Ime Udoka Facing Significant Suspension For Improper Relationship
So we’re really going to keep sitting here and pretending the Celtics had a great offseason huh? K. More like can things possibly get worse? Not too long ago, Danilo Gallinari tore his ACL and was ruled out for the season. Now head coach Ime Udoka fumbled the bag with Nia Long and now is going to pay the price for it.
Ime Udoka is facing what could turn into a season long ban. Apparently, cheating on your girl is a violation of Celtics team rules? Well, not quite. Udoka was in a consequential relationship with a team employee.
I’ll let Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tell the story:
“Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing disciplinary action expected to include a significant suspension for his role in a consensual, intimate relationship with a woman who is a member of the franchise’s staff, sources told ESPN on Wednesday night.”
“The relationship was considered a violation of the organization’s guidelines, and a decision on the length of that suspension is expected to come as soon as Thursday, sources said. While no final decision has been made, internal discussions have included scenarios that would keep Udoka out for the entirety of the 2022-23 season, sources said.”
“It isn’t believed that Udoka’s job is in jeopardy, sources said.”
“Udoka’s top assistant coach, Will Hardy, left to become coach of the Utah Jazz, and another Jazz finalist, Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla, would likely be in serious consideration for an interim role, sources told ESPN.”
I hope that booty was worth it. Fumbling the bag with Nia Long is tough scenes. Imagine finding out you got cheated out by a breaking story on a random Wednesday by one of the NBA reporters? Now that’s TOUGH.
The Celtics made an NBA Finals run with Udoka last season. They could be in serious trouble and the Will Hardy departure isn’t being talked about enough. Hardy was the real X’s and O’s guy. Udoka was the master motivator. Now Boston has zero.
We all will await Udoka’s fate sooner rather than later. However, this report all but closes the door on having him for next season. At least, it would appear that way.
Great offseason, huh?
UPDATE:
It’s official. Udoka is being suspended for the season.
