The Boston Celtics addressed the media for the first time since announcing head coach Ime Udoka on Friday morning. Suspended for 2022-23 seasonIn summary of what is known at this time, Udoka allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with another Celtics employee. Admitted I apologized for his transgression. Both parties initially led the team to believe the relationship was consensual, but the woman later accused Udoka of making unwanted comments, prompting a series of internal interviews. Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Celtics’ assistant Joe Mazura named Appointed interim coach to replace Udoka It’s in season, but it’s unclear if Udoka will return after that. their statement “A decision regarding his future with the Celtics after this season will be made at a later date,” the Celtics said Thursday.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Friday’s press conference:
Stevens wasn’t thinking about returning to coach the Celtics
When news of Udoka’s suspension first broke, many thought Stevens, the team’s former coach and current president of basketball operations, would himself return to his original seat. It makes sense. The Celtics are favorites. Asking a new head coach to take over in such an unfortunate situation puts him in a difficult position. Stevens has proven that he can win with this roster.
But as he explained, he wasn’t thinking about returning to the bench. I decided to go. “Joe is the best choice to do it in the long shot,” Stevens said.
Udoka’s future is still undecided
Udoka’s suspension will last for one season for the time being. Currently, that means it will expire on June 30, 2023. However, the Celtics have clarified that they have not made any long-term decisions about Udoka’s future at this time. As their statement indicated, his fate will be decided at a later date. It turned out that he had committed a large number of violations.
No decision has been made on the addition of coaching staff
The Celtics didn’t just lose Udoka. Early in the offseason, Top, his assistant Will Hardy, left Boston and Utah became his head coach for the Jazz. As such, the staff has almost certainly lost one of his two top coaches in his preseason. Speculation is rife that Boston may consider hiring another coach, ideally with head coaching experience, to fill Udoka’s absence on staff. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated Former Lakers coach Frank Vogel speculated that it would make sense given his longstanding relationship with Stevens.
At a press conference, Stevens said no decisions had been made about adding staff, but he wouldn’t rule it out. I’m checking,” he said.
Mazura was under scrutiny when the Celtics first hired him
Mazura is not currently under investigation for any violations, but was arrested for domestic assault after he grabbed a woman by the neck in a bar in Morgantown, West Virginia, in 2009. caused outcry among fans and the media, given the nature of the alleged violations.
Stevens revealed that the Celtics vetted Mazura when he was first hired as an assistant three years ago. He said, “I strongly believe it probably shaped him into who he is today in a really, really good way.
