After initially being against the Celtics‘ decision to suspend head coach Ime Udoka for the season, former NBA player Matt Barnes has since retracted those comments, Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee writes. Barnes says the situation is much worse than he originally realized.
“Last night, I spoke on this Ime Udoka situation without having all the facts, and I think as a part of the media, often the media speaks to something, and when they’re wrong, they won’t come out and say it,” Barnes said.
“Since I’m a part of the media now, and I try not to be like everyone else, I try to report and talk with facts and honesty, and I clearly have to say, last night, without knowing all the facts, I spoke on Ime Udoka’s defense, and after finding out the facts after I spoke, I erased what I posted because this situation in Boston is deep. It’s messy. It’s 100 times uglier than any of us thought.”
Barnes added that it’s not his place to share what he heard. Shams Charania of The Athletic initially reported that Udoka was suspended for having an improper, intimate and consensual relationship with a Celtics female staff member, but later stated that the staffer had accused Udoka of making “unwanted comments” to her.
Here are some other notes from the Atlantic:
- Jeff Zilgitt of USA Today believes Udoka left the Celtics with no other choice but to suspend him. Aside from Udoka violating team guidelines, the news came days after Suns owner Robert Sarver was suspended for one year and fined $10MM for his inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Whether the decision was justified or not, Boston clearly got ahead of the situation and showed it takes its culture seriously.
- The Knicks‘ training camp roster is likely set after some recent adjustments, Zach Braziller of the New York Post writes. New York waived M.J. Walker and Quinton Rose (Exhibit 10 deals) on Friday, signing Nuni Omot and Garrison Brooks in their place. The team also signed veterans Svi Mykhailiuk, Ryan Arcidiacono and DaQuan Jeffries. It has 20 players under contract, including two-way players Feron Hunt and Trevor Keels.
- Brian Lewis of the New York Post examines how rookie Donovan Williams won over the Nets. Brooklyn agreed to sign Williams to an Exhibit 10 contract after the draft. He averaged 12.7 points at UNLV last season, shooting 44% from downtown.
When Matt Barnes says “this is ugly” then my people it is ugly.
Waiting for Derek Fischer to comment as well. That would seal the deal.
Barnes is a wannabee. Looking for a payday is all. Has no credibility.
The irony of KnickerbockerAl saying someone has no credibility…he’s adorable.
If it’s that ugly wouldn’t you just can him?
What’s the plan now for a team with NBA title hopes? If they win the championship you can’t bring him back. If they go deep into the postseason is it worth bringing him back. I just think they put themselves in position to have more uncomfortable pressers and headlines.
@ kremer
I would guess that they’re planning to fire him, and are just negotiating the details. It’s not possible for the Celtics to bring him back after this.
What details? If he broke team policy and you investigated him for months you can him, with cause, and walk away. Now if you fire him in 2 weeks you have another cycle of bad press and headlines.
Legally, it’s not that simple. The main detail is how much they have to pay him to go away.
Yeah I’m still confused because all I’m hearing from those who know the truth is that it’s ugly, messy, and 100 times worse than you think which makes it sound like it’s a borderline criminal matter, so if that’s the case then why didn’t the league get involved or authorities brought in and at the very least why wasn’t he fired?
Borderline criminal isn’t what I’m gathering here. I’m guessing she wanted to end things with him and he wouldn’t let her. The authorities wouldn’t get involved with that unless there was some sort of assault, but if the ugliness is something like Udoka threatening to ruin her career if she dumped him, that’s definitely a fireable offense for him and warrants a lawsuit.
That’s what I’m hoping but when you hear former athletes and people in the media who have basically seen it all when it comes to this stuff are shocked by the layers of what happened and walking back their initial takes then it does make me wonder.
But it is if he broke rules in his contract. It’s called fired with cause. It’s how Urban Meyer went bye bye. If you break a rule in the contract it’s void.
Barnes the Clown. I am not like everyone else?? Really he reported on something he clearly didn’t have all the facts. He isn’t going to comment but “ it is 100 times uglier”. Dude just go away. Cancer on teams 100 times uglier in the media
You’re holding on to something. I’m not sure what but it seems like it’s really effective
Matt Barnes did the right thing. He came out on his platform and blasted the Celtic organization for suspending Udoka. However, after he got a call from someone with ALL the details, he went back on his platform to say he was wrong.
Barnes has set some things straight here, without revealing exactly what happened, for a number of us “speculators”, including myself commenting on the Udoka situation.
Clearly, Udoka crossed more lines here than just the office romance rules in the Celtic guidelines. Barnes made it clear that the situation is ugly, and that Udoka is in the wrong.
Udoka will not be back as head coach of the Celtics. By the time that gets announced, after the season, it will no longer be a big story.
Just remember, you heard it here first, Quinn Snyder will be head coach of the Boston Celtics for the 2023-24 season.
Unless they really wanna make a statement after this mess…
Becky Hammon
Then Snyder goes to San Antonio.
So this is the prized coach. Nets messed up on. According to NY media. Guy is in his 40s. And still chasing tail he should bevno where’s near. Plenty of fish in the sea. Why fish in your backyard. Guys an idiot. Bye bye