‘Negative Feedback’ Caused The Nets to Pass on Ime Udoka
It seemed almost certain that the Nets would hire suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka to be the team’s next head coach.
Following the firing of Steve Nash, the Nets expressed great interest in Udoka. However, the Nets changed course at the last minute, lifting the interim tag off of coach Jacque Vaughn instead. Recent reports indicate that the Nets went with Vaughn over Udoka due to “negative feedback” surrounding the latter coach.
The Celtics suspended Udoka for the entirety of the 2022-23 season back in September for violating team policy regarding a relationship with a staff member.
Despite the turmoil surrounding Udoka, the Nets heavily considered him to be their next head coach. However, Marc Stein reports that Nets owner Joe Tsai was strongly encouraged to not hire Udoka. Not only that, but the Nets also factored in potential public scrutiny and an extended investigation as reasons to avoid hiring Udoka.
Although it seems like Udoka was passed on to be the coach due to the nature of his suspension, the reality is that the Nets probably passed on him simply to avoid more drama.
The Nets have been engulfed in drama for what seems like years now. Most recently, they have been under the limelight due to Kyrie Irving’s antisemitic remarks. Hiring a suspended coach for a deplorable act committed against another staff member would only add to the drama surrounding this team.
The Nets ultimately decided to go with Vaughn as their new head coach. This decision was undoubtedly influenced by the negative feedback they received both internally and externally. It was reported that both the heavy public scrutiny along with scrutiny from inside the organization influenced the decision the team made.
Going with Vaughn was the right decision from a moral standpoint — plus, it does not add fuel to the drama currently surrounding the Nets.
Hiring Ime Udoka would have made the Nets the most talked about team in basketball, for better or worse. From a basketball standpoint, Vaughn does not have the most impressive track record, however, the negative feedback the Nets received on Udoka proved too much, paving the way for Vaughn to step in instead.
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