Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway is one of the many former NBA superstars who have successfully transitioned to coaching.
Penny was Shaq's co-star in Orlando before he got hurt, and they went their separate ways. Since 2018, Hardaway has been the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Memphis. In 2021, he led the Tigers to the NIT title, and in 2023, they won the AAC tournament championship.
During his appearance on The Big Podcast, Hardaway was asked what he thought about his fellow peer Sam Cassell getting bypassed again in the latest round of the NBA's coaching carousel.
"Long overdue, bro," lamented Penny. "They just don't respect the old school as much as the new school guys. They respect and again, congratulations to JJ, I think he's a brilliant basketball mind. But Sam Cassell has gone through the entire whatever you need him to do as far as being an assistant coach under so many different guys and winning championships as a player and as a coach."
Penny and Sam go a long way
Hardaway knows Cassell well, as they entered the NBA in the same 1993 Draft Class. The two also faced off during the 1995 NBA Finals, where Sam's Rockets swept Penny's upstart Magic team. But while Anfernee didn't start coaching until 2015, the one-time All-Star was already an unofficial assistant coach during his final NBA season in 2008-09 in Boston.
Officially, however, Sam became an assistant coach in the NBA in 2009 with the Washington Wizards. He also served as the deputy for the L.A. Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers before moving to Joe Mazzulla's staff last season. With the Celtics, Cassell won his first NBA championship as an assistant. Given his resume and success, everyone knows the Florida State product is ready to take the next step.
"He's definitely deserving, but I think that's pretty sad," added Hardaway. "That guy who works harder than anyone, he knows the game, he's done everything that he was supposed to do as a coach to be afforded to have a job, and just hadn't gotten a job yet, and I think that's sad.
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Stak heard that Sam doesn't do well in interviews
Many NBA personalities have given their opinions on the Cassell issue. However, it remains unclear the real reason why the three-time champion has repeatedly been bypassed in recent coaching vacancies. 2003 NBA champion and All the Smoke podcast co-host Stephen Jackson recently talked about the possible reason behind his snubs .
"Some people say he don't interview good but what does that mean?" explained Jackson. "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."
As it stands, Cassell will return to the Celtics bench next season, with reports last month saying that Boston will be promoting him. If true, that's good news for Sam. However, it's still not the head coaching job that he has earned and truly deserves.
Related: "Crazy that a guy with no experience can overshadow a guy like Sam Cassel" - Shaq on JJ Redick becoming the Lakers' head coach
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