Suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka‘s head coaching days in the NBA at large may be numbered, according to one connected source. During an interview with “DJ Vlad” Lyubovny on Lyubovny’s YouTube channel VladTV (YouTube link), player-turned-podcaster Matt Barnes voiced his skepticism regarding a long-term coaching future for Udoka, who led his team to a 51-31 season in 2021/22 and an NBA Finals appearance.
“It’s not about what he did, it’s about who he did it with,” Barnes said. “If everything comes out, he’ll be lucky to coach in the NBA again to be honest with you.”
There’s more out of Boston:
- Celtics assistant coach Damon Stoudamire, who is close friends with Udoka, wants to help Boston continue its trajectory as a perennial contender, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Stoudamire enjoyed a 13-year playing career during which he was named the 1996 Rookie of the Year. “Nothing has changed in the room in what the expectations and the goals are,” Stoudamire said. “We’ve got to be prepared from that standpoint, mentally more than anything, because I think physically things will be there. We’ll get to that point.”
- Although Clippers assistant coach Jay Larranaga has opted to remain in Los Angeles, the Celtics are talking to additional assistant coach prospects to bolster the bench behind interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, reports Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link).
- Mazzulla is retaining the structure and pacing of Udoka’s practices during training camp, but players have noticed differences in approach as the new interim coach strives to establish himself, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “There’s similarities, but there’s some differences as well,” star wing Jaylen Brown said. “But at the end of the day, this group has been together for a while, so we hold each other accountable for what we need to do and the energy level practice gotta be at every single day.”
“If everything comes out, he’ll be lucky to coach in the NBA again to be honest with you.”
If everything comes out? So this could be the tip of the iceberg? Yikes, let’s hope not.
But, I do have a saying and it relates to many things in life if you think about it…
“Where there’s one, there’s several.”
– Gary 9:29.
Gary 9:29 — one of my most often quoted verses
Yes as, “where there’s boom, there’s usually shaka laka.”
I’m wondering if the Clippers told Larranaga that he’d get a long look during the interview process if something were to happen with Lou?
I would think if he had inside Celtics knowledge that he would know whether Ime’s time in green was about to end, and the door would open for the top spot on the bench?
Why must “The Dog Chase the Cat”. Gotta to be the Dog in Me !!!! .
Who cares ….. bye it was real.
Yes very true but stay off my lawn.
Udoka has been all over that Lawn lol.
Bow-wow-yippie-yo-yippie-yeah
“… it’s about who he did it with”. Has to be a player’s wife or the owner’s wife right? Maybe a player’s or the owner’s daughter? Who else could he have slept with such that it would put his coaching career into question?
I heard it was the VP of Accounting fiance.
Interesting. I’m sure the VP of accounting at the Celtics is a very important position filled by a very capable person, but I just don’t see how that’s someone who would cause Udoka’s coaching career to be jeopardized. Of course, Barnes could just be pumping things up.
Someone directly related to the blue blood families in Boston.
If it ever comes out?
Sounds like you know something and work in the media now. So why aren’t you reporting? Either say it or don’t but that’s a BS statement.
Also why wouldn’t the C’s just can him for cause at the beginning. I have asked that so many times and all people say is “it’s not that easy to fire someone”. It is if it’s such a clear violation of team rules and so bad he would never coach in the NBA again. And even if it would involve then eating the contract why keep the bad press. None of this makes sense.
Usually they would suspend someone to buy themselves some time to see if they want to fire them. They know he did something wrong, but do they want to terminate the employment is the question. Safe way to buy some time.
The only thing that really doesn’t make sense is that no one has leaked what actually happened yet.
Gary, he’s done. At best, Pop will give him a scouting job eventually.
Maybe.
Agree he’s done. Guys got talent. He can go overseas and help a lot there.
Buy time for it to slowly leak out what happened and keep it in the news cycle. Because This stuff never comes out…
That’s just bad management if that’s actually what you think. And I don’t buy that excuse at all. Hoping no one finds out? Stop.
The new media as Draymond calls it is mostly made up of former and current players who at best sit on the fence of any controversial issue, cover for other players, or as JJ did with Simmons give softball interviews. Barnes is part of that
I will go there.
Nia Long and Ime Udoka are swingers. They came into a situation that was fully developed in the Boston front office prior to them getting there.
His wife was the one setting things up.
We have a madames black book situation. If it comes out is code for they are trying to hide the names of more than just a few people.
Does she wear a thumb ring or rings on her toes? Some lady at a bar with her husband close by told me those are some of the “signals” or indicators.
You learn so much visiting tropical islands in the Caribbean.
Sick of Matt Barnes knowing everything but saying nothing except “it’s bad.” Tell us or STFU!
Udoka is getting what he deserves, right?