ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has scathing criticism of Boston Celtics handling of Ime Udoka situation

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had a scathing criticism for the way the Boston Celtics handled Ime Udoka’s suspension and ultimate dismissal from the team due to an inappropriate relationship with a female co-worker — particularly aiming his ire at the C’s lack of respect for Udoka’s fiance Nia Long.

“Can I ask all the ladies out there and all the men out there something? What about the sister, the black woman named Nia Long? That was thrown to the wolves? By having all of this publicized,” Smith said on April 28. “Did she deserve that? This beautiful, gorgeous, smart, intelligent, accomplished woman, a sensational actress, crossing all lines and barriers, even if they’re not together. That is the father of her child.”

Long and Udoka have split up but maintain contact given their shared parenthood of son Kez.

Ime Udoka agrees with how Boston Celtics handled suspension

Udoka was not fired up like Smith in any way, taking the opposite approach to the ESPN host when it came to the decision by the Boston Celtics to slowly leak information about the head coach’s suspension.

“Yeah, I mean, honestly my part in it was to take ownership and accountability for my part,” Udoka said during his introductory press conference as head coach of the Rockets. “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.”

It’s highly unlikely Udoka would’ve made any controversial comments given the highly polarizing nature of what got him ousted from the Celtics organization in the first place, but for his part, the 45-year-old is saying all the right things in the aftermath.