Steve Nash fired, Jacque Vaughn to Brooklyn

[natpastime162]

“Bill Simmons last seen driving around Brooklyn asking random passerbys for Steve Nash’s phone number”

Can somebody explain the above meme? It has achieved (apparently) legendary status on Reddit’s NBA sub-forum but I don’t pay much attention to Bill anymore and am a lurker at best on the subreddit pages I frequent.


Never mind, it got answered since I last looked at the post

 

[HomeRunBaker]

"Not to Sue"?

Is that really something? Does Ime want this dragged out? Does he want (if not the truth) the "Other side of the story" to come out? Will that make him a "Better candidate" for some future team at some future point?
Is it the money? Its literally a pittance.

You all may end up right.....but it seems like what the celtics do "Get" is pretty low on the asset scale.

The Celtics have ZERO leverage to acquire an asset for Ime. He’s suspended and anyone paying attention recognizes that he was going to be relieved of his duties once a buyout/firing took place.

I’m sure Wyc was elated that someone would take him off their hands prior to having to make a decision that could have carried expensive and/or embarrassing legal ramifications. Holding Ime hostage without allowing him to move on in his career would be the last thing Wyc would want to do here. I don’t even understand how anyone can think receiving an asset was ever even on the table. Washing their hands is a huge win for the organization and makes any future decisions of how to best handle this delicate situation moot.

 

[reggiecleveland]

The Celtics have ZERO leverage to acquire an asset for Ime. He’s suspended and anyone paying attention recognizes that he was going to be relieved of his duties once a buyout/firing took place.

I will add if the Nets turn down a request for an asset then leak that info it would be a really bad look for the Cs. The idea they won't let him coach for their team, yet stubbornly won't let him coach elsewhere? Let him go.

 

[Swedgin]

“Bill Simmons last seen driving around Brooklyn asking random passerbys for Steve Nash’s phone number”

Can somebody explain the above meme? It has achieved (apparently) legendary status on Reddit’s NBA sub-forum but I don’t pay much attention to Bill anymore and am a lurker at best on the subreddit pages I frequent.


Never mind, it got answered since I last looked at the post

That was a great moment. Hard to think of many other reporters whom I have a lower opinion of. In addition to Broussard's general gullibility, I recall checking and confirming that the address was a matter of public record (NBA player's pay property taxes too).

 

[soxin6]

I will add if the Nets turn down a request for an asset then leak that info it would be a really bad look for the Cs. The idea they won't let him coach for their team, yet stubbornly won't let him coach elsewhere? Let him go.

Why should the Celtics reward Ime for being a selfish POS without getting anything in return?

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Why should the Celtics reward Ime for being a selfish POS without getting anything in return?

They aren't rewarding Ime or at least that's not what motivated them to let him go.

They took an opportunity to get out of a messy legal, (likely human resource) and economic situation. They decided that the downside of being stuck with that exposure was far worse than missing out on compensation. Maybe they don't know what they are doing but they have far more information than us.

 

[RG33]

It's not about whether they "should" be compensated. There's a lot of "shoulds" in this world that people choose not to pursue for a variety reasons.

Even if they got 20 1st round picks from the Nets, the players' hypothetical "problem" with why he left would still be there. Ultimately, you don't agree with the team's assessment of the relative value of the fastest and most frictionless departure vs. trying to get whatever they could get from another team for a guy they want shipped out of town who they probably were never going to let coach the team again.

I understand the definition of “should”. If you want to give an example of one of those real world reasons you implied, that might make for a better conversation. I explained my thought process in my post.

Moreover, I would put it on you to describe what “frictions” they would be avoiding by letting him walk away for nothing to a conference rival, potentially alienating both your locker room and every woman in your organization? There doesn’t seem to be much to me that they would be “avoiding” by letting him walk. He has admitted to the infractions. A law firm conducted independent review. Worst case, you pay him his last two years and let him walk at season end.

If anything, I think there is validity to the moral question of whether the NBA should even allow it — getting something back or not, based on the nature of the suspension.

 

[djbayko]

The Celtics have ZERO leverage to acquire an asset for Ime. He’s suspended and anyone paying attention recognizes that he was going to be relieved of his duties once a buyout/firing took place.

I’m sure Wyc was elated that someone would take him off their hands prior to having to make a decision that could have carried expensive and/or embarrassing legal ramifications. Holding Ime hostage without allowing him to move on in his career would be the last thing Wyc would want to do here. I don’t even understand how anyone can think receiving an asset was ever even on the table. Washing their hands is a huge win for the organization and makes any future decisions of how to best handle this delicate situation moot.

Of course they have leverage. A team wants him (so he has value), and they can't have him unless the Celtics agree. That's leverage. How the Celtics see Ime in their future is irrelevant because the Nets would prefer to have him now, while they are currently without a head coach, and not whenever he and the Celtics happen to part ways. How strong they perceive that leverage to be, and whether it's in their best interest to try to use that leverage are different questions entirely.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Why should the Celtics reward Ime for being a selfish POS without getting anything in return?

This isn’t about ‘rewarding’ Ime or punishing him or whatever other motive unrelated to running a very publicly visible business you might have. That kind of impulse is how dumb fucking lawsuits or PR shitshows happen.

 

[Dave Stapleton]

Not an informal chat, VERY formal. And VERY limited, that's why it will be (or should be) just owner to owner. I'd be stunned if there is any non-basketball due diligence on this topic, and I'd be doubly stunned if the Celts let Ime talk directly to the Nets about it (maybe if they have a representative present, but I'd doubt even that). Celtics have taken great pains to limit the circle of people who really "know" some of the things that happened (and I say "some" because it is likely that no one know everything). They are not going to expand that circle to make Brooklyn comfortable with its hire. They'll share info with Tsai (and his lawyers I'm sure) and tell him he has to make the decision based on what they've shown him, and what they show him will almost certainly be objective (emails and texts) vs. subjective (descriptions of events/encounters).

The Nets here are Elon Musk waiving the due diligence on Twitter and agreeing to proceed based on what the Celtics deem "necessary data" to conclude the deal. Celts are in the driver's seat here-Durant wants Ime, the papers are announcing it as a done deal. Don't forget that the Celts also have some potential liability here-one of the most well known public figures associated with the team was acting inappropriately towards female subordinates. Regardless of how well the Celtics addressed it there are still potential claims, and the Celtics aren't going to compound that potential liability by sharing a bunch of that info with the Nets and having people's names get out in the public.

This guy sounds like a lawyer … and a good one.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Why should the Celtics reward Ime for being a selfish POS without getting anything in return?

Because being spiteful is bad for ones business reputation and opens the door to additional liability?

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Of course they have leverage. A team wants him (so he has value), and they can't have him unless the Celtics agree. That's leverage. How the Celtics see Ime in their future is irrelevant because the Nets would prefer to have him now, while they are currently without a head coach, and not whenever he and the Celtics happen to part ways. How strong they perceive that leverage to be, and whether it's in their best interest to try to use that leverage are different questions entirely.

That isn’t leverage though as there are other legal factors in play. We all know (or should know) that Ime is never working for the Celtics again in any capacity…..which eliminates any so-called leverage that we have. This is far removed from one team wants a guy who is under contract by another organization…..Ime has no value to the Celtics, everyone knows this, and you cannot prevent him from seeking employment elsewhere without getting attorneys involved. Why would Wyc EVER play hardball with a guy that he’s trying to carefullly remove from the organization? The Nets just did him a favor.

 

[radsoxfan]

The Celtics have ZERO leverage to acquire an asset for Ime. He’s suspended and anyone paying attention recognizes that he was going to be relieved of his duties once a buyout/firing took place.

I’m sure Wyc was elated that someone would take him off their hands prior to having to make a decision that could have carried expensive and/or embarrassing legal ramifications. Holding Ime hostage without allowing him to move on in his career would be the last thing Wyc would want to do here. I don’t even understand how anyone can think receiving an asset was ever even on the table. Washing their hands is a huge win for the organization and makes any future decisions of how to best handle this delicate situation moot.

Agreed 100%, it's so bizarre to think the Celtics have any real leverage or desire to use what tiny leverage they might have. He may be technically under contract but this is not a typical coaching trade situation. He won't coach all year and he almost certainly won't ever be back.

I suppose they can throw it out there they'd like a draft pick and if the Nets hand it over, then fine. But no chance they will do any sort of posturing they won't let Ime out of his contract. They are more than happy to be done with this saga while limiting the drama as much as possible. There is simply no chance of a good asset here and no point to stand in the way over something minor.

People here remind me of fantasy football owners who are offered a great trade and are trying to get an extra throw in on top just because. Wyc wins if the Nets take Ime. Everyone is completely aware of this. Just take the win.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

It is interesting that there has been no news on this front since the initial reports that the Nets were looking at Ime. Perhaps, in doing their dilegence, the Nets are having second thoughts?

Anyway, if the Celtics are set on not wanting Ime in the organization, then getting rid of him cleanly is its own reward.

 

[joe dokes]

I understand the definition of “should”. If you want to give an example of one of those real world reasons you implied, that might make for a better conversation. I explained my thought process in my post.

Moreover, I would put it on you to describe what “frictions” they would be avoiding by letting him walk away for nothing to a conference rival, potentially alienating both your locker room and every woman in your organization? There doesn’t seem to be much to me that they would be “avoiding” by letting him walk. He has admitted to the infractions. A law firm conducted independent review. Worst case, you pay him his last two years and let him walk at season end.

If anything, I think there is validity to the moral question of whether the NBA should even allow it — getting something back or not, based on the nature of the suspension.

The friction is the negotiation of compensation and any delays or leaks occasioned by it as opposed to letting him slide out the door nice and greasy.

Aiienating the women? By taking the indisputably easiest path to not paying him anymore and getting him out of town? Are you serious? And honestly, if the players dont get it, then fuck 'em. They think he either should coach the celtics or be left to rot? The Nets are hiring the guy. THEY have to explain. The Celtics are getting him out of town. No explanation needed. I get that the players *liked* him. And that they thought he was a good coach. I'm glad they are human beings. Unlike another poster (not you), I have enough confidence in their intellectual capacity to entertain two opposing thoughts. But even if they dont know the details, they know god damn well that his departure was not undeserved. And whatever else theyre saying, they seem to acknowledge that.


What the NBA should do is a whole other question.

 

[Marciano490]

It is interesting that there has been no news on this front since the initial reports that the Nets were looking at Ime. Perhaps, in doing their dilegence, the Nets are having second thoughts?

Anyway, if the Celtics are set on not wanting Ime in the organization, then getting rid of him cleanly is its own reward.

I suppose that’s the other possibility. The Celtics might’ve played the Nets a bit - sure you want Ime, no problem. Call us tomorrow and we’ll give you the whole lowdown.

 

[radsoxfan]

I suppose that’s the other possibility. The Celtics might’ve played the Nets a bit - sure you want Ime, no problem. Call us tomorrow and we’ll give you the whole lowdown.

You would think/hope this was done before the leak to Shams and Woj that Ime was their guy.

But perhaps not…. Almost certainly would have had to happen before Nash firing in that case.

 

[Marciano490]

Well, the other thing where liability might actually be an issue is if the Celtics do say anything bad to the Nets about Ime, even if it’s meticulously true. I’d be surprised if they were willing to reveal anything at least while the Nets had an actual employed coach.

 

[Auger34]

You would think/hope this was done before the leak to Shams and Woj that Ime was their guy.

But perhaps not…. Almost certainly would have had to happen before Nash firing in that case.

I think Ime and his camp were the ones leaking the info to Shams and Woj. There’s been a pretty consistent pattern of the two of them (particularly Woj) reporting very favorably and with an Ime slant…there’s also a CAA connection

 

[bankshot1]

Alex Cora is laughing at some of the assumptions in this thread about redemption and falls from grace.

As for the Celtics supposed lack of leverage. They have all the leverage the other parties have none.

As I do not know any of the inside basketball of L'affaire Ime, I can only surmise if the Celtics are willing to give up their leverage it is only to spare some embarrassment to Celtic employees and or management.

 

[djbayko]

That isn’t leverage though as there are other legal factors in play. We all know (or should know) that Ime is never working for the Celtics again in any capacity…..which eliminates any so-called leverage that we have. This is far removed from one team wants a guy who is under contract by another organization…..Ime has no value to the Celtics, everyone knows this, and you cannot prevent him from seeking employment elsewhere without getting attorneys involved. Why would Wyc EVER play hardball with a guy that he’s trying to carefullly remove from the organization? The Nets just did him a favor.

To your last sentence, like I said, whether they should push for compensation is a different question entirely. But while you and I may suspect things, the only thin anyone knows is that he is currently employed by the Celtics and suspended for one year. Anyways, as I mentioned yesterday, the Celtics probably already gave the Nets assurances, so this discussion is academic.

 

[joe dokes]

Alex Cora is laughing at some of the assumptions in this thread about redemption and falls from grace.

As for the Celtics supposed lack of leverage. They have all the leverage the other parties have none.

As I do not know any of the inside basketball of L'affaire Ime, I can only surmise if the Celtics are willing to give up their leverage it is only to spare some embarrassment to Celtic employees and or management.

"Only"?
Yeah, maybe they're willing to give up the possibility of a crappy player or draft pick in exchange for showing some concern for their current employees. That seems like good business.
It's not really "leverage" if the potential outcome of using it is to get the worst possible outcome (In their minds, of course).

 

[Was (Not Wasdin)]

This guy sounds like a lawyer … and a good one.

Game recognize game, yo.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

It is interesting that there has been no news on this front since the initial reports that the Nets were looking at Ime. Perhaps, in doing their dilegence, the Nets are having second thoughts?

Anyway, if the Celtics are set on not wanting Ime in the organization, then getting rid of him cleanly is its own reward.

What’s so interesting about this? Woj said yesterday that a deal could be finalized as soon as 24-48 hours…….we are only at 24 hours.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

What’s so interesting about this? Woj said yesterday that a deal could be finalized as soon as 24-48 hours…….we are only at 24 hours.

Plus they needed to help orchestrate a non-apology to all Jews by Kyrie.

One thing a day.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Plus they needed to help orchestrate a non-apology to all Jews by Kyrie.

One thing a day.

There are no slow days in the Nets PR department.

 

[leetinsley38]

I suppose that’s the other possibility. The Celtics might’ve played the Nets a bit - sure you want Ime, no problem. Call us tomorrow and we’ll give you the whole lowdown.

Could also be some bad blood at the ownership level from the Jaylen Brown/KD leaks this summer.

 

[JimmyEddie]

With respect to timing, it's possible that the Celtics' agreement with Udoka could slow the Nets' due diligence on him.

Especially given the level of secrecy that continues to prevail around the circumstances of Udoka's suspension, it seems likely that there is a significant non-disclosure element of the Celtics agreement with Udoka.

One could imagine a situation in which Udoka, the Celtics, or both, are contractually barred from disclosing to any third party even basic information around Udoka's suspension. That could frustrate the Nets' (or any other team's) attempt to do due diligence on him. Workarounds (even assuming all parties are sufficiently incentivized) could take more than 24 hours.

 

[NDame616]

With respect to timing, it's possible that the Celtics' agreement with Udoka could slow the Nets' due diligence on him.

Especially given the level of secrecy that continues to prevail around the circumstances of Udoka's suspension, it seems likely that there is a significant non-disclosure element of the Celtics agreement with Udoka.

One could imagine a situation in which Udoka, the Celtics, or both, are contractually barred from disclosing to any third party even basic information around Udoka's suspension. That could frustrate the Nets' (or any other team's) attempt to do due diligence on him. Workarounds (even assuming all parties are sufficiently incentivized) could take more than 24 hours.

With the timing of all of this I have to imagine the Celtics made it clear to teams awhile ago Ime was fair game and allowed them to do due diligence. Ime, who I'd suspect would want another job in the NBA, would be open to teams doing their own research. I'm assuming the Nets had suspicions Nash wouldn't last and started looking into Ime weeks ago "just in case".

The NBA is a vacuum. 30 teams. Those that need to know what happened, do. This isn't a guy getting fired from Facebook and then moving to a local landscaping company across the world.

 

[InstaFace]

With respect to timing, it's possible that the Celtics' agreement with Udoka could slow the Nets' due diligence on him.

Especially given the level of secrecy that continues to prevail around the circumstances of Udoka's suspension, it seems likely that there is a significant non-disclosure element of the Celtics agreement with Udoka.

One could imagine a situation in which Udoka, the Celtics, or both, are contractually barred from disclosing to any third party even basic information around Udoka's suspension. That could frustrate the Nets' (or any other team's) attempt to do due diligence on him. Workarounds (even assuming all parties are sufficiently incentivized) could take more than 24 hours.

I think Was Not Wasdin made the scenario here clear above, but to lay it out:

- They've all signed NDAs, and the Celtics have to be careful not to disparage because that will be grist for a lawsuit that Udoka might actually win
- In this isolated instance, Ime and the Celtics both have an interest in the Celtics disclosing some information to the Nets in order to induce them to offer him a job
- Those are not the only stakeholders; the victims of Udoka's harassment are also a party here, and likely retained some rights to file complaints, assuming they were well-advised.
- So the steps for the Celtics are probably something like what WNW said: (1) identify what they want to share, strictly factual, not narrative. (2) get written OKs from both Ime and the victims that this can be shared. (3) show that and only that to Joe Tsai and his lawyer, in a conversation that's probably taped just so nobody can say something happened that didn't
- Then if details come out that weren't part of what was shared, it's obvious that Udoka shared them himself

perhaps that takes a little while to pull together, but if that (or a variation) is what's going on it doesn't take forever either. And that's about all the "due diligence" one could do on him, other than talking to players who were coached by him to get perspectives on his coaching skills. Nobody else but Celtics top brass has any information on what truly caused Udoka's suspension (plus the victims for their part of it), and it appears it's going to stay that way. I think Adam Silver has said that he was alerted to the situation but that the Cs were handling it internally, and he saw no reason to get involved, so I bet the league office has no idea either.

 

[The Mort Report]

You have to wonder if its not the Nets getting cold feet, but Ime might not want to step into that spiraling shitshow, especially with his optics of getting out of the year suspension on top of that

 

[Van Everyman]

Has there been any buzz as to whether the league would step in to impose a suspension of its own? My understanding was that they didn't before because the Celtics had addressed it. But the idea that Ime will get a golden parachute (ok, maybe shower due to Kyrie et al) after 7 games not only seems light -- it seems to be asking for the league to take action if there is cause ... in which case I'd expect the Nets to consider looking elsewhere.

 

[EvilEmpire]

You have to wonder if its not the Nets getting cold feet, but Ime might not want to step into that spiraling shitshow, especially with his optics of getting out of the year suspension on top of that

I think Ime probably wants to coach as soon as possible. First, he'd like to get paid. Second, coming back quickly might convince some people that whatever he did wasn't that bad and make it easier for them to believe the early story that his camp was putting out there that everything was totally consensual.

Has there been any buzz as to whether the league would step in to impose a suspension of its own?

I would be a little surprised if they did. Not a lot, but a little. The league let this get handled at the team level. And the Celtics did. In addition to levying a suspension, they also set the conditions for Ime to quickly move on to another team. I doubt this was a surprise to the league office, so I'm guessing they were probably OK with it from the start.

But who knows. Maybe the NBA is taking a page out of the NFL playbook and making shit up as they go along. But I doubt it.

Edit: Everything probably changes if one of the women involved files a lawsuit.

 

[The Mort Report]

I think Ime probably wants to coach as soon as possible. First, he'd like to get paid. Second, coming back quickly might convince some people that whatever he did wasn't that bad and make it easier for them to believe the early story that his camp was putting out there that everything was totally consensual.

Fair, I actually for some reason thought he was still getting paid. However, just because he may want to get back to work as quickly as possible, doesn't mean he wants to put himself in that position. I'm in this boat, bartender losing my mind stuck at home, but I turned down a job last week because there were aspects I wanted nothing to do with, and I'm sure Ime has more in the bank than me. I also feel like there has to be more to it since he didn't fight it at all and accepted the suspension immediately, and whatever happened will almost assuredly leak if he goes to the Nets

 

[DGreenwood]

Ime is getting half of his salary while on suspension.

edit: per Stephen A. Smith
View: https://youtu.be/o7ecz0gqvmY?t=516

 

[EvilEmpire]

I also feel like there has to be more to it since he didn't fight it at all and accepted the suspension immediately, and whatever happened will almost assuredly leak if he goes to the Nets

I think there is more to it too, but maybe the circumstances are ambiguous enough that it is hard to pin down all the details.

With that in mind, I also think it is likely that Ime and his legal team didn't fight the suspension because Boston told them that they wouldn't stand in the way of him signing with another team, to include not demanding compensation, as long as he played ball.

In other words, it may have been a year-long suspension on paper, but Ime knew he would be working again soon as long as too many details don't come out. And I'm not sure details will come out. Ime wants to salvage his reputation, the Celtics want to protect the women involved, and I suspect the women involved want to move on and stay out of the spotlight.

 

[bankshot1]

Shouldn't the Net season ticket holders and the Net corporate sponsors, you know parties with a vested interest of time, money, emotion and their company's reputation tied to the Nets, be entitled to full disclosure of Ime's indiscretions and why the Celtics thought it necessary to suspend him for a season, while the Nets are willing to forgive and forget (as long as they can get him for no compensation?). Shouldn't they be entitled to have some idea of who they are getting in bed with?

And I'm being about 75% facetious.

 

[mcpickl]

Has there been any buzz as to whether the league would step in to impose a suspension of its own? My understanding was that they didn't before because the Celtics had addressed it. But the idea that Ime will get a golden parachute (ok, maybe shower due to Kyrie et al) after 7 games not only seems light -- it seems to be asking for the league to take action if there is cause ... in which case I'd expect the Nets to consider looking elsewhere.

I'd be shocked if the league didn't impose a suspension.

They can't let the Celtics decision to suspend him for a full season get whittled down to, like 10 games or however many games the Nets have played when he's hired.

The league would look ridiculous.

 

[EvilEmpire]

I'd be shocked if the league didn't impose a suspension.

They can't let the Celtics decision to suspend him for a full season get whittled down to, like 10 games or however many games the Nets have played when he's hired.

The league would look ridiculous.

So when is the league going to start their investigation? If they want to impose their own penalty, I don't think they will just take Boston's investigation at face value.

 

[Five Cent Head]

So when is the league going to start their investigation? If they want to impose their own penalty, I don't think they will just take Boston's investigation at face value.

It's possible that they've started an investigation already, isn't it? I assume that the Celtics have been consulting with the NBA throughout the whole process.

 

[Smokey Joe]

It's possible that they've started an investigation already, isn't it? I assume that the Celtics have been consulting with the NBA throughout the whole process.

I think it runs something like this.
Nets ask Celtics if they can talk to Ime. Celts say sure. Nets let their mouthpiece (Woj) float the “Nets are gonna hire Ime to coach.” Idea. The League goes “Wha?” The League sends a little memo to the Nets stating “If you hire Udoka we will do our own investigation into this situation and there is a strong likelihood that your new coach will be suspended until the beginning of the 2023-2024 season”
And now the Nets are staring at that and trying to figure out what to do.

 

[mcpickl]

So when is the league going to start their investigation? If they want to impose their own penalty, I don't think they will just take Boston's investigation at face value.

Probably one second after they were notified Brooklyn wanted to hire Udoka.

 

[bankshot1]

I think it runs something like this.
Nets ask Celtics if they can talk to Ime. Celts say sure. Nets let their mouthpiece (Woj) float the “Nets are gonna hire Ime to coach.” Idea. The League goes “Wha?” The League sends a little memo to the Nets stating “If you hire Udoka we will do our own investigation into this situation and there is a strong likelihood that your new coach will be suspended until the beginning of the 2023-2024 season”
And now the Nets are staring at that and trying to figure out what to do.

Give Ron Roeneke a call He may be free for a 60+ game season

 

[Smokey Joe]

So when is the league going to start their investigation? If they want to impose their own penalty, I don't think they will just take Boston's investigation at face value.

Actually I think their investigation would last as long as the Nets “due diligence”.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I think Ime probably wants to coach as soon as possible. First, he'd like to get paid. Second, coming back quickly might convince some people that whatever he did wasn't that bad and make it easier for them to believe the early story that his camp was putting out there that everything was totally consensual.

Yes. I would think both Ime and the Celtics would like to get cleanly out of his contract ASAP.

 

[Auger34]

I would be a little surprised if they did. Not a lot, but a little. The league let this get handled at the team level. And the Celtics did. In addition to levying a suspension, they also set the conditions for Ime to quickly move on to another team. I doubt this was a surprise to the league office, so I'm guessing they were probably OK with it from the start.

But who knows. Maybe the NBA is taking a page out of the NFL playbook and making shit up as they go along. But I doubt it.

Edit: Everything probably changes if one of the women involved files a lawsuit.

I think it would be shocking if he didn’t get some sort of suspension from the league. Mostly because he’s going to the Brooklyn Nets who seem incapable of doing anything other than completely embarrassing the league as a whole

 

[NomarsFool]

If the league doesn’t suspend Udoka, the implication/insinuation is that it was a Celtics specific offense and not a general offense that would be wrong no matter who he worked for. In my view, that would be a very bad look for the league.

 

[EvilEmpire]

If Silver comes in over the top to suspend Udoka, I really don't think it will be because he wants to punish the Nets. That sounds like fan wishcasting to me.

Brooklyn is a mess right now, but I think mostly because of Kyrie over the last couple of years with the covid stuff and the recent antisemitism. I don't think it is Brooklyn's fault that Kyrie is acting like Kyrie, even if they've made mistakes in how they've dealt with him.

If the league doesn’t suspend Udoka, the implication/insinuation is that it was a Celtics specific offense and not a general offense that would be wrong no matter who he worked for. In my view, that would be a very bad look for the league.

What is the general offense that Udoka committed that violated league rules? I think if there was clear harrassment or sexual assault that Udoka would have been fired. But he was suspended, so whatever happened, from the outside at least, was more ambiguous than that, though those things could have happened.

I'm not sure the league wants to touch it at all. If they did, I don't think they would have let Boston handle it to begin with. I think they want it to go away too.

Again, if one of the women comes forward with a lawsuit or criminal complaint or something with more details maybe everything changes.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

If Silver comes in over the top to suspend Udoka, I really don't think it will be because he wants to punish the Nets. That sounds like fan wishcasting to me.

Brooklyn is a mess right now, but I think mostly because of Kyrie over the last couple of years with the covid stuff and the recent antisemitism. I don't think it is Brooklyn's fault that Kyrie is acting like Kyrie, even if they've made mistakes in how they've dealt with him.



What is the general offense that Udoka committed that violated league rules? I think if there was clear harrassment or sexual assault that Udoka would have been fired. But he was suspended, so whatever happened, from the outside at least, was more ambiguous than that, though those things could have happened.

I'm not sure the league wants to touch it at all. If they did, I don't think they would have let Boston handle it to begin with. I think they want it to go away too.

Again, if one of the women comes forward with a lawsuit or criminal complaint or something with more details maybe everything changes.

This feels right.

I am struggling to figure out how the league could suspend Udoka for violating Celtics team policies, especially if the details around his Cs suspension are as tightly guarded as it appears. As EE notes, absent some sort of complaint, what is the basis for the league punishing Ime for being a terrible Celtics employee?

 

[bankshot1]

IANAL, but I would be shocked, that given the litigious nature of our society, if prior to the Celtics suspending Ime, they did not hold extensive discussions with the NBA and the NBA's legal counsel, about the indiscretion and Ime through his counsel may have responded (all speculation on my part, I don't pretend to know the back story)and the NBA checked off on the Celtic's actions.

To think the NBA (or Adam Silver) is operating in a vacuum in this regard seems unlikely and foolhardy.

If I was running the shop I would want to know WTF is going on and do I have legal exposure.

YMMV