Paul Pierce recommends former Celtics champion for Boston’s coaching staff
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With an exodus of assistant coaches looming, Celtics President of Basketball of Operations Brad Stevens says Boston will add at “at least” one assistant coach with substantial NBA experience to help head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Celtics legend Paul Pierce threw the name of a teammate, one who helped The Truth raise a championship banner, into the ring.
“I’m going to add to what I got right now. I’ve got to add to it. It’s already good. I’ve got to add to it. It’s already there. So, I’m bringing Mazzulla back but maybe I’m bringing in a veteran coach, like Sam Cassell,” said Pierce on a recent episode of the Ticket and the Truth Podcast.
As a crucial ballhandler off the bench, Cassell helped the Celtics win their 17th NBA championship in 2008. Although he retired from playing in 2009, Cassell has remained a fixture on NBA benches. The 53-year-old was as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards from 2009-2014 before serving on the coaching staff of his former Celtics head coach, Doc Rivers, in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
“Respect. A champion. Been a coach. Understands what it takes,” Pierce said of his championship running mate.
Prior to landing in Boston, Cassell enjoyed a lengthy NBA career as a valued role player. He even became an All-Star in 2004 as Kevin Garnett’s point guard in Minnesota.
The 76ers have shuffled their coaching staff, firing Doc Rivers after three seasons and installing Nick Nurse as the new head coach. With Nurse expected to pick his own staff and Rivers still unhired, Cassell’s future is up in the air, potentially opening up the door for a reunion with the Celtics.
According to a report by the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, assistants Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles, and Mike Moser are expected to reunite with their former head coach Ime Udoka in Houston, leaving three or more openings on Mazzulla’s staff.
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