Ime Names Names...

[Roy H.]

You don't see this very much, but I love it:

While the Celtics judged correctly on Udoka, there were apparently several other teams that didn’t. In an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Udoka shared that he was close to getting other head coaching jobs prior to Boston hiring him in 2021 as he spent nine seasons as an assistant coach. “The one thing I would say is the disappointment of coming in second a few years really hurt,” Udoka told Haynes of the process he went through to become a head coach. “But if you told me I’d have to wait for Boston and get [bypassed] by some of the ones that I got beat out on, it’s a no-brainer for me. I’m happy to be in Boston.”

Udoka also shared which teams had him No. 2 on their lists before saying how “proud” he was to be a part of the Celtics. “You really want me to tell you? Detroit, Indiana, Cleveland,” Udoka said. “I can go down the list. That was tough because I believe I was ready. But I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of an organization that’s pushing for winning and championships. You can be in a lot of different situations. There are only 30 teams and I get that, but to not be in a rebuild and being in an expectation pressure-filled situation, I wouldn’t trade that in any day.”

In other words, screw you and your rebuilding franchises.

[Drucci]

I love Ime's attitude and approach to the game. And I love this stat regarding the latest rookie head coaches reaching the Finals : https://twitter.com/r_timberwolves/status/1139554290429845505

"Last 3 rookie head coaches who have reached the NBA Finals:

Steve Kerr, 2015, won the title
Tyronn Lue, 2016, won the title
Nick Nurse, 2019, won the title"

Let's hope the trend continues !

[bdm860]

Reminds me of things that have happened in my own life.  Didn't get the job I wanted, but ended up with a better one. Didn't get the girl I wanted, ended up with a better one, etc.

Interesting looking at the Pistons, Pacers, and Cavs.

Pistons hired Dwyane Casey in 2018 (after a 39 win season) , had one year of .500 ball on Blake Griffin's last legs, and have been rebuilding ever since.  Casey had just won COY and was going into mostly a veteran team (Blake, Drummond, Reggie Jackson, etc.).

Pacers hired Nate Bjorkgren in 2020 (after a 45 win season), fired him after 1 year after they missed the playoffs, then hired Carisle 4 days before the C's hired Udoka.

Cavs hired John Beilein in 2019 (after a 19 win season), who didn't even make it one year before he quit/was fired.  Then went with JB Bickerstaff.


From an outsiders perspective, Pistons/Pacers/Celtics probably felt like similar situations.  Going into a .500ish team without a ton of assets, but a couple of All-Star caliber players and some vets.

It has to feel good for Udoka turning this team around while seeing the Pacers and Pistons get worse.  Also to see 2 of the coaches hired over you not even make it a year.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I love Ime's attitude and approach to the game. And I love this stat regarding the latest rookie head coaches reaching the Finals : https://twitter.com/r_timberwolves/status/1139554290429845505

"Last 3 rookie head coaches who have reached the NBA Finals:

Steve Kerr, 2015, won the title
Tyronn Lue, 2016, won the title
Nick Nurse, 2019, won the title"

Let's hope the trend continues !

[Moranis]

You don't see this very much, but I love it:

While the Celtics judged correctly on Udoka, there were apparently several other teams that didn’t. In an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Udoka shared that he was close to getting other head coaching jobs prior to Boston hiring him in 2021 as he spent nine seasons as an assistant coach. “The one thing I would say is the disappointment of coming in second a few years really hurt,” Udoka told Haynes of the process he went through to become a head coach. “But if you told me I’d have to wait for Boston and get [bypassed] by some of the ones that I got beat out on, it’s a no-brainer for me. I’m happy to be in Boston.”

Udoka also shared which teams had him No. 2 on their lists before saying how “proud” he was to be a part of the Celtics. “You really want me to tell you? Detroit, Indiana, Cleveland,” Udoka said. “I can go down the list. That was tough because I believe I was ready. But I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of an organization that’s pushing for winning and championships. You can be in a lot of different situations. There are only 30 teams and I get that, but to not be in a rebuild and being in an expectation pressure-filled situation, I wouldn’t trade that in any day.”

In other words, screw you and your rebuilding franchises.

I don't think Cleveland got it wrong.  JB Bickerstaff is the perfect coach for that team and was potentially the COY until injuries derailed the Cavs season. 

Without knowing when he was bypassed by Indiana it is hard to say with them.  He clearly would have been better than Nate Bjorkgren, not sure if choosing him over Ricky C would have been the correct call. 

Dwayne Casey also seemed like a pretty easy call for Detroit in the summer of 2018 (which is the only time they had an opening).  I'm not sure Udoka was really ready that long ago.  Maybe he was, but Casey is a solid coach

[Roy H.]

You don't see this very much, but I love it:

While the Celtics judged correctly on Udoka, there were apparently several other teams that didn’t. In an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Udoka shared that he was close to getting other head coaching jobs prior to Boston hiring him in 2021 as he spent nine seasons as an assistant coach. “The one thing I would say is the disappointment of coming in second a few years really hurt,” Udoka told Haynes of the process he went through to become a head coach. “But if you told me I’d have to wait for Boston and get [bypassed] by some of the ones that I got beat out on, it’s a no-brainer for me. I’m happy to be in Boston.”

Udoka also shared which teams had him No. 2 on their lists before saying how “proud” he was to be a part of the Celtics. “You really want me to tell you? Detroit, Indiana, Cleveland,” Udoka said. “I can go down the list. That was tough because I believe I was ready. But I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of an organization that’s pushing for winning and championships. You can be in a lot of different situations. There are only 30 teams and I get that, but to not be in a rebuild and being in an expectation pressure-filled situation, I wouldn’t trade that in any day.”

In other words, screw you and your rebuilding franchises.

I don't think Cleveland got it wrong.  JB Bickerstaff is the perfect coach for that team and was potentially the COY until injuries derailed the Cavs season. 

Without knowing when he was bypassed by Indiana it is hard to say with them.  He clearly would have been better than Nate Bjorkgren, not sure if choosing him over Ricky C would have been the correct call. 

Dwayne Casey also seemed like a pretty easy call for Detroit in the summer of 2018 (which is the only time they had an opening).  I'm not sure Udoka was really ready that long ago.  Maybe he was, but Casey is a solid coach

Hard to say.  Ime could have had the Cavs looking even better.  I think he'd love some of the personnel there.

Mostly, I just like how our coach has a chip on his shoulder.  It's like Paul Pierce, or any number of other stars (Jimmy Butler, I'm sure) being motivated by the teams that passed on them.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

You don't see this very much, but I love it:

While the Celtics judged correctly on Udoka, there were apparently several other teams that didn’t. In an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Udoka shared that he was close to getting other head coaching jobs prior to Boston hiring him in 2021 as he spent nine seasons as an assistant coach. “The one thing I would say is the disappointment of coming in second a few years really hurt,” Udoka told Haynes of the process he went through to become a head coach. “But if you told me I’d have to wait for Boston and get [bypassed] by some of the ones that I got beat out on, it’s a no-brainer for me. I’m happy to be in Boston.”

Udoka also shared which teams had him No. 2 on their lists before saying how “proud” he was to be a part of the Celtics. “You really want me to tell you? Detroit, Indiana, Cleveland,” Udoka said. “I can go down the list. That was tough because I believe I was ready. But I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of an organization that’s pushing for winning and championships. You can be in a lot of different situations. There are only 30 teams and I get that, but to not be in a rebuild and being in an expectation pressure-filled situation, I wouldn’t trade that in any day.”

In other words, screw you and your perpetually rebuilding franchises.

FIFY