Fired former head coach agrees with Boston Celtics in hindsight
Fired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has officially been revealed as the new head coach of the Rockets — and during his introductory press conference on April 26, the polarizing 45-year-old admitted that the Celtics organization was right to suspend and ultimately fire him for conduct violations relating to inappropriate relations with co-workers.
“Yeah, I mean, honestly my part in it was to take ownership and accountability for my part,” Udoka said. “They had a choice to make a decision, and they went that route. My thing was own up to it, take responsibility, and I served the suspension. I had to own it honestly. Same thing that I preach to the guys. I can’t sit here and not take accountability myself.”
Udoka had a physical relationship with a female Boston Celtics staffer who was hired by Danny Ainge while Joe Budden speculates he also had a relationship with the wife of a team owner.
Ime Udoka doesn’t reveal much about Boston Celtics firing
Udoka was tight-lipped when asked by reporters at his introductory press conference about the details surrounding his infamous suspension last September, one that happened right before training camp.
“I released a statement months ago when everything happened and apologized to a lot of people for the tough position I put them in,” Udoka prefaced before saying, “I stand by that, and I feel much more remorse even now towards that. I’ve spent this last offseason working on myself in a lot of different ways, improving in areas with a chance to sit back, reflect, and grow. I think that will make me a better coach and a better leader. But, the matter has been resolved and I can’t really speak much about it.”
For those hoping to find out more, you’re going to have to wait. How long exactly is just about anyone’s guess.
Rockets owner says hiring Ime Udoka was a ‘tough decision, but it wasn’t’
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta sounded pretty convinced that Udoka was the right choice to lead the Rockets — who have several young studs, a top 2023 draft pick, and the likely possibility of a James Harden return this summer — into the future as it looks to become a contender once again.
“It was a tough decision, but it wasn’t,” Fertitta said. “Because there was one person that we felt was an exceptional candidate to take us to the next level. We’re just so excited to have Ime. He is everything that the Rockets were looking for. We did so much due diligence on this gentleman, going back to his playing days — we just got a glowing report, and we’re extremely, extremely happy.”
With their man now in tow, Houston now looks to make the jump from Western Conference cellar-dweller to something resembling what the Rockets looked like prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.