Perk on why Sam Cassell deserves a head coaching position: "Whose cereal did he piss in not to get a call"
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With the Los Angeles Lakers hiring JJ Redick as their new head coach, even though Redick has no coaching experience at any level, many are wondering why former Houston Rockets player Sam Cassell has yet to obtain a head coaching job in the league.
During the latest episode of the Mark Jackson Show, 'Action' asked ESPN's Kendrick Perkins why he thinks his former Celtics teammate has yet to earn a seat on an NBA team's bench despite being one of the most qualified coaches in the business.
"I don't know," Perk wondered. "Like, the crazy thing is that he's not even getting interviews. You're (Mark Jackson) not getting interviews, Phil Handy is not getting interviews. That's crazy to me. I'm sitting here saying to myself, even when you thinking of Sam Cassell, I'm saying whose cereal he pissed in not to get the call? What's the problem?"
Sam has the resume
Cassell is one of the most experienced assistant coaches in the Association. Even during his final NBA season as a player, 2008-09, he served as unofficial assistant to Doc Rivers in Boston. From there, Sam worked as an assistant coach in Washington from 2009-14, the L.A. Clippers from 2014-20, and the Philadelphia 76ers from 2020-23 before landing on Joe Mazzulla's staff.
Before the start of the 2023-24 season, 'Sam I Am' vowed to help Boston win championship No. 18 . And with the Celtics beating the Mavs in the 2024 NBA Finals, Cassell has now won championships as a player and coach. Well, assistant coach, to be exact.
"I mean, he did 15 years as an assistant, won four NBA championships - three as a player and one as a coach. I mean, he's been under the shadows and grew up from a lot of great coaches, and you know he's not getting certain interviews for jobs. Like what's going on?" continued 'Big Perk.'
Gil says Sam would be the perfect Pistons head coach
Since the Hornets and Lakers have filled in their vacancies, only the Detroit Pistons head coaching job is open, at least for now. Former Washington Wizards All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas believes that Cassell may be the right man for the Detroit coaching gig.
"They need a coach who can talk it and walk it a little bit. So you're talking about somebody young enough to play their a** one-on-one, can still outshoot them, and is going to say and speak the same language that they kind of speak. That's probably Sam Cassell," said Arenas. "He's seen all high-level types of guards, so when you're talking about Cade, this is the perfect dude for you."
To date, the Pistons are yet to find their next head coach, but they may have to look elsewhere as Cassell is reportedly staying in Boston. The latest reports also say he is due for a promotion, although he will remain among Joe's deputies. When and if he finally becomes a head coach in the NBA remains to be seen, and a question 'Big Perk' will continue to ask until it happens.