As the Los Angeles Lakers trudge through a swampy offseason stretch, Bethune-Cookman head coach Reggie Theus discussed the state of the franchise.
Far from the average Inglewood native and lifelong Lakers fan, Theus is a former NBA All-Star and head coach. As a result, he found himself being asked what he thinks the organization should do after Huskies head coach Dan Hurley decided not to leave what he built at UConn.
“Listen, it takes a special person to be a Lakers coach,” Theus tells TMZ Sports.
“Just being good is not good enough here. You gotta win championships. You gotta be in the hunt for championships. So, I give them credit for going all the way to the top, just like they tried to get (Mike) Krzyzewski. I think that’s what they have to continue to try to do.
It doesn’t always to be the guy that’s at the top of the hill. They just have to find a guy that can relate, a guy that knows the style of play, (and) can gain the respect of the players. Those things matter most. Street credit is always important.”
Reggie Theus Gives Thoughts on Lakers Head Coach Candidate, Sam Cassell
Asked his views on the Lakers hiring Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell, Theus exclaims: “I love Sam!”
“…He’s been around. He’s earned his dues. He knows the game frontwards and backwards. He’s been a part of winning scenarios. I think he’d be an excellent choice…”
Theus (13 years) and Cassell (15 years) have considerable NBA experience. However, there’s no overlap between the careers. As a player, Theus’s final NBA game was in Apr. 1991. Cassell didn’t make his NBA debut until Nov. 1993.
They both began coaching around the same time. Theus was the Sacramento Kings’ head coach in 2007-08 and 2008-09 before joining the Minnesota Timberwolves as an assistant coach for the next two seasons. In that time, Theus may have considered hiring Cassell. Indeed, in 2009-10, the Washington Wizards brought Cassell in as an assistant coach.
Yet, hypotheticals aside, their timelines have had minimal convergence.
All that is to say that there’s no intimate relationship between Theus and Cassell. They’re from different areas; Theus’s hometown is in California and Cassell’s is in Maryland. Their lives are connected in the sense that Cassell’s career began almost immediately after Theus’s ended. Yet, they haven’t competed against or with one another. Cassell has never been coached by Theus.
An Unbiased Observer
Theus’s examination of Cassell’s worthiness missing exclusive information outside can be viewed in a negative light. However, Theus’s assessment of Cassell is unbiased. It being based on his résumé rather than a personal connection allowed for an unfiltered view. To that point, had Cassell been a two-year NBA veteran with five years of NBA coaching experience, Theus may not have had such a rosy outlook on his potential hiring.
Is Cassell Creative Enough?
Teams that interviewed Cassell have a more in-depth view of Cassell’s basketball knowledge and individual philosophies. After 30 years in the NBA, his hoops IQ is undoubtedly higher than most people’s. That being said, his Lakers’ candidacy doesn’t hinge on that alone.
As evidenced by their hard push for Hurley, serious interest in James Borrego, and the gaze they’ve given JJ Redick, the Lakers also value innovation and creativity. Cassell has spent a considerable amount of time coaching under Doc Rivers, so he learned a lot about motivating players and clearly defining their roles. Rivers will have helped him when it comes to designing after timeout plays (ATOs) and out-of-bounds plays, two of his specialties. However, after three decades in the NBA, Cassell should have some nifty ideas of his own.
He’s well-regarded for his work in player development. Having played at a high level in the NBA, he’ll have the respect of the locker room before steps in. His knowledge will help him extend and sustain that approbation. With his charisma, players will want to fight and win for fiery former point guard.
Cassell just has to show off his X’s and O’s and give the Lakers his long-term vision. Yes, if he had a podcast, that would be easier. Nonetheless, until L.A. —or another team— hires him as head coach, the public won’t be privy to those thoughts. Theus and others hopes that day comes sooner rather than later.
