“Part of the reason why Ime Udoka was suspended but not fired is because Boston Celtics didn’t want him to end up in Brooklyn”- NBA insider believes Udoka would have replaced Steve Nash
According to popular NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith, part of the reason why Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka was suspended and not fired immediately is that the franchise didn't want him to go and coach the Brooklyn Nets this season.
Udoka was recently suspended after an investigation found that he used crude language in conversation with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper relationship. The fact that a superior was involved in an improper relationship with a staff member was cited as a policy violation by the franchise.
Udoka was then suspended, with assistant Joe Mazzulla set to take charge on an interim basis. It has also been rumored that Udoka might never return to a head coaching role in the NBA.
However, famous ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith had a different take on the subject.
"I believe that part of the reason [Ime Udoka] was suspended, but not fired is because the Boston Celtics did not want him to end up in Brooklyn ... The Nets would have fired Steve Nash and brought [Udoka] back & he would be the coach."
Part of what Stephen A. is claiming might be true, but it is difficult to believe that any franchise in the league would have wanted to be associated with Udoka. Steve Nash has had his fair share of detractors but the Nets likely wouldn't have caused more turmoil by chasing Udoka.
"I believe that part of the reason [Ime Udoka] was suspended, but not fired is because the Boston Celtics did not want him to end up in Brooklyn... The Nets would have fired Steve Nash and brought [Udoka] back & he would be the coach."
🗣️ @stephenasmith
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Tensions in Brooklyn
Ever since the 2021-22 season began, the Brooklyn Nets have had to withstand a lot of turmoil. It all began with superstar Kyrie Irving's refusal to get vaccinated, which led to his exile from the team.
James Harden then demanded a trade and was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in return for Ben Simmons and Seth Curry amongst other players and draft capital.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant tried his best to carry the team during the regular season but the former league MVP got injured in the process. Then the playoffs began and all of their problems were exposed in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics dismantled the Nets, sweeping them in the process.
Durant then requested a trade, leading to even more chaos in the Nets organization. The two-time champion even declared that he didn't want Sean Marks and Steve Nash to be involved in the leadership group.
All-Star Kyrie Irving was not given a contract extension by the Nets front office, leading to even more tension during the offseason.
As things stand, Irving and Durant are still with the Brooklyn Nets, and with the return of Simmons from injury, they will hope to make an impact this season. The Nets will hope to move past the turmoil and achieve their ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.