as Cassell also served as an assistant on Rivers’ staff in Los Angeles during his time with the Clippers from 2014 through 2020.

  • Jan 22, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell talks with head coach Doc Rivers against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

    Jan 22, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell talks with head coach Doc Rivers against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. (Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports)

  • Prior to his time with Rivers, Cassell spent five years on the Wizards’ staff, serving as an assistant coach on Washington’s staff from 2009 through 2014.

    Cassell served under Flip Saunders and then Randy Wittman during his five-year run in Washington, with the Wizards making it to the second round for the first time since 2005 in Cassell’s final year as an assistant coach.

  • Mar 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell (right) and head coach Doc Rivers against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    Mar 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell (right) and head coach Doc Rivers against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

  • Cassell is a strong start to an offseason that’s going to need an absolute ton of hires from Stevens & Co., as the Celtics lost Damon Stoudamire late in the regular season (and never replaced him), and are expected to lose three more assistants with Udoka raiding the Celtics for reunions with the staff he built in Boston prior to his suspension and eventual dismissal as the Green’s head coach.

    The other hope is that Cassell can get through to some of the Celtics’ core players, especially as 15-year veteran who was an All-Star in 2004 and a three-time NBA champion throughout his playing career.

  • BOSTON - MAY 8: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics talks with Sam Cassell #28 as the Cleveland Cavaliers shoot a free throw during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at the TD Banknorth Garden May 8, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 89-73. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

    BOSTON – MAY 8: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics talks with Sam Cassell #28 as the Cleveland Cavaliers shoot a free throw during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at the TD Banknorth Garden May 8, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Elsa/Getty Images)

  • And Cassell, of course, knows what it’s like to play in Boston, for the Celtics, and with the stakes at their highest. Cassell was a late addition to the Celtics in 2008. Part of Boston’s ultra-deep, veteran-laden bench that season, Cassell had some clutch moments throughout his brief-yet-triumphant time with the Celtics.

    Cassell hung around Boston beyond the 2008 championship, too, as he had a Udonis Haslem-esque role with the 2008-09 club as an active roster player who was basically an assistant coach in training.

Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Celtics. 

Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.

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