Ime Udoka suspended for the 22-23 season

brendan f

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Yeah this isn't just one of those "a coach is a coach" moments.

When Brad moved upstairs, there was a lot of talk around hiring an AA coach, a guy that could get the best out of players, someone with credibility and experience. A good mind, but having played in the league as a huge plus. Someone who could elevate the Jays a level and get the whole team playing more connected. The players certainly gave input on Ime and factored into the decision. Then he took them to the finals. Now he's being forced out after one year, and the team is leaking all of this stuff to the media rather than speaking out. It would be a shock if the players don't develop strong negative feelings over how this went down. I'm not sure if people don't see this or don't think that it matters.
Agree with all of this except it's not true (according to Brad Stevens) they had input into Ime's hire. Brad was asked in an interview if they had input into the hire and he said they did not. Before the interview process started, Brad did ask the players the kind of coach they would want to play for, so that input was used, but they did not have input on the specific hire. I know that's a minor detail but just want to keep things straight.
 

djbayko

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It’s Merloni, and he may be full of it, but it also makes a ton of sense.

As for how the players will respond to a year suspension or more, I’d like to think that as grown adults, they’re able to realize that this is a consequence of Ime’s own actions and that no one is being “forced out”. They might be disappointed, which is fine - I think we are all disappointed - but if they have negative feelings towards the franchise because of this, then there’s something else fundamentally wrong under the covers.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Yeah, feels like they are negotiating the exit now---silence from the team, Ime's agent positioning through Haynes.

What a mess.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
Dozens and dozens of folks have All Access, including game day employees like security, scoring crew, PR Staff and more.

Hell, *I* had All Access before and after C’s games as did whoever I brought to the game with me, at least two dozen times when I was a regular there awhile back. And I was a friend of a friend of a staffer.
That's my point: she may not have had Motive or Method at the time, but she had plenty of Opportunity. (in response to posters asking how they could have possibly even met in the first place)

It’s Merloni, and he may be full of it, but it also makes a ton of sense.
I think Lou has it, I suspect they are negotiating a buyout and that is the delay today.
Which is what we've been speculating here on SoSH for how many hours now....
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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Pure Devil's advocate here, but what happens if two or more of Tatum, Brown, and Smart refuse to report if Ime is not the coach?

Because I can almost guarantee that one or more players have seen this story and said, "So what? Get over it and let the man coach."
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Perhaps it’s just an offshoot of my general opinion that coaching is not THAT important compared to the players on the court. As far as wins and losses. I’m more concerned about Rob not being back to full health than replacing Ime with Mazzulla and potentially Frank Vogel.

Again, we don’t know the details or how this will play out. If the Jays are truly upset about this, things could go sideways (but that’s getting back to who is playing on the court).

Ime is/was a solid coach with the potential to be more than that, but I also don’t think he is the second coming of Red or Pop.
While I generally agree that players matter way more than the coach in terms of winning, the problem with coaching is that having a coach that doesn't fit can seriously negatively impact a team's performance. E.g., after Fitch wore out his welcome, the Cs weren't going to win anything but KC could.
 

HomeRunBaker

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If permanent wonder if that changes the interim tag? Or possibly hire someone more established?
Everything I’ve heard along with the Celtics actions suggest that they love Mazzulla. He was one of the only assistants retained post-Ainge, possibly only one I’d have to look, and blocked from leaving for Utah with Hardy who wanted to take him there. I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t move forward with as much continuity as possible under these circumstances.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Says the guy who was fired from ESPN for having poor judgment.
This is the type of player attitude I’d expect having come from the culture where they live which I posted of earlier. Of course I personally don’t agree with it but that’s the lifestyle they live.
 

amfox1

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Pure Devil's advocate here, but what happens if two or more of Tatum, Brown, and Smart refuse to report if Ime is not the coach?

Because I can almost guarantee that one or more players have seen this story and said, "So what? Get over it and let the man coach."
Nothing. Training camp goes on, and the players report back before they start missing paychecks. No one's missing a paycheck because Ime's no longer the coach.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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If permanent wonder if that changes the interim tag? Or possibly hire someone more established?
An "established" coach that is not good enough to be head coach on one of the other 29 franchises? I'd hope the team would rather keep the "1-year suspension" shell game going and name an assistant as interim rather than permanent HC to minimize the pressure.

Or think outside the box and tilt the dynamics totally...Kara Lawson, come on back!
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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This is the type of player attitude I’d expect having come from the culture where they live which I posted of earlier. Of course I personally don’t agree with it but that’s the lifestyle they live.
We don't know what info Pierce has or if he feels compelled to speak up for a fellow peer/acquaintance/friend. This Tweet certainly has the potential to age poorly too.

Until we have the full story - if we get it at all - its hard to tease out legitimate commentary from signalling. Its entirely possible that players/contemporaries may say one thing publicly but have a different perspective in private.

We just don't know enough yet.
 
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djbayko

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Pure Devil's advocate here, but what happens if two or more of Tatum, Brown, and Smart refuse to report if Ime is not the coach?

Because I can almost guarantee that one or more players have seen this story and said, "So what? Get over it and let the man coach."
Really? What if the rumor of him having an affair with the wife of a Celtics executive is true? I’d think less of a man who can’t see the organizational damage that could cause.

I don’t know why people seem so sure that the players can’t see this the same way other rational adults can.
 

Ale Xander

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An "established" coach that is not good enough to be head coach on one of the other 29 franchises? I'd hope the team would rather keep the "1-year suspension" shell game going and name an assistant as interim rather than permanent HC to minimize the pressure.

Or think outside the box and tilt the dynamics totally...Kara Lawson, come on back!
Or they can stay in the Pop disciple list and get Becky Hammon from the Aces if that's allowed. (Cmon Silver, get it done) Better than Lawson, Vogel and Mozz imho
 

4 6 3 DP

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I don't know if the Celtics are considered generally PR savvy or not, but they haven't had a good day today handling a situation that while messy, didn't need to be almost 24 hours now of people trying to figure out who the head coach was screwing around with and what he could have been done to be worth what seems to be the worst team rendered disciplinary penalty in sports history.

The story has clearly been internally known for a period of time now. How could they not be prepared at bare minimum to do basic crisis management rather than let the media world do nothing but pass judgement at Ime or the team for overreacting (to something they likely don't have details on)?
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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Really? What if the rumor of him having an affair with the wife of a Celtics executive is true? I’d think less of a man who can’t see the organizational damage that could cause.

I don’t know why people seem so sure that the players can’t see this the same way other rational adults can.
Right. Players want their coach to be 100% committed, but it should be fairly obvious for the players that covering for an affair takes a lot of effort that could have been spent with their mind on the team.
 

ifmanis5

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Woj on ESPN: Brad Stevens became aware of the improper relationship situation and came to the conclusion that the breach in trust and in judgement was too severe to overlook. Woj still reporting that the one year suspension should be announced sometime tonight.
 

lexrageorge

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I don't know if the Celtics are considered generally PR savvy or not, but they haven't had a good day today handling a situation that while messy, didn't need to be almost 24 hours now of people trying to figure out who the head coach was screwing around with and what he could have been done to be worth what seems to be the worst team rendered disciplinary penalty in sports history.

The story has clearly been internally known for a period of time now. How could they not be prepared at bare minimum to do basic crisis management rather than let the media world do nothing but pass judgement at Ime or the team for overreacting (to something they likely don't have details on)?
If they are negotiating a settlement with Ime, legal has told them to say nothing until it is done.
 

Marbleheader

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The coverage and discussion today absent of any facts or statements being released really strikes a nerve with me. People throwing out random names of who it could be, reacting to dubious 'sources', drawing conclusions without any facts, it's repulsive. I know it's not a new phenomenon in this society, but it doesn't make it any more palatable.
 

Bread of Yaz

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I don't know if the Celtics are considered generally PR savvy or not, but they haven't had a good day today handling a situation that while messy, didn't need to be almost 24 hours now of people trying to figure out who the head coach was screwing around with and what he could have been done to be worth what seems to be the worst team rendered disciplinary penalty in sports history.

The story has clearly been internally known for a period of time now. How could they not be prepared at bare minimum to do basic crisis management rather than let the media world do nothing but pass judgement at Ime or the team for overreacting (to something they likely don't have details on)?
I'm wondering if there was internal division on how to handle - and then the leak came from a hardliner to create a media firestorm and force the Celtics' hand.
 

Marciano490

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The Celtics and the leaker really should’ve thought more about all the women in the organization getting their names thrown out. Ime is an adult and made choices. Those other folks were just working while female.
 

djbayko

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The Celtics and the leaker really should’ve thought more about all the women in the organization getting their names thrown out. Ime is an adult and made choices. Those other folks were just working while female.
If it wasn’t a sanctioned leak, what are the Celtics supposed to do? Confirming or denying any particular woman only narrows the field.
 

djbayko

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So I’m guessing it’s going to be a year long suspension with a lengthy buyout negotiation in the background? They couldn’t come to an agreement quickly and need to stem the bleeding.
 

JFK35

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this better be EGREGIOUS.

because you’re ruining a potential championship season, ruining IMES career, having a bunch of females having their names dragged through the mud. The whole thing is a joke
 

jose melendez

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Prediction: it’s going to be really bad.

I can’t imagine it’s going this much to shit over anything remotely borderline. Like not criminal, but clearly intolerable.
 

Sam Ray Not

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this better be EGREGIOUS.

because you’re ruining a potential championship season, ruining IMES career, having a bunch of females having their names dragged through the mud. The whole thing is a joke
Settle down, Beavis.
 

Justthetippett

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Probably the most consequential decision Brad will make as Pres/GM, just because it likely has so many after effects. He better be sure. (This assumes it’s his decision and not an edict from Wyc and Pags.)
 

NDame616

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this better be EGREGIOUS.

because you’re ruining a potential championship season, ruining IMES career, having a bunch of females having their names dragged through the mud. The whole thing is a joke
What if I told you...a team's championship aspirations shouldn't be taken into account when dealing with a inappropriate relationship at the highest level of a billion dollar business ?
 

Red Right Ankle

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What if I told you...a team's championship aspirations shouldn't be taken into account when dealing with a inappropriate relationship at the highest level of a billion dollar business ?
Whoa whoa whoa there are more important things than SPORTS!?
 

NDame616

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Great but then why leak yesterday? Why not make the deal and not create a bleep show crisis?
Story was going to come out in the next few days and they tried to get out in front of it probably.

From an earlier report the players knew for a few days. They'll only stay quiet so long...
 

Marciano490

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this better be EGREGIOUS.

because you’re ruining a potential championship season, ruining IMES career, having a bunch of females having their names dragged through the mud. The whole thing is a joke
Or, and stick with me, maybe IME ruined his own career by prioritizing an inappropriate relationship over his team and players and colleagues and maybe that’s not the kinda fella you want or trust to drive your Ferrari.
 

jezza1918

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Or, and stick with me, maybe IME ruined his own career by prioritizing an inappropriate relationship over his team and players and colleagues and maybe that’s not the kinda fella you want or trust to drive your Ferrari.
This is gold and will likely be copied and pasted into various group text threads. Thank you.