Jayson Tatum on Working with Sam Cassell: ‘It’s Been Great'

Jayson Tatum credits Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell for helping grow the four-time All-Star's game.

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Early in the Celtics' 123-110 win over the Knicks on Tuesday, with over a dozen pounds of muscle added this summer, Jayson Tatum, operating near the high post, backed down Quentin Grimes with ease as he turned around and got a simple two over him.

Post-game, the four-time All-Star credited the new Celtics' assistant coach, Sam Cassell, as the two have been seen working a lot after practice on the former's moves, including creating separation on post-ups from the low and mid-post.

"That's something that we work on every day after practice," said Tatum after Boston's preseason victory over New York. "Just a little bit at a time, and you know, like I said, that's something we do every single day after practice."

Tatum had a lot of praise for Cassell, a three-time champion, including contributing to raising Banner 17 to the TD Garden rafters.

"It's been great," the former Duke Blue Devil expressed of having Cassell as his position coach. "You know, he talks a lot; he's a very animated guy, a lot of personality, but he's, you know, very funny. A lot of great stories, and he knows a lot. He played 14–15 years in this league, well-respected, and it's great to have somebody that has been a player, had a lot of success, won championships. Learning a lot, and we love having him around."

Tatum went on to further explain why he decided to work with the former Florida State star.

"I think I was like a freshman in high school going to see the Washington Wizards play when Brad (Beal) was out there," he said. "I remember Sam was his position coach, and you know, they had a great relationship. I remember talking to Brad when Sam got the job; Brad spoke very highly of him and how much he felt like he helped him early in his career."

With his added strength and new reps with Cassell, Tatum can get back to his array of shot-making in the paint more consistently. Another MVP-caliber season could await the three-time All-NBA figure.

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