Key component of Mazzulla ball may be Bucks last Hail Mary to keep Giannis

You know how they say, "they're down bad?" Actually, do people even still say the phrase "down bad" these days? Regardless of whether "down bad" is still in fashion, it personifies the team that was perhaps the Boston Celtics' biggest rival once upon a time, the Milwaukee Bucks.

At this point, the Bucks' season ending feels like a mercy killing for them, because it's fair to say no one has had a more miserable season than they have. They're missing the playoffs, and the fallout between them and Giannis Antetokounmpo has been more glaring than ever.

ESPN's Shams Charania revealed the full extent of the toxicity of their locker room, and it's basically a war zone. There have been reports that the Bucks and old friend Doc Rivers may part ways even before Charania's report.

But something that should catch Celtics fans' eyes is that before that exposé came out, Giannis himself recently praised Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and the culture he's created in Boston.

Look, the Bucks obviously won't be able to sway Mazzulla to leave the Celtics for obvious reasons, but if the Rivers buzz is real, they may go after the next best thing: Sam Cassell.

Cassell could re-create Mazzulla ball in Milwaukee

Cassell has been coaching ever since his NBA days ended (coincidentally with the Celtics), serving as an assistant since 2009. Ironically enough, he had been Rivers' protégé for years. That may not be a sign of confidence, but Cassell's pedigree speaks for itself.

Not only has he played a role in perfecting the patented Mazzulla Ball, but he has also been singled out for developing some of the NBA's rising guards, including Tyrese Maxey and Payton Pritchard.

The Bucks' situation looks pretty hopeless right now, as they've been grasping at straws to keep themselves relevant with Giannis on the team. Nothing has really worked for quite some time. Cassell wouldn't be the most obvious candidate, but being an unorthodox pick might be one of those gambles that could pay off with their backs up against the wall.

Cassell's been in this line of work long enough that at this point, he deserves a shot like this. If that's not enough, he has extensive experience in Milwaukee, as he, along with old frenemy Ray Allen, helped guide the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001, a mark that was not repeated until Giannis helped them get there 18 years later.

The Bucks are out of options, so it's time to look at someone who no one would think of as an option. Cassell may not vault the Bucks back to where they were, but he'd be a gamble worth taking.