Ime Udoka suspended for the 22-23 season

JM3

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Are they ready to add veteran pieces? If not this is a 20-25 win team imo.
They won 22 this year & 9 of their top 10 in minutes were 22 or younger (Eric Gordon).

I was going to argue that natural progression should take them to at least a few more, but not 100% sure I believe it.
 

lovegtm

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one thing that baffles me is the people on Celtics twitter who think we'd be so much better off with Ime.... I think it's his macho tough guy posturing, because....
We had a better record with Mazzula... Tatum had his career best season, Jaylen had a career best season, Derrick White had a career best season, Joe turned Hauser into a real NBA rotation player, they finished with the best net rating in the league by a signficant margin..... this year's team is a lot better than last year's, and it isn't just adding Brogdon.
And note that Joe didn't have TL healthy for most of the season, unlike Ime.

Mazzulla has been a better head coach, and I don't think it's that close.

I will acknowledge that Ime did a really really valuable culture reset with the team, and Joe got to take over from that. But you don't want to be culture resetting all the time; you actually need a coach at some point.
 

brendan f

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one thing that baffles me is the people on Celtics twitter who think we'd be so much better off with Ime.... I think it's his macho tough guy posturing, because....
We had a better record with Mazzula... Tatum had his career best season, Jaylen had a career best season, Derrick White had a career best season, Joe turned Hauser into a real NBA rotation player, they finished with the best net rating in the league by a signficant margin..... this year's team is a lot better than last year's, and it isn't just adding Brogdon.
It's impossible to know. Ime (with a lot of help from Brad) deserves credit for turning the team around. And the turnaround they had last year was quite remarkable. Tatum and Smart are both on record as saying he's the best coach they've ever had. These are not small accomplishments. But Joe deserves credit, too, especially for maximizing Hauser and opening up more three ball. He'll get plenty of credit if they finish their business in the playoffs.
 

DannyDarwinism

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one thing that baffles me is the people on Celtics twitter who think we'd be so much better off with Ime.... I think it's his macho tough guy posturing, because....
Agree that this is a big part of it, and while that played well enough with a winning roster filled with super coachable guys and veteran leadership, he now goes to the youngest team in the league, led by two guys barely old enough to drink, one of whom (Green) is a horrific, low-effort defender another who has a sizable track record of knuckleheadedness. Add to that the fact that Ime's veneer of authority has taken a big, public, hit, and things could go south pretty quickly.
 

m0ckduck

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It's impossible to know. Ime (with a lot of help from Brad) deserves credit for turning the team around. And the turnaround they had last year was quite remarkable. Tatum and Smart are both on record as saying he's the best coach they've ever had. These are not small accomplishments. But Joe deserves credit, too, especially for maximizing Hauser and opening up more three ball. He'll get plenty of credit if they finish their business in the playoffs.
My take on this is that there was a very real turnaround in terms of toughness, team culture and accountability that happened last season, and that Ime probably deserves a lot of credit for. But it's not a lesson you need to learn over and over again, every year. Hard-ass coaches often turn teams around in their first season or two but then wear out their welcome over time, and it wouldn't surprise me if that's how things had played out with Ime. Plus, he got badly out-coached in the playoffs last year. Plus, he had Derrick White constantly looking over his shoulder after every miss to see if he was being subbed out. So, yeah, it will be interesting to see how he fares at his next stop.

Regarding the Tatum/Smart part: that's not nothing, but it's not like those guys have played for a lot of coaches either. << edit: never mind, I thought this was in reference to Udoka, not JM.
 
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Cellar-Door

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My take on this is that there was a very real turnaround in terms of toughness, team culture and accountability that happened last season, and that Ime probably deserves a lot of credit for. But it's not a lesson you need to learn over and over again, every year. Hard-ass coaches often turn teams around in their first season or two but then wear out their welcome over time, and it wouldn't surprise me if that's how things had played out with Ime. Plus, he got badly out-coached in the playoffs last year. Plus, he had Derrick White constantly looking over his shoulder after every miss to see if he was being subbed out. So, yeah, it will be interesting to see how he fares at his next stop.

Regarding the Tatum/Smart part: that's not nothing, but it's not like those guys have played for a lot of coaches either. << edit: never mind, I thought this was in reference to Udoka, not JM.
Ime might be a good coach, but my biggest takeaway last year was less that they needed Ime, then just they needed SOMEONE new, Brad is a better coach than Ime, but like a lot of coaches he got stale, guys tuned him out, it happens. They needed to shake things up (also trading for Horford was I think very big, both on court and off), and Ime was the guy they chose, and they probably did choose him because his personality is VERY different from Brad.
 

joe dokes

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Ime might be a good coach, but my biggest takeaway last year was less that they needed Ime, then just they needed SOMEONE new, Brad is a better coach than Ime, but like a lot of coaches he got stale, guys tuned him out, it happens. They needed to shake things up (also trading for Horford was I think very big, both on court and off), and Ime was the guy they chose, and they probably did choose him because his personality is VERY different from Brad.
This makes sense. That's not to say (and I don't think you're saying it), that they would have made the Finals with *any* coach.
I think as between Ime and JoeM the "who is a good coach/better coach/more responsible" is beyond my analytical skills. But I am certain that Ime's media water-carriers are ready with either giving him credit for success or absolving him of responsibility for whatever failure is as soon as the final whistle blows.
 

Smokey Joe

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The amount of water carrying that went on in the media for the benefit of Ime Udoka over this entire episode has been eye opening. I wonder if Wojnarowski is going to be getting a percentage of Ime’s new salary.
 

bosockboy

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The fact that 8 months after the fact we still have no idea what happened is astounding. Incredible job by the organization to protect the woman involved. I wouldn’t be surprised if staffers were offered paydays from TMZ Sports.
 

Auger34

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The amount of water carrying that went on in the media for the benefit of Ime Udoka over this entire episode has been eye opening. I wonder if Wojnarowski is going to be getting a percentage of Ime’s new salary.
This.

It’s been very eye opening, from Woj in particular. Literally every job that opened or was rumored to open, Woj was tripping all over himself to tweet out that Ime specifically was a candidate.

It was weird and off putting, especially since it was really only done by Woj (on twitter at least)
 

NomarsFool

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The fact that 8 months after the fact we still have no idea what happened is astounding. Incredible job by the organization to protect the woman involved. I wouldn’t be surprised if staffers were offered paydays from TMZ Sports.
It is amazing. It's obviously the priority that the woman's identity has been protected. Unfortunately, the consequence of this is that the narrative that Ime was fired because the Celtics ownership are a bunch of prudes and Ime forgot to put the appropriate cover pages on his TPS reports to be continuously spread.
 

67YAZ

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Ime might be a good coach, but my biggest takeaway last year was less that they needed Ime, then just they needed SOMEONE new, Brad is a better coach than Ime, but like a lot of coaches he got stale, guys tuned him out, it happens. They needed to shake things up (also trading for Horford was I think very big, both on court and off), and Ime was the guy they chose, and they probably did choose him because his personality is VERY different from Brad.
Ime and his staff also got whupped by Kerr and his staff on the finals. To my eye, every game of that series it seemed like the Warriors were rolling out new wrinkles, variations, defensive tweaks and the Celtics were left to react. And that Kerr won the large majority of in-game adjustments, too.

No real shame there - Kerr is a proven HoF’er with a fantastic, deep staff and Ime was a rookie head coach. But I’m watching JoeM to see how he rolls in the playoffs and if he can Match his more experienced counterparts. Ime couldn’t last year.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Brad is a better coach than Ime, but like a lot of coaches he got stale, guys tuned him out, it happens. They needed to shake things up (also trading for Horford was I think very big, both on court and off), and Ime was the guy they chose, and they probably did choose him because his personality is VERY different from Brad.
I don't know I'd necessarily say that Brad is a better coach than Ime. Brad is probably a better college coach than Ime when he had guys who would just listen to him but not sure Brad is better at managing NBA players. I mean his thing about never criticizing guys for taking shots makes some sense but seems counterproductive in some circumstances.

OTOH, I guess we're going to find out a lot more about Ime in the next couple of seasons.
 

Cellar-Door

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I don't know I'd necessarily say that Brad is a better coach than Ime. Brad is probably a better college coach than Ime when he had guys who would just listen to him but not sure Brad is better at managing NBA players. I mean his thing about never criticizing guys for taking shots makes some sense but seems counterproductive in some circumstances.

OTOH, I guess we're going to find out a lot more about Ime in the next couple of seasons.
I think Brad is a considerably better play/scheme developer, he's better in use of timeouts/plays, and he's honestly probably better at rotations (Ime had a less unbalanced roster and basically just ran 8 guys all year with tons of minutes). I think Brad's motivation stuff works for a while, then guys get complacent. But I think people undervalue how good Brad was, his teams until the last year consistently overperformed their talent, his plays get stolen all over the league... he was really good. If he quit as GM tomorrow there would be offers not just from every team with an opening, there would be teams (some in the playoffs) willing to fire their coach for him. Brad was an elite NBA coach.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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I think Brad is a considerably better play/scheme developer, he's better in use of timeouts/plays, and he's honestly probably better at rotations (Ime had a less unbalanced roster and basically just ran 8 guys all year with tons of minutes). I think Brad's motivation stuff works for a while, then guys get complacent. But I think people undervalue how good Brad was, his teams until the last year consistently overperformed their talent, his plays get stolen all over the league... he was really good. If he quit as GM tomorrow there would be offers not just from every team with an opening, there would be teams (some in the playoffs) willing to fire their coach for him. Brad was an elite NBA coach.
I know Brad has a great reputation as a Xs and Os coach and obviously don't have time to look into this but I hesitated while writing my post for a couple of reasons.

(1) IIRC, Ime's ATOs were really good, at one point in the top of the league in ATO. Besides, as Pop has said, once they get into the NBA, pretty much every head coach and head assistant coaches can draw up plays.

(2) While Brad absolutely got the most of his less-talented rosters, over the last couple of years, it seemed to me that BOS ended up being ISO heavy and Brad couldn't get them out of it while Ime did.

(3) With regards to rotations, Ime didn't have a lot of bullets in his holster, particularly once TL got re-injured.

Certainly understand that Brad is highly valued around the league and will certainly be able find another head coaching job after he wins a title. :)) ) But in all seriousness, I'm certain Brad will go back to coaching at some point and when it does, it will be interesting to see how watching Ime and JMazz (and anyone else) changes his style.
 

Smokey Joe

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I know Brad has a great reputation as a Xs and Os coach and obviously don't have time to look into this but I hesitated while writing my post for a couple of reasons.

(1) IIRC, Ime's ATOs were really good, at one point in the top of the league in ATO. Besides, as Pop has said, once they get into the NBA, pretty much every head coach and head assistant coaches can draw up plays.

(2) While Brad absolutely got the most of his less-talented rosters, over the last couple of years, it seemed to me that BOS ended up being ISO heavy and Brad couldn't get them out of it while Ime did.

(3) With regards to rotations, Ime didn't have a lot of bullets in his holster, particularly once TL got re-injured.

Certainly understand that Brad is highly valued around the league and will certainly be able find another head coaching job after he wins a title. :)) ) But in all seriousness, I'm certain Brad will go back to coaching at some point and when it does, it will be interesting to see how watching Ime and JMazz (and anyone else) changes his style.
But how many of Ime’s ATOs were Brad’s? Some one like Brad would not undermine his coaches authority by overtly interfering with playcalling. But I don’t doubt that he would sit in on film sessions and be involved with brainstorming about new plays, especially ATOs to try out on an opponent. I would be surprised if that didn’t happen.
 

Cellar-Door

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I know Brad has a great reputation as a Xs and Os coach and obviously don't have time to look into this but I hesitated while writing my post for a couple of reasons.

(1) IIRC, Ime's ATOs were really good, at one point in the top of the league in ATO. Besides, as Pop has said, once they get into the NBA, pretty much every head coach and head assistant coaches can draw up plays.

(2) While Brad absolutely got the most of his less-talented rosters, over the last couple of years, it seemed to me that BOS ended up being ISO heavy and Brad couldn't get them out of it while Ime did.

(3) With regards to rotations, Ime didn't have a lot of bullets in his holster, particularly once TL got re-injured.

Certainly understand that Brad is highly valued around the league and will certainly be able find another head coaching job after he wins a title. :)) ) But in all seriousness, I'm certain Brad will go back to coaching at some point and when it does, it will be interesting to see how watching Ime and JMazz (and anyone else) changes his style.
I think #2 is about coach fatigue more than anything, and it's why Brad had to go as coach.

As to 1... he was pretty good... he also ran a bunch of Brad's plays from previous years a lot.

for 3... he had a lot more options than some of the Brad years, and was a lot less willing to try things. I mean... do people not remember Brad pulling Gerald Green off a scrap heap, declaring he'd start in the playoffs (Bulls series down 2-0) being mocked for it, then Green completely changing the series? And I look at Ime's roster... he didn't have to build around a triple minus defender tiny PG who needed the ball on offense, which basically every Brad team had. There were a lot of options last year with Horford back.

Honestly that's where I think Brad was clearly better than Ime, he could adjust a lot more effectively, AND he was better at using his bench during the season situationally to develop their skills and find things he might need for a particular matchup... while getting his stars a bit more rest.
 

brendan f

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I don't know I'd necessarily say that Brad is a better coach than Ime. Brad is probably a better college coach than Ime when he had guys who would just listen to him but not sure Brad is better at managing NBA players. I mean his thing about never criticizing guys for taking shots makes some sense but seems counterproductive in some circumstances.
Honestly that's where I think Brad was clearly better than Ime, he could adjust a lot more effectively, AND he was better at using his bench during the season situationally to develop their skills and find things he might need for a particular matchup... while getting his stars a bit more rest.

I mean, Brad coached for eight years in Boston, Ime coached for one. If Brad had coached the Celtics for only his first year how would you grade him? We don't know what Ime would have done in year two or three, etc. or how he would have evolved. Maybe he would have grown better at using his bench, or maybe he wouldn't have. Maybe his harsh style would have grown fatiguing and players would have started tuning him out, or maybe they would have continued to gravitate to it. We have no idea.
 

nighthob

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Agree that this is a big part of it, and while that played well enough with a winning roster filled with super coachable guys and veteran leadership, he now goes to the youngest team in the league, led by two guys barely old enough to drink, one of whom (Green) is a horrific, low-effort defender another who has a sizable track record of knuckleheadedness. Add to that the fact that Ime's veneer of authority has taken a big, public, hit, and things could go south pretty quickly.
I don’t disagree per se, but my Rockets dearly need someone to take charge of the locker room. Silas is a great developmental coach, alas they stuck him with KPJ, who is just pure Sidney Wicks in a locker room. But beyond the Green Porter, that no one in their right mind wants to drink (even on St Patrick’s Day), they actually do have some talented/hard working kids. So getting someone like Udoka to mold them has a lot of upside for Houston.

Practically speaking the Rockets are entering the era where OKC controls their draft (their last protected pick is the one coming up), so it’s time to get better. I’d feel better about this if Brooklyn were desperate enough to gamble on KPJ allowing them to add a 3&D specialist to the roster.
 

nighthob

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Ime and his staff also got whupped by Kerr and his staff on the finals. To my eye, every game of that series it seemed like the Warriors were rolling out new wrinkles, variations, defensive tweaks and the Celtics were left to react. And that Kerr won the large majority of in-game adjustments, too.

No real shame there - Kerr is a proven HoF’er with a fantastic, deep staff and Ime was a rookie head coach. But I’m watching JoeM to see how he rolls in the playoffs and if he can Match his more experienced counterparts. Ime couldn’t last year.
This is overblown. The Warriors big adjustment after getting demolished in game 1 was to look at Boston’s season, realize that Boston had been playing a playoff rotation since the first week of January, and then go back to a regular season rotation. Those extra fresh legs were too much for Boston. Add Brogdon to last year’s roster and I doubt that Kerr’s “genius” lasts five games.
 

Tony C

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Agree that this is a big part of it, and while that played well enough with a winning roster filled with super coachable guys and veteran leadership, he now goes to the youngest team in the league, led by two guys barely old enough to drink, one of whom (Green) is a horrific, low-effort defender another who has a sizable track record of knuckleheadedness. Add to that the fact that Ime's veneer of authority has taken a big, public, hit, and things could go south pretty quickly.
Not to defend Ime, who I think is an ass who deserves worse than he got, but I actually think tha profile is perfect for the Rockets. Ime's macho posturing is obvious...well, posturing. But a team of young idiots probably needs that more than a great x n o guy. If Ime's act goes over well for a few years he might have success turning a super talented team into a team that actually wins some games (of course the lottery will have something to say about that, too).
 

Auger34

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That quote is decidedly not “owning it”. The fact that Mannix writes the article from that POV is insane
 

Auger34

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Udoka's response validates the Celtics decision.
I am actually chuckling at how crazy the “they had a choice to make and that was the decision they went” quote is. It’s an incredible way to minimize what he did and push the onus back onto the Celtics while masquerading as “owning it”. Can you imagine using that quote for other things in life?

“I sped in front of the officer. He had a choice to make to give me a ticket and that was the decision he went with”
 

DJnVa

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I am actually chuckling at how crazy the “they had a choice to make and that was the decision they went” quote is. It’s an incredible way to minimize what he did and push the onus back onto the Celtics while masquerading as “owning it”. Can you imagine using that quote for other things in life?

“I sped in front of the officer. He had a choice to make to give me a ticket and that was the decision he went with”
I'm using this.
 

TripleOT

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I’m ok with Udoka’s response if I’m the Houston powers that be. The last thing you want at his introductory press conference, when you’re trying to project your new coach as a strong leader, is a wimpy apologist dwelling on a gigantic past failure of character . I’m guessing that the young men he will be leading don’t care if Ime was banging somebody’s wife. They care about having success in the league, and securing a big second contract.
 

MannyRam

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I’ve mentioned this. It’s nearly impossible in today’s world of leaks. But the club has done an astounding job of protecting the woman.
They really have. The Celtics not only did the right thing but also handled an extremely difficult set of circumstances (in this high visibility environment) as well as anyone could have. Despite that - they continue to catch flak/heat for it. Moreso from the talking heads (and who cares), but even the players have hinted that they felt it was unfair (without being privy to the actual details). Kudos to Brad Stevens and the front office. No good deed goes unpunished, I suppose.
 

Rovin Romine

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I am actually chuckling at how crazy the “they had a choice to make and that was the decision they went” quote is. It’s an incredible way to minimize what he did and push the onus back onto the Celtics while masquerading as “owning it”. Can you imagine using that quote for other things in life?

“I sped in front of the officer. He had a choice to make to give me a ticket and that was the decision he went with”
Later in the article:
In Udoka, the Rockets are getting a taskmaster. Udoka isn’t subtle. “My style, personally, is very upfront, honest and blunt to an extent,” said Udoka. He said he loved Houston’s youth and potential “but now we have to take the next steps.” In Boston, Udoka regularly—and very publicly—called players out on mistakes. On Wednesday, Udoka suggested he didn’t expect that to change.

“I think the players respect that honesty, straightforwardness,” Udoka said. “I’m a very relatable guy to the players and that’s [why] I try to build those relationships. They know I’m going to coach them hard and coach them the right way. And I think a lot of these guys respect that.”
Do as I say, not as I do.
 

Marciano490

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Assuming they even wanted to, how would Houston have done diligence on the incident? I’m not calling for any speculation as to what happened or to whom, but what kind of research or interviewing can be done against the backdrop of likely non-disclosures?

The Celtics undoubtedly made the right decision in prioritizing the protection of the victim(s), but Ime and his press friends have filled the void with a narrative that he didn’t do much and the Celtics overreacted, which the Houston signing seems to confirm.
 

NomarsFool

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Assuming they even wanted to, how would Houston have done diligence on the incident? I’m not calling for any speculation as to what happened or to whom, but what kind of research or interviewing can be done against the backdrop of likely non-disclosures?
Correct. I would think there is absolutely no way the Celtics would tell Houston anything that would make them not hire Udoka. To do so would open them up to a potential lawsuit.

So, Houston can tick the box that they did their due diligence by calling the Celtics and asking "Is there anything that you can tell me with regards to why I shouldn't hire Udoka?" To which the Celtics would have replied "No". And Houston can say they did their due diligence.
 

Jimbodandy

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The Celtics undoubtedly made the right decision in prioritizing the protection of the victim(s), but Ime and his press friends have filled the void with a narrative that he didn’t do much and the Celtics overreacted, which the Houston signing seems to confirm.
I think that this is the unfortunate side-effect of doing the right thing here. It sucks, but most of the other options are worse. I'd be worried about some kind of scorched earth campaign.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I’m ok with Udoka’s response if I’m the Houston powers that be. The last thing you want at his introductory press conference, when you’re trying to project your new coach as a strong leader, is a wimpy apologist dwelling on a gigantic past failure of character . I’m guessing that the young men he will be leading don’t care if Ime was banging somebody’s wife. They care about having success in the league, and securing a big second contract.
This is where I’m at and I know others disagree. This is Ime’s intro to Houston….not his statement while employed/suspended by the Celtics. It’s important to distinguish the different in PR-speak between the two.

It’s also reasonable for Ime to feel this way imo. Whatever the act was we all know that it wasn’t enough to prevent him from being a highly desirable FA this offseason who was certain to have a head job. If other teams will hire you for the same role it may be difficult to understand why your previous employer would not (disclaimer: I don’t agree with this but can see why the individual could). Same thing happened in Texas with Chris Beard quickly being hired by Ole Miss, Georgetown ignoring the real reasons why Cooley was forced to leave Providence, etc etc.
 

TripleOT

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This is where I’m at and I know others disagree. This is Ime’s intro to Houston….not his statement while employed/suspended by the Celtics. It’s important to distinguish the different in PR-speak between the two.

It’s also reasonable for Ime to feel this way imo. Whatever the act was we all know that it wasn’t enough to prevent him from being a highly desirable FA this offseason who was certain to have a head job. If other teams will hire you for the same role it may be difficult to understand why your previous employer would not (disclaimer: I don’t agree with this but can see why the individual could). Same thing happened in Texas with Chris Beard quickly being hired by Ole Miss, Georgetown ignoring the real reasons why Cooley was forced to leave Providence, etc etc.
What was the real reason Cooley was forced to leave PC?
 

Myt1

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Assuming they even wanted to, how would Houston have done diligence on the incident? I’m not calling for any speculation as to what happened or to whom, but what kind of research or interviewing can be done against the backdrop of likely non-disclosures?

The Celtics undoubtedly made the right decision in prioritizing the protection of the victim(s), but Ime and his press friends have filled the void with a narrative that he didn’t do much and the Celtics overreacted, which the Houston signing seems to confirm.
You can offer the victim the opportunity to speak with the Rockets. You can ask Ime who it was so that you can reach out to her directly. Not that she necessarily would have cooperated, but I think that’s what a diligent organization would do.
 

Smokey Joe

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You can offer the victim the opportunity to speak with the Rockets. You can ask Ime who it was so that you can reach out to her directly. Not that she necessarily would have cooperated, but I think that’s what a diligent organization would do.
Either of those may have happened. If they did, we will probably never know unless Ime does something egregious in Houston or Woj has a slow news day.
 

HomeRunBaker

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You can offer the victim the opportunity to speak with the Rockets. You can ask Ime who it was so that you can reach out to her directly. Not that she necessarily would have cooperated, but I think that’s what a diligent organization would do.
I'd be shocked if an organization is reaching out to a victim to get a reference. Like how does that conversation even go? "So I know the sexual harassment was awful and all....but was it really THAT bad?"

I'd guess the Rockets spoke to people within the Celtics organization and it was similar to what happened in other cases where it isn't enough to ruin a guys career but enough for him to move on and start fresh somewhere else.....since that's what's happening.
 

Auger34

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This is where I’m at and I know others disagree. This is Ime’s intro to Houston….not his statement while employed/suspended by the Celtics. It’s important to distinguish the different in PR-speak between the two.

It’s also reasonable for Ime to feel this way imo. Whatever the act was we all know that it wasn’t enough to prevent him from being a highly desirable FA this offseason who was certain to have a head job. If other teams will hire you for the same role it may be difficult to understand why your previous employer would not (disclaimer: I don’t agree with this but can see why the individual could). Same thing happened in Texas with Chris Beard quickly being hired by Ole Miss, Georgetown ignoring the real reasons why Cooley was forced to leave Providence, etc etc.
I thought Cooley left PC for the money and they wanted him to stay?