Sam Cassell's opportunity to be a head coach is long overdue. The former All-Star spent 15 years as an NBA floor general and an on-court extension of accomplished bench bosses such as Rudy Tomjanovich, Flip Saunders, and John Calipari. He has now spent even more time as an assistant coach; 17 years to be exact.
Cassell aided the ascent of players ranging from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum to John Wall and Tyrese Maxey. After contributing to Banner 17 as a veteran guard at the end of his playing career, he helped the Boston Celtics capture Banner 18 as a top assistant coach on Joe Mazzulla's staff.
It was a season together that made a lasting impact on Charles Lee.
"Sam, he brought joy; he brought a knowledge for what it takes to win," said the Charlotte Hornets' head coach before Boston earned a 113-102 win in a potential playoff preview at TD Garden. "I think that he has a great way of being able to connect with the players and explain to them what's necessary of them to win at the highest levels. And they respect him. I respected him. It was great to be able to watch how he works, and how he interacts, and how he communicates.
"One of the things that's always great is in-game, his ability to hold players accountable, have conversations with officials effectively; he's just an all-around great coach and person. So, it was an honor to be able to work with him as a champion player and a champion coach."
Sam Cassell still wants his head-coaching opportunity
During the All-Star break, in an exclusive conversation with Hardwood Houdini, Sam Cassell shared that he hasn't given up on the idea that one day, a team will give him the chance that he so richly deserves.
"I'm not giving up. Hopefully, it happens for me. I would like to have an opportunity to coach one of these teams, but the enjoyment I get from being a coach in basketball is seeing young men, when they are first getting in the league, and their progress in life, is becoming good basketball players, becoming family men, and becoming fathers. That's the part I enjoy."
In a sense, it's comparable to comments made by Brad Stevens the night of that Celtics-Hornets matchup. The team's president of basketball operations has had opportunities to go elsewhere. That includes recently rebuffing the University of North Carolina, regarding the opening to be the head coach of the Tar Heels men's basketball program. That role has since gone to Michael Malone.
Stevens doesn't have to be in Boston or in the front office instead of the sidelines. He's in that position with this organization because he enjoys what he does and who he's doing it with.
"I'm not motivated to do anything, but what I'm doing is the bottom line," said Stevens. "I'm really happy with the people we're around and everything else, and that's been the best part about being here. And really, as you get to this age and stage, I think that's the motivator for me. I don't really have any other motivation other than to be around people that I want to be around."
Like the Celtics' president of basketball operations, Cassell doesn't have to be in the role he's in. Coaching, the camaraderie and relationships that come with it, and surely, the competitive nature of it, make this a labor of love for him.
"The coaching thing, I would love to have an opportunity to do it. I'm striving for it because I still love this," voiced Cassell. "I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it at all. I love this. I love what I'm doing. I always have a smile on my face. I'm just upbeat. I enjoy being a part of the Association, especially being part of the Boston Celtics."