Fired Boston Celtics head coach ‘tarnished’ image and reputation

According to NESN’s Greg Dudek, former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka — who was suspended last September and ultimately let go this past February — “tarnished” his image and reputation while in charge of the Cs.

“Udoka’s image and reputation was tarnished as just a few months after leading the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance, he received a team-issued ban for violations of team policies,” Dudek wrote. “He reportedly had an improper relationship with a female staffer and his time with the Celtics officially came to an end when the organization shed Joe Mazzulla of the interim tag label and promoted him to head coach in mid-February.”

Udoka was nearly hired by the Nets back in November, but Brooklyn ultimately opted for Jacque Vaughn due to the backlash those rumors caused within the Nets organization.

Rockets a ‘solid landing spot’ for former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka

While many didn’t think Udoka would rebound so quickly, it appears as though the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics head man is in pole position to be hired by the Rockets after Houston and Stephen Silas parted ways following the 2022-23 regular season. Dudek called the Rockets a “solid landing spot” for Udoka to “rehab his image.”

“Despite the Rockets being tied for the second-worst record in the NBA this season at 22-60, it could be a solid landing spot for Udoka as he works to rehab his image,” Dudek wrote. “Houston has a young core, led by 2021 No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green, for the 45-year-old to work with and the Rockets are in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.”

Udoka was once predicted to be out of the league entirely, so seeing him on the verge of being hired by an up-and-coming team that could be a coach and a star away from being a contender again shows just how dramatically the narrative has shifted.