The new-look, small-ball, defensive-minded team that Ujiri has been constructing this off-season now has the bench crew to give Casey the support he lacked during the playoffs.
Most notable, Rex Kalamian, who is coming off six seasons with the Thunder (the last two as lead assistant). Having been part of OKC’s great run the last few years, he brings credibility and understanding of what a winning program looks like. If nothing else, having had worked with the likes of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka et al, gives him instant credibility as an elite talent manager.
Andy Greer spent the last 5 years under Thibodeau in Chicago, and is a known quantity to Casey from their time spent in Minnesota together. Defense? Yes! Offense? Probably not, but this team knows how to get buckets.
Jerry Stackhouse rounds out the bench, and brings with him an understanding of what it takes to make it in this league. 18 years as a player is nothing to shake a stick at; we can only hope that he can have an impact with the likes of Ross and Johnson, shaping some of the perceived (or real) problems that they have been manifesting over the last few seasons.
Ujiri has earned some time off IMO.
Full press release here:, here’s a Casey quote:
“I am pleased to add Rex, Andy and Jerry to our coaching staff,” said Casey. “They are established winners at the NBA level, and bring valuable experience and a passion for the game to our team.
“Together with Nick and Jama, we have a group that will challenge our players daily to improve and compete.”
