Unlike JJ Redick, This 54YO NBA Coach’s Struggle Remains as Matt Barnes and Co-Host Dissects Major Issue

JJ Redick will finally make his coaching debut this year with the Lakers. While the former Duke shows great promise for the team, are there potential candidates who went unnoticed? Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson in the latest episode of All The Smoke Podcast weighed in on talented and experienced assistant coaches who have what it takes to become NBA head coaches.

Some of the names tossed in the conversation are Sam Cassell, Phil Handy, and Rico Hines. Despite having the experience these assistant coaches are yet to get their break as NBA Head Coach. “Got a chance to know Sam really well. Great dude. Will he be passed over? Will he get any kind of look? 15-year assistant,” Barnes emphasized. He further stated how these coaches, unfortunately, get stuck in one role for years despite having immense basketball knowledge.

“It’s a good living, but they never get that first seat. So I wonder if Sam will be someone that kind of falls victim to that or someone really going to give him a shot,” Barnes highlighted the problem. “Being around him, knowing his IQ, and how much he loves the game, he definitely should have gotten [the role]” he further adds.

As Barnes stated, Cassell bags an interesting resume, having won his first championship title this year as the assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. He has assumed the role at four different franchises and been a right-hand man to Doc Rivers for nine seasons. However, the 54-year-old has remained an assistant coach for about 15 years, since joining the Washington Wizards in 2009. He has also expressed his wish to assume the role of a head coach as per Brandon Robinson but is waiting for the right opportunity to come by.

For now, the Celtics are ‘keen’ to promote Cassell. HC Joe Mazzulla has given his flowers to the former Rockets’ star attesting to his widely agreeable coaching and player development skills. But a HC position remains a question.

Similar to the instance, there are two other names mentioned by the retired NBA player.

Matt Barnes’ hopes for Phil Handy and Rico Hines

Phil Handy is one of the most decorated as a coach. He has three Championship titles under his belt. He was the assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers and also won the NBA In-Season Tournament championship last year. However, with Darvin Ham, the entire coaching staff was fired. Nonetheless, Handy might be a promising candidate as a head coach as per Barnes.

Expressing his wish to hire these talents as head coach if he were hypothetically a GM, Barnes said, “If I’m a GM or I’m an owner, that’s the kind of s**t I’m looking for in a coach and he’s a perfect example of it and our brother Rico Heinz is a perfect example of being and knows the game and can relate to these guys. I can get through these guys. So you know, I’m definitely hoping you know, Sam Phil Handy Rico will get a shot in these next coming years.”

Da Rico Hines has worked with different franchises such as the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and more. Currently, he is working with the Philadelphia 76ers. As mentioned above, these assistant coaches have plenty of experience and are capable of leading an NBA team. All they need is a chance, which both Barnes and Jackson are positive about. Well, now that Redick has managed to accomplish the goal, there soon might be options for the other talented coaches too.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.