After the Boston Celtics got blown out at home in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals by the Miami Heat, some fans were hoping that head coach Joe Mazzulla would get fired.
Mazzulla, a rookie head coach, had replaced Ime Udoka, who did an outstanding job last season but was dismissed after what the team called an inappropriate relationship with a team employee.
Instead, he will remain at the helm of the Celtics, and he will have a new assistant coach next season in Sam Cassell, a former NBA All-Star.
Sam Cassell has agreed to join the Boston Celtics coaching staff under Joe Mazzulla, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2023
Some fans are happy with the hire.
This is huge ☘️☘️☘️
— WayneBreezie (@thewaynebreezie) June 5, 2023
I like this, Clippers will miss him. Great coach, Loves to develop new talent & pick your mind. Celtics have a very young core, Exactly what Cassell likes to coach.
— Ry (@BKStakes) June 5, 2023
These two fans feel, however, that Cassell could be in a position to replace Mazzulla if Boston doesn’t show enough improvement.
Gonna miss Sam. Enjoyed having him here in Philly. Mazzulla better come correct or Sam will be the head coach.
— Jeanie💜♒️ (@jeaniegirl7) June 5, 2023
He will be head coach by the all star break
— Jimmy Askins (@JimmyFromTheQ) June 4, 2023
Cassell played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning three championships — two with the Houston Rockets in his first two seasons and one with the Celtics in his final year.
Since retiring as a player, he has served as an assistant coach for three different teams.
The Celtics have an excellent star duo in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as well as one of the game’s best defenders in guard Marcus Smart, but many feel they lack the fight and toughness that past Celtics teams had in spades.
Tatum, in particular, has been criticized for failing to string together great performances and not playing up to his standards in big games.
In the Celtics’ Game 7 setback, he was just 5-of-13 and scored only 14 points after averaging 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists a game, all of which were career highs in the regular season.
NEXT: The Celtics Are Adding A New Coach To Their Staff
