Ime Udoka is the new head coach (Merged)

[Tr1boy]

https://mobile.twitter.com/RealJayWilliams?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

JW trying to deflect from his mistake...with posts about Trae Young performance/playoffs etc

Some responses are.... "1st black player to hit a 3"... "is this your post or hackers??"

 

[colincb]

Celtics to hire Nets assistant Ime Udoka as head coach
By Adam Himmelsbach June 23, 2021

Since being promoted to replace Danny Ainge as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations three weeks ago, Brad Stevens has worked feverishly to find his replacement as head coach. He eventually whittled a long list of candidates to a select few, and then one began to emerge.

League sources said that Stevens had numerous conversations with Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Ime Udoka. On Sunday, sources said, a Celtics contingent that included Stevens, team owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, and vice president of player development Allison Feaster conducted the final interview with Udoka in New York.

Udoka, a longtime NBA assistant, impressed the Celtics with his knowledge of the game, his attention to detail, and his passion to win. And on Wednesday, league sources said, he was hired as the Celtics’ next head coach.
The hiring has not been officially announced yet so the Celtics declined to comment, but a news conference is expected on Monday.

According to a league source, Udoka was intrigued by the opportunity to work for Stevens, who developed a reputation as one of the game’s brightest minds during his eight-year run as Celtics coach, in part because Stevens would understand Udoka’s role as well as anyone. Also, Udoka was excited about the chance to guide a roster that included two young All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Brown, Tatum, and Marcus Smart played for Team USA in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, when Udoka was an assistant coach for the team. Sources said Celtics players, particularly Tatum and Brown, were consulted about this hire, and that they were pleased with the decision.

Stevens said last week that he has spoken to Ainge frequently since assuming his post, and Ainge, who was the team’s president of basketball operations for 18 years, was asked for his input on this hire, too, sources said.
Danny Ainge was asked for his input on the hiring of Ime Udoka.

As the Celtics contacted people around the NBA to learn more about Udoka, the reviews were consistently glowing. He is known for his work ethic, and the Celtics are hopeful that as a former player he will be able to relate to this young team. One source said that during Udoka’s previous stops as an assistant, he would often go out to dinner with players to find out more about them.

Udoka, 43, spent seven years as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio before joining the 76ers staff in the 2019-20 season in place of Monty Williams, who left to coach the Suns. This year, Udoka was hired as an assistant under Brooklyn coach Steve Nash. A league source said this pedigree, particularly the extensive experience working with Popovich, was viewed as a major benefit.

Udoka grew up in Oregon and attended high school in Portland. He played college basketball at the University of San Francisco before transferring to Portland State. He went undrafted in 2000 and played independent basketball before joining the NBDL — now known as the G League — in its second season.

He went on to play for the Lakers, Knicks, Trail Blazers, and Spurs over parts of seven seasons, averaging 5.2 points per game. He spent his last four years with San Antonio, and parlayed that into a role on the team’s coaching staff.
In 2019, Udoka interviewed for the Cavaliers head coaching job, but that ultimately went to former Michigan coach John Beilein.

Now Udoka is getting his chance. He will soon assemble the rest of his coaching staff.

Typically, teams in the Las Vegas summer league are guided by assistants, but first-year head coaches sometimes take the reins. It’s not immediately known whether Udoka will guide Boston’s squad in August.

He is the first hire by Stevens, who has jumped headfirst into his new role. On Friday, Stevens completed a deal in which he traded former All-Star Kemba Walker and Boston’s first-round pick to the Thunder in exchange for former Celtics forward Al Horford and center Moses

[Kuberski33]

I'm on board with this hire.  Being a disciple of Popovich is a massive positive IMO - of course it doesn't guarantee success (see Brown, Brett) but he's learned from one of the best. This guy knows what it takes to win as both a player and a coach. 

I've been pleasantly surprised with PBS's decisions thus far.

For all the love that Popovich gets from fans and (especially) media we must also not lose sight of the fact that in the end, Kawhi Leonard wanted nothing to do with him or the organization, forced his way out of town and set the organization back considerably. Any coach who loses his star player that way in Boston would probably become public enemy #1 with the fans.

Not that Udoka won't be successful but this glorification of Pop at times is a bit much. If the ping pong balls fell a little different Pitino's first season and Tim Duncan winds up here (which was what was supposed to happen according to the odds) - maybe history unfolds quite a bit differently.

[gouki88]

I'm on board with this hire.  Being a disciple of Popovich is a massive positive IMO - of course it doesn't guarantee success (see Brown, Brett) but he's learned from one of the best. This guy knows what it takes to win as both a player and a coach. 

I've been pleasantly surprised with PBS's decisions thus far.

For all the love that Popovich gets from fans and (especially) media we must also not lose sight of the fact that in the end, Kawhi Leonard wanted nothing to do with him or the organization, forced his way out of town and set the organization back considerably. Any coach who loses his star player that way in Boston would probably become public enemy #1 with the fans.

Not that Udoka won't be successful but this glorification of Pop at times is a bit much. If the ping pong balls fell a little different Pitino's first season and Tim Duncan winds up here (which was what was supposed to happen according to the odds) - maybe history unfolds quite a bit differently.

Now you've got me thinking about the potential of a McGrady - Parker - Manu trio... thanks a lot!

[Kernewek]

Exciting stuff. Was not expecting Stevens to move Kemba either, so there's a lot to look forward to on opening day.

[Roy H.]

I think he's a great fit with Brad Stevens," MacMullan said. "When I think about Brad Stevens, I think of someone who is not a self-promoter, that likes to stay under the radar and just do his work. Someone who's a defensive-first coach in many ways, who believes in the pillars of consistency and character. All the things that the San Antonio Spurs have represented, an organization that we know Brad Stevens has openly admired, and Ime is part of that coaching tree.

"As for the players endorsing him, that is wonderful, but don't be mistaken. When need be, the word on the street is Ime can be a hard-nosed guy with his players. Fair, but can be hard-nosed and I think that's something this Celtics team could use."

One criticism of Stevens was that he wasn't hard enough on his players during times in which it was warranted. By the sound of it, Udoka has a knack for holding players accountable.

Another quality that likely appealed to the Celtics during the interview process is Udoka's focus on defense. The Celtics struggled throughout the 2020-21 campaign on that side of the floor.

"One of the things [Udoka] did was connect almost immediately with James Harden when he came over (to the Nets)," MacMullan said. "And as you know, Harden came over there a little battered with a very public perception that wasn't so hot, and he really calmed him down. One of his specialties as we've talked about is defense. You could see the defensive commitment Harden made with that team."

[Donoghus]

LOL, no shame... (that said, anyone caught it first hand?)

Jay Williams @RealJayWilliams
As it relates to the Boston Celtics tweet that came from my account a couple of hours ago… I did not post that & my passcode has now been changed.
7:37 PM · Jun 23, 2021

https://twitter.com/RealJayWilliams/status/1407845316582264833

This is unbelievably embarrassing. It even had the overuse of ellipses' common in his tweets!

It's been a very rough few weeks for Jay Williams, first with the KD thing and now this.

What KD thing?

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/kevin-durant-jay-williams-nets-espn/1nx2qsgqhxl8t1ng511y7nrpme

Jay Williams is a joke. Is anyone buying this hacking crap?

A hacker cracks a sports celebrity's twitter to make a single post that in a ridiculously inaccurate sports statement?

Umm....yeah no.

[Tr1boy]

Udoka lived in Los Angeles at the time but (literally) went the extra mile by joining Aldridge on his flight to Dallas to try to sell him on the Spurs.

"He’s like, ‘I live here (in Los Angeles) right now. I’m flying just to answer any questions that you have,’ " Aldridge recalled to Amick. "I was like, ‘Man, you’re crazy.’ I said, ‘Get off the plane.’ He said, ‘No, I’m going to answer any question that you have.’ So I’m like, ‘You don’t have to do this. Don’t do this.’ He’s like, ‘Nah, I’m not getting off.' "

Udoka's persistence paid off: He used the flight to Dallas to assuage any concerns Aldridge had about coexisting with Tim Duncan and being too offensive-minded for San Antonio's unselfish squad. Aldridge signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Spurs shortly after.

"I told (Spurs general manager) R.C. Buford, I said, ‘Ime got the deal done,' " Aldridge added.

That Udoka was able to recruit an All-Star as an assistant coach should give Celtics fans optimism entering a pivotal offseason. Udoka was an assistant for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup -- where several C's players reportedly enjoyed their experience with him -- so perhaps he built relationships with other stars on that team as well.

The 43-year-old also was an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers (2019-20) and Brooklyn Nets (2020-21). While he may have had a stronger bond with Aldridge thanks to their days as teammates, it's not far-fetched to imagine a pending free agent who played for Udoka taking a long look at the Celtics.

Udoka is crazy indeed. Extra mile Udoka

[tonydelk]

Udoka lived in Los Angeles at the time but (literally) went the extra mile by joining Aldridge on his flight to Dallas to try to sell him on the Spurs.

"He’s like, ‘I live here (in Los Angeles) right now. I’m flying just to answer any questions that you have,’ " Aldridge recalled to Amick. "I was like, ‘Man, you’re crazy.’ I said, ‘Get off the plane.’ He said, ‘No, I’m going to answer any question that you have.’ So I’m like, ‘You don’t have to do this. Don’t do this.’ He’s like, ‘Nah, I’m not getting off.' "

Udoka's persistence paid off: He used the flight to Dallas to assuage any concerns Aldridge had about coexisting with Tim Duncan and being too offensive-minded for San Antonio's unselfish squad. Aldridge signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Spurs shortly after.

"I told (Spurs general manager) R.C. Buford, I said, ‘Ime got the deal done,' " Aldridge added.

That Udoka was able to recruit an All-Star as an assistant coach should give Celtics fans optimism entering a pivotal offseason. Udoka was an assistant for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup -- where several C's players reportedly enjoyed their experience with him -- so perhaps he built relationships with other stars on that team as well.

The 43-year-old also was an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers (2019-20) and Brooklyn Nets (2020-21). While he may have had a stronger bond with Aldridge thanks to their days as teammates, it's not far-fetched to imagine a pending free agent who played for Udoka taking a long look at the Celtics.

Udoka is crazy indeed. Extra mile Udoka

Wonder if a guy like Aldredge would be offered a position on Udoka's staff.  Great guy to work with the Bigs.

[footey]

Wonder whether Brad will discuss with defensive minded Coach Udoka re-signing of Fournier, and whether Udoka will be on board. Fournier struggled defensively in playoffs, albeit against the juggernaut Nets.  Seems like Brad's roster construction will emphasize size and shooting prowess, but also a defensive identity.  Will be interested to see how this plays out.

[footey]

Ringer claims Billups was Tatum’s top choice while Brown favored Udoka.

Grain of salt.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Wonder whether Brad will discuss with defensive minded Coach Udoka re-signing of Fournier, and whether Udoka will be on board. Fournier struggled defensively in playoffs, albeit against the juggernaut Nets.  Seems like Brad's roster construction will emphasize size and shooting prowess, but also a defensive identity.  Will be interested to see how this plays out.

I'm sure he'll be part of the discussion, that comes with the territory. If Stevens isn't discussing potential moves with his coach then he's doing a poor job.

As for Fournier, he wouldn't be starting to begin with, so I wouldn't worry too much about that particularly against what he showed vs. the Nets.

[Ogaju]

Ringer claims Billups was Tatum’s top choice while Brown favored Udoka.

Grain of salt.

Brown knows what time it is.

[Tr1boy]

Ringer claims Billups was Tatum’s top choice while Brown favored Udoka.

Grain of salt.

Tatum and the team is in for a treat

Udoka Popovich system

[Bobshot]

Idiot.

Edit: Didn't know we could post gifs. Nice

Looks like he's already taken it down. LOL

Ya within minutes.

We all have posts we'd like to take back, it happens Jay. Hope the backlash teaches him something about the city though.

Long before Doc, Bill Russell back in 1966 was the first black coach in NBA history:

https://aaregistry.org/story/the-first-black-nba-coach/

'66? My memory isn't perfect. I recall Russ coaching the championship team in '69 that came out of nowhere to beat the mighty Lakers in the 7th game of the finals--in LA.
With the balloons in the rafters waiting to fall.

I was  in school watching the game at the time at a party with my apartment mate, who had gone to Jerry West's high school in Cabin Creek. Needless to say, he was a Lakers fan.
Russ and I both had a big laugh after that game. Russ promptly retired. The end of a dynasty.  I graduated soon after that.