Reports: Ime Udoka’s potential hiring being pushed against by Brooklyn Nets’ women in leadership position over potential ‘too much drama’
The Brooklyn Nets are in search of a new coach after parting ways with Steve Nash. It has been reported that the name at the top of their list is the Boston Celtics’ suspended coach Ime Udoka. After leading the Celtics to the finals last season, Udoka is currently serving a suspension from the team.
Ime Udoka’s suspension is due to him having an “improper relationship” with a female employee on the Celtics staff. The Nets and Ime Udoka will have to answer questions about this if he is officially hired as the new coach. The Nets also have an internal issue with hiring because they also have women who work in their organization.
Per a story on NJ.com, the Nets are possibly backing off Udoka as a candidate. Even though Udoka is a good coach, he does bring some baggage with him.
“[Nets owner] Joe [Tsai] is getting some blow back.” and there’s “too much potential drama,” - League Source
There has been some concern from women in leadership positions within the Nets about hiring Ime Udoka, per @AdamZagoria
“[Nets owner] Joe [Tsai] is getting some blow back” and there’s “too much potential drama,”
(Via nj.com/nets/2022/11/t…) https://t.co/nock6OxgO1
Would hiring Ime Udoka add more controversy to the Nets?
If Ime Udoka were to get the Nets job, he would have a lot to deal with. This is a team that had its fair share of headlines before the season even started. Both stars, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, were trying to leave the organization this offseason.
One of Durant’s conditions for coming back was that Coach Nash and general manager Sean Marks be let go. Nash is now gone, but Marks still remains. Meanwhile, Irving is currently serving an indefinite suspension for his promotion of an antisemitic movie. On top of all that, Ben Simmons still is has not looked like a player who could help their roster.
Hiring Ime Udoka would signal that the team is trying to win now and contend in the Eastern Conference. The only problem is that they don’t appear to be good enough to do that. With Udoka also coming into an already volatile situation, his issues would not make matters better for the team.
Give Jacque Vaughn a chance
Jacque Vaughn is a veteran head coach who the team appears to trust. He was the Nets interim head coach at the end of the 2019-20 season. He coached them in the NBA Bubble. The organization overlooked making him the permanent head coach then. Hopefully, they won't make that mistake again.
Vaughn doesn’t bring Udoka’s baggage and would still be a great fit for the team if they decided to rebuild and not maintain this current roster. The team is currently 2-2 under Vaughn so far this season. If they let Vaughn, at least, coach the remainder of the season, they will know whether he is the man for the job or not.
If Vaughn does not workout this season, Ime Udoka, among other candidates, will be available for the team to choose from. They will also need to make a few long-term roster decisions. If Kyrie is gone, will they bring in someone to help Durant? Will they trade Durant and try to get a good package with draft picks? The Nets will have a lot of decision-making to do soon.