Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott isn’t backing off his stance on Sam Cassell.
When Scott returned to NBA Insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on #WORDSWITHSCOOP, the conversation circled right back to the same point that turned their previous interview into a viral moment: why the Boston Celtics assistant still hasn’t been given an NBA head coaching job.
Scott made headlines in July 2024 when he said Cassell deserved a head coaching opportunity more than any assistant in the league. He also took a shot at the Los Angeles Lakers’ hire of JJ Redick, pointing out that Cassell had four championship rings while Redick’s only ring was his wedding band. That remark spread quickly across social media and pushed the discussion far beyond basketball circles.
Robinson revisited the issue by noting that Cassell had already won a title in Boston as an assistant under Joe Mazzulla, yet remained in the same role. He asked Scott how frustrating it was to keep seeing Cassell passed over for top jobs.
Scott’s answer came fast: “It is very frustrating, but it’s not just Sam,” he said. From there, he widened the conversation, saying talented assistants in both the NBA and NFL are often overlooked, with Black coaches especially getting left behind while others move up.
Cassell’s résumé makes the case hard to ignore. The Baltimore native won three championships as a player with the Houston Rockets and the Celtics, then started his coaching career in 2009. Since then, he has worked with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Celtics, where he has been since 2023 and helped Boston win the 2024 title.
Joe Mazzulla even gave Cassell the head coach duties for a preseason game this fall. Still, when the latest round of head coaching openings came around, Cassell was not listed among the reported finalists.
For Scott, this goes well beyond one coach from Baltimore. In his view, it’s about who gets a real shot, who keeps getting asked to prove himself, and who finally gets rewarded for already having done the work.
Cassell has the rings, the experience and the respect. The only thing missing is the job.
In Other News...
Neemias Queta Just Gave The Celtics A Real Embiid Answer
Neemias Queta has spent the season looking more and more like a useful piece for Boston, and his latest work against Philadelphia only strengthened that case. In the Celtics win over the 76ers, he chipped in 4 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists while giving the team a sturdier presence in the middle, the kind of minutes that can matter against a frontcourt centerpiece like Joel Embiid.
What stood out was not just the size, but the discipline. Queta showed the benefits of his offseason development by moving with better control on defense and making smarter decisions as a passer, helping Boston keep Embiid from getting comfortable and preserving the kind of edge that comes with beating a direct conference rival. The result also helped the Celtics stay in first place in the Eastern Conference, which is exactly the sort of payoff they need from a young big finding his footing. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Are Forcing A Bigger Title Debate Than Fans Expected
Bostons early-season start has already pushed the Celtics into a bigger conversation than most people expected this soon. After the win over Philadelphia, they sit atop the Eastern Conference at 9-2, and the numbers back up what the eye test has suggested so far: this group has looked balanced, deep, and difficult to play against on both ends.
What makes the discussion more interesting is how complete the profile has been across the board. Basketball Reference has the Celtics near the top in offensive, defensive and net rating, a combination that usually belongs to teams with real championship traction rather than clubs still settling into November. It is early, of course, but Boston has done enough to make the title debate feel less like hype and more like a legitimate question. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Paul George Concern Fans Can't Ignore
The Celtics head into their next stretch with a small but notable wrinkle on the injury report, as Paul George will sit out the upcoming game against Toronto because of an illness. It is a brief absence, but it comes at an awkward time for Boston, which has leaned on Georges steady production early this season and has seen him settle in as one of the teams most reliable options.
George had just been at the center of Bostons win over the 76ers, and his recent form has only reinforced how important he has become to the rotation. He has missed only one other game this season, so this will amount to a rare pause, with extra recovery time now built in before the Celtics see Dallas next. [Read more 🡒]