Nets Didn’t Hire Celtics Suspended Coach Ime Udoka, Kyrie Irving Controversy Being One Of The Factor
Following the departure of Steve Nash, the Brooklyn Nets have named assistant Jacque Vaughn as their new head coach, the franchise revealed on Wednesday, whereas the rumors were saying that Ime Udoka might be the new coach. What you need to know is as follows:
After Nash left on November 1st, Vaughn was appointed temporary coach. The 47-year-old has been a member of Brooklyn’s coaching staff since 2016, and after Kenny Atkinson was fired by the Nets in 2020, he served as interim head coach. Ime Udoka, the suspended Boston Celtics coach, was reportedly going to be hired by the Nets, according to earlier reports.
Nets Didn’t Hire Celtics Suspended Coach Ime Udoka, Kyrie Irving Controversy Being The Influencing Factor
League sources say there have been some "strong voices" urging Joe Tsai to back off the Nets' intent to hire suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka as Steve Nash's successor given the considerable turmoil Brooklyn has already faced this season.
More to come: https://t.co/LGN9cVpMwn
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 7, 2022
After Steve Nash left the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month, it appeared for a while that banned Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka would be named the team’s new head coach. According to reports, Ime Udoka had become a “strong contender” for the position and was both general manager Sean Marks and star forward Kevin Durant’s first option.
The Nets ultimately changed their minds, though, and on Wednesday, they formally elevated interim head coach Jacque Vaughn to a full-time position. According to Marc Stein, some advised Nets owner Joe Tsai not to hire Udoka.
The Brooklyn Nets are no longer hiring Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/poEUU3eAHT
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 9, 2022
Several factors were involved, which included the Kyrie Irving controversy. Marc Stein claims that there are “strong voices” asking Joe Tsai not to select Ime Udoka as Steve Nash’s replacement at the NBA headquarters, where the Kyrie Irving crisis is still boiling. It seems unnecessary for the NBA to have another Nets controversy.
BREAKING: the #Nets have pulled back and will NO LONGER hire former #Celtics HC Ime Udoka. They will stick with and hire Jacque Vaughn.
Speculation is the move has to do with public opinion following the recent Kyrie Irving transgressions. pic.twitter.com/3c3vNldbdI
— uSTADIUM NBA (@uSTADIUMNBA) November 9, 2022
The Celtics have Udoka on a season-long suspension for breaking team rules following an inappropriate connection with a team employee. Although Vaughn deserves the chance, Brooklyn’s choice not to hire Udoka appears to have been made more for reasons of avoiding further controversy than for basketball. Brooklyn has been mired in scandal for what feels like years, and, at least from the perspective of the media, adding a coach who is presently suspended from his own team will just heighten the drama. It would not represent any franchise well, much less the Nets.
New Report Explains Why Nets Hired Jacque Vaughn Instead of Ime Udoka as Head Coach https://t.co/IsUtOMG4Rl
— 9jalinks (@9jalinksmedia) November 10, 2022
The Nets will try to improve their season after a 4-7 start now that they have their coach in place. They still have plenty of time to do so, which is wonderful news for them. Perhaps Vaughn can point them in the right way. Meanwhile, Udoka will have to wait a lot longer before getting another chance to coach.
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