The New Orleans Pelicans need a respected coach who develops players.
The New Orleans Pelicans‘ coaching search has been top secret so far, with little information leaking from David Griffin’s crew.
The typical names are popping up, retreads like Jason Kidd and Tyronn Lue, but there is no indication that the Pelicans will go that way, and given David Griffin’s history of hiring first-time coaches, it’s unlikely that they will.
A guy who has gotten some buzz in the past who should be in consideration now is Los Angeles Clippers’ assistant coach Sam Cassell.
For those of you who are too young, Cassell was a talented and smart point guard who won three titles in his career as a player.
Cassell was fearless, creative and most of all, he won everywhere he went, bringing home two titles in Houston and another in Boston.
Cassell wasn’t afraid to take and make big shots, and now he is looking to get his first shot as a head coach.
He has been interviewed by other teams in the past, but the New Orleans Pelicans need to give Cassell serious consideration.
Here’s why.
Sam Cassell Has Earned a Chance
Cassell joined the Flip Saunders on the staff of the Washington Wizards in 2009, where he learned from one of the top basketball minds in the game (RIP).
He helped lead the Wizards to the conference semi-finals and was instrumental in recruiting players like Paul Pierce, who said he came to the Wizards specifically because of Cassell.
Cassell carries weight with players and there are a lot of guys who would like to play under him.
After five seasons, Cassell joined Doc Rivers on the Los Angeles Clippers and he has been there ever since. If you watch Clippers’ games, you’ll see that Doc Rivers leans heavily on Cassell, consults him regularly and that he has the players’ ear.
Cassell has been successful under two great head coaches, has learned how to deal with players and their egos and how to hold people accountable.