Ime Udoka discusses leaving the Boston Celtics.
Ime Udoka, the head coach of the Houston Rockets at the moment, discussed his two seasons with the Boston Celtics, which came to an end when he was fired due to his involvement in a controversy.
The head coach of the Houston Rockets, Ime Udoka, was back in the TD Garden to watch his club play the Boston Celtics.
After serving as an assistant coach for nine years on three different teams, the American-Nigerian former player had his first head coaching experience with the Boston Celtics in 2021–2023.
In an interview with ESPN, the coach discussed his feelings upon arriving back at the Celtics’ home court. He began by discussing his impressions on the 2022–23 season, which he felt was cut short.
He stated bluntly, “Job not finished,” summarizing the season. The people you affect and the connections you make. That would therefore be the most important consideration.
“Within a year, I made a lot of friends, and it goes without saying that I would like the opportunity to run it again with a group you feel you can develop and grow with. Thus, disappointing the people,” Udoka thought, a twinge of regret. Regarding the dispute that resulted in his suspension, he went on, “I talked about the players, the relationships I built with them, the coaches that came with me, and then everybody else that was impacted by it.”
Even though Udoka is saddened by the fact that his actions caused a rift to form between him and the players on that Celtics team, he also believes that it will soon pass.
“Letting some people down is, in my opinion, the biggest thing I would say overall. However, we’ve discussed it and moved on since I saw a lot of these folks throughout the summer and we had frequent conversations.”
When asked if he was eager to move on from the Rockets vs. Celtics game, he affirmed this belief.
Udoka stated, “It kind of didn’t matter to me at all.”
In the end, Udoka doesn’t seem to be committed to giving his return to TD Garden a deeper significance because he views his great season with the Boston Celtics as merely one year in his career.
“I had some success and had a nice year. However, I only noticed a handful of individuals that you are reminded of upon entering via the ramp. Thus, in that regard, it was a little bit different,” he remarked.
“We had a good year [here], not great year, [because we] didn’t get it done,” Udoka said, referring to the Celtics’ NBA Finals defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors. “But sure, I’d say just hanging out with some people I haven’t seen in a long time; once it’s over, it’s over.” Everything is new the first time. We are prepared to go on now that we have experienced it.
Next, the former TD Garden resident was questioned about the veracity of several Celtics players’ claim that they were unaware of the coach’s demise.
The interviewer continued, “I would say they lied to you guys,” Udoka added with a faint smile. “They were aware. A few of them were aware, and it goes without saying that I could speak with them and they would not divulge information in public. Thus, he said, “Who needed to know, knew.”
Ultimately, Udoka made a mocking remark about his team as he considered the game, which saw the Houston Rockets lose 145-113, a landslide defeat.
“I would have loved for people to guard them the way we guarded them tonight when I was here.”
Udoka’s time with the Celtics was successful, at least during his first season (2021–2022), as the team advanced to the NBA Finals before losing 4–2 to the Golden State Warriors.
Following a suspension for having an affair with a female employee of the Boston Celtics during his second season, the head coach was let go and assistant coach Joe Mazzulla took over.
With a 19-19 record so far this season, Udoka’s Houston Rockets are presently in 10th place in the Western Conference.
