The Boston Celtics not only bolstered their roster, but also their coaching staff this offseason, welcoming in a whole new crew before Opening Night.
That opens several doors.
For one, the Celtics can re-establish their culture, which is among the highest priorities of Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla. Unlike last season, in which Mazzulla was thrown into the spotlight as a last-minute in-house promotion, the now-second-year head coach had the advantage of getting to know his supporting staff throughout an offseason, thus, getting a head start in establishing a camaraderie.
“I think just creating that environment of that tribal leadership, that togetherness, that ownership, it’s something that I’m really excited to do and our staff has done a great job, like, this offseason,” Mazzulla said during Celtics media day. “We came into this offseason wanting to build an environment of work ethic, an environment of teaching and developing, and I thought our staff and our players really springboarded that environment.”
The benefits of hiring Cassell, who played just one season with the Celtics, but was part of Boston’s last NBA Finals-winning run in 2008, will span beyond the filling of a vacant coaching staffer’s seat.
With that being said, here are three Celtics that should reap the benefits of Cassell’s presence:
3. Payton Pritchard
Entering a year of redemption, Payton Pritchard still has plenty left to prove.
The undersized guard was put through the wringer last season, clawing for time on the floor while recording a career-low 13.4 minutes a night. That created an obvious mental challenge for Pritchard, falling deep in Boston’s depth chart behind Marcus Smart, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon
But now with two of those names gone, and having signed a four-year, $30 million contract, Pritchard has the spotlight he’s been waiting for. The 25-year-old wasn’t committed to Boston — and understandably so — yet the Celtics made their stance clear: the C’s believe in Pritchard.
So… where does Cassell come into play here?
Well, like Pritchard, Cassell spent 15 seasons in the NBA as a blue-collared workhorse guard. Being a longtime veteran comes with an attached level of experience and wisdom that Cassell — a respected former player — can bestow upon Pritchard amid a huge year.
2. Joe Mazzulla
Rightfully so, Mazzulla’s debut coaching job was also addressed by the Celtics during the offseason.
At several points, especially throughout the postseason, Mazzulla’s inexperience as a head coach haunted the Celtics. Whether it was the lack of playing White in crunch-time moments or failure to adjust in the Eastern Conference finals, Mazzulla didn’t have a great first year.
1. Jayson Tatum
The most important of the bunch, Jayson Tatum is the sole leader in Boston’s 2023-24 win-or-bust season, especially with Boston’s current roster.
In Cassell, Tatum has a basketball voice that not only can talk the talk, but has walked the walk. Cassell made an All-Star Game and played for three championship-winning teams.
Tatum’s potential obviously can’t be questioned. Last season, for the greater bulk of 74 games played, Tatum was in deep MVP consideration. The scoring production was there, averaging a career-high 30.1 points and effectively leading one of the league’s most elite offenses.
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