Boston Celtics choose from within; promote Mike Longabardi to assist
Doc Rivers – NBA News
The Boston Celtics announced Wednesday that the empty spot on their bench, left by the outgoing Lawrence Frank, will be occupied by Mike Longabardi next season. Lombardi has been with the Boston Celtics since 2007 and his influence
as a voice in the backroom staff has steadily grown since then.
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers was visibly pleased with the development,
"I'm looking forward to adding Mike to our bench," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "He has been in the fold the last four years and he's more than ready for the next step."
Mike Longabardi has extensive coaching experience in both the NBA and at the college level. Before signing with the Celtics he worked at the Houston Rockets in various capacities including as an assistant coach/video coordinator,
video coordinator and assistant video coordinator.
The 38 year old also was a success as a coach at the college level and became renowned then for his defensive focus. The defensive background makes Mike an appropriate choice for the Celtics, who have a defence first mentality.
Promoting Longabardi also makes sense because it will keep some semblance of continuity going at the franchise.
The Celtics have lost assistant coaches in each of their last two NBA seasons and the franchise looks set for another major change after next season, when the Big Three trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are likely
to be dissembled.
Lawrence Frank, River’s assistant coach last year, joined the Detroit Pistons as head coach on the same day of Mike’s promotion. Frank had only been with Boston for a year and had previous coaching experience with the New Jersey
Nets.
Before him, Boston had Tom Thibodeau as lead assistant to Doc Rivers. He left the franchise before the start of the previous season to become the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He changed the fortunes around for his new club,
leading them to the best record in the league in what was his first season with them.
Now Boston are hoping Mike Longabardi can continue the tradition of defensive specialist assistants who have played a vital role in the success, they have achieved over the last few years. Mike’s appointment is also believed to
be the last nail in the coffin for Larry Brown. Brown, a former NBA World Championship winning head coach with the Detroit Pistons, was believed to be interested in taking up the position vacated by Lawrence Frank.
It is not yet clear whether Mike Longabardi will serve as the lead assistant to Doc Rivers. It is more likely though that he will form part of a trio of assistants with Kevin Eastman and Armond Hill already on the sidelines.
Tags: