Days after JJ Redick was named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers , his hiring continues to be a hot topic in NBA circles.
Redick has been considered coaching material for quite some time now. However, the Lakers head coaching position has almost always been reserved for candidates with extensive experience. JJ defied that, and many, including Shaquille O'Neal , weren't happy with him being an exception.
"It makes it look crazy that a guy with no experience can overshadow a guy like Sam Cassell, who's been in the league 15 years, this and that. So let me just say that. No disrespect to JJ, but I think Sam should also be able to get the same looks," O'Neal said on The Big Podcast.
Cassell's coaching experience
Sam Cassell was on the Boston Celtics' payroll as a player during the 2008-09 season, but he did not suit up a single game and was said to be one of Doc Rivers' unofficial assistants that season. After retirement, Sam worked as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards, L.A. Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Celtics.
This past season, he won his first NBA championship as an assistant coach, adding to the three he won as a player. Despite that, Cassell didn't even earn an interview with the Lakers or the Cavaliers and Hornets, who also recently had coaching vacancies.
"But I'm happy for JJ," added Shaq. "Lot of pressure. Winning games will not be good enough. Expectation when you take that job, when you take the Miami Heat job, when you take a job where there's a lot of talent, the expectation is to win championships. What kind of coach is he? Don't know."
Related: Paul Pierce says LeBron and Bronny's story might be the greatest ever: "They're going to have to make this a 10-20 part series"
Stack says Sam doesn't do well in interviews
While it's unclear why Cassell has yet to get his big break, Stephen Jackson recently revealed why Sam couldn't even land interviews with teams.
"Some people say he don't interview good, but what does that mean?" Jackson said . "The interview is in the education and experience is your best teacher. And he has all the experience in the world. So if you want to interview him, the interview should just be sh**; my resume is right here. This is what I've been doing. This is how long I've been around the game."
Redick got arguably the toughest coaching job in the NBA after only having experience as a high school coach. Some would say being LeBron James' podcast co-host also helped him land the gig. But whatever the case may be, JJ got his big break. The same, unfortunately, can't be said about Cassell.
Related: "Everything goes through LeBron" - Shaq doesn't believe LeBron had nothing to do with JJ Redick's Lakers hiring
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