“They don’t respect the old school as much” – Penny Hardaway sounds off on Sam Cassell being overlooked for an NBA head coaching position
Among the numerous former NBA stars who have made the transition to coaching successfully is Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway.
Before Shaq got hurt, Penny was his co-star in Orlando, but they parted ways. Hardaway has been the head coach of the University of Memphis, his alma mater, since 2018. He guided the Tigers to the NIT championship in 2021 and the AAC tournament championship in 2023.
When Hardaway was asked about his thoughts on his fellow peer Sam Cassell being passed over in the most recent round of the NBA’s coaching carousel, he was speaking on The Big Podcast.
“It’s long overdue, buddy,” Penny wailed. The guys from the new school are simply more respected than the old school. They show respect, and once more, congrats to JJ. In my opinion, he has a great basketball mind. However, Sam Cassell has accomplished everything you could ask of him in terms of winning titles as both a player and a coach, as well as serving as an assistant coach to a wide range of individuals.”
Sam and Penny have a long history together. Hardaway is familiar with Cassell because they both joined the NBA in the 1993 Draft Class. Additionally, Sam’s Rockets defeated Penny’s young Magic team in the 1995 NBA Finals, which pitted the two against one another. Although Anfernee did not begin coaching until 2015, in 2008–09, during his final NBA season in Boston, he served as an unofficial assistant coach.
On paper, though, Sam joined the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach in 2009. In addition, he was the Philadelphia 76ers’ and Los Angeles Clippers’ deputy before joining Joe Mazzulla’s staff the previous season. As an assistant, Cassell’s first NBA championship was won with the Celtics. Everyone is aware that the Florida State product is prepared to move on from his success and résumé.
Hardaway continued, “I think that’s pretty sad, but he’s definitely deserving.” “It’s unfortunate that the guy who puts in more effort than anyone, is knowledgeable about the game, and has completed all the requirements set out for him as a coach but hasn’t been hired yet.
Sam doesn’t perform well in interviews, Stak has heard.
Numerous NBA celebrities have voiced their thoughts regarding the Cassell scandal. The actual cause of the three-time champion’s repeated rejection from recent coaching openings is still unknown, though. Stephen Jackson, co-host of the All the Smoke podcast and 2003 NBA champion, recently discussed the potential cause of his rejections.
“What does it mean when people say he doesn’t interview well?” Jackson clarified. Your best teacher is the one you interview because of their education and experience. And he possesses an infinite amount of experience. Thus, if you would like to interview him, it should be as easy as sh**; my resume is attached. This is my current course of action. I’ve been involved in the game for this long.”
According to rumors that surfaced last month, Boston plans to promote Cassell, so he will likely return to the Celtics bench for the upcoming campaign. That’s good news for Sam, if it’s true. Still, it’s not the head coaching position he genuinely deserves and has earned.
