Former Celtics assistant Lee is grateful for a year in Boston

“It’s cool to go to a championship organization with so much history,” he said before the Hornets hosted the Celtics on Friday night. “How they structured their daily routine and what it means to be a Celtic.” It was really cool and interesting for me and my family. As a coach, I could see how it works to have so much talent on a team and have the goal of being one of the best teams in the NBA all year long.

“This team has been through some difficulties and we are trying to overcome that hurdle. Going on that journey with them last year and seeing everything that comes with it was cool for me and my growth.”

Lee was a highly respected assistant coach and the Celtics were looking for a head coach Joe Mazzulla a little more help after the disappointing end to the 2022-23 season. With several of I am UdokaWhen the Celtics team moved to him in Houston, Lee and the former NBA champion were added to the Celtics Sam Cassell. Lee had been training Al Horford as an assistant in Atlanta and Jrue holiday in Milwaukee.

“He just had a really good perspective,” Mazzulla said. “Anytime you have a group of coaches that work with other great coaches like (Mike Budenholzer) and been around other superstars, you just have different experiences to draw from. He had several experiences, mostly successful. Charles was a huge help to Jrue in his transition. This relationship was crucial for us.”

Lee and Holiday and their families are close, and Holiday said he has been recruiting Lee as a potential head coach for the past few years. They won a championship alongside the Bucks in 2020-21.

“I’m happy for him; “I’m excited for him to be the head coach,” Holiday said. “He's finally getting the opportunity to make a name for himself on his team and in this league, but I love him more than anything and I'm super proud of him. I advocated for him, but just seeing him fulfill his dream of becoming a head coach is huge.”

Lee said he approached the opportunity in Boston with particular focus, knowing he was close to his first coaching job.

“You have a team to work with, it's historic and we had a chance to win a championship,” he said. “For me it was an opportunity to do whatever I could to help the team. Whatever Joe needed, whatever the team needed.

“Knowing this experience could expand my background in working with different superstar players, another championship trip and a playoff experience. There was so much to take in and I wanted to make sure I took it all in.”

Tatum promises aggression

After a blazing hot start from the 3-point line, Jayson Tatum He scored six times on his last 26 from long range in Friday's game against the Hornets, including 5-for-18 in Wednesday's overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The 18 attempts were a career high for Tatum, and he admitted it was too many.

“No, I got way too committed in the last game, especially at the end of the first quarter,” he said. “I shot about five three-pointers in the last minute and a half, and at the start of overtime I shot about three three-pointers. That’s exactly eight that I just set, and I relied on my height that I would like to have back.”

Hauser feels good

Sam Hauser missed three games with back soreness after the opener on Oct. 22, but returned Wednesday and scored 5 points in 14 minutes. He was also available Friday but said he will continue to watch his back as the season progresses.

“It’s kind of a work in progress, you get back into it,” he said. “I'm just working on doing rehab stuff, frosting, getting treatment to make sure it's right.

“Definitely still a work in progress. Honestly, it could be many years before I played basketball. Hopefully it’s just a small flare-up.”

With Hauser unavailable, Mazzulla chose the second-year swingman Jordan Walsh for the most extensive minutes of his career. Walsh's contributions are primarily defense and rebounding. Hauser brings a floor-stretching element with his 3-point shooting.

I can't call Al

Friday marked the first game of the Celtics' first back-to-back set this season and the 38-year-old center Al Horford was reserved for load management. Horford hasn't played in two games since returning to Boston, but is expected to return for Saturday's second game in Charlotte. The Celtics received good minutes from the backup center on Wednesday Neemias Quetawho had 9 rebounds (4 offensive) in 14 minutes.

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.