For confidentiality reasons, Boston Celtics players reportedly still don’t know all the specifics regarding the workplace scandal that cost former head coach Ime Udoka his job before the 2022-23 year.
Nonetheless, as they’ve stated multiple times this season, they do still appreciate his work with them the previous season, which is when the Celtics were 2021-22 Eastern Conference champions.
Prior to Tuesday’s Game 5 of Boston’s first-round playoff series versus the Atlanta Hawks, Celtics veterans Derrick White and Al Horford were both asked about their feelings of Udoka resurfacing for the 2023-24 season as head coach of the Houston Rockets.
Among White’s comments:
I’m happy for him. I definitely wish him the best. I mean, obviously I was with him in San Antonio (where) I started my career, so I saw him there. But then (I saw) a different light of him as a head coach. He’s definitely a good basketball mind, and he’s going to do a good job.
I didn’t text him or anything, but I definitely wish him the best and want the best for him. … I think he’ll do a good job of changing the culture over there. That’s just the type of guy and coach he is. So he’s going to do a good job there, and help them turn it around.
As White alluded to, he played multiple seasons in San Antonio when Udoka was an assistant to legendary coach Gregg Popovich.
As for Horford, here’s what the veteran big man had to say:
I think it’s good. I think it’s good for him, I’m happy for him. … I think it’s good for him to get that opportunity.
Our feel is, we have a big game ahead of us. … Our ability to win this game, that’s all we’re looking at right now.
Finally, here’s what Joe Mazzulla, who replaced Udoka as head coach, said Tuesday about Udoka rejoining the league:
Second chances are important. Grace is important. Forgiveness is important. I’m a product of a second chance. I think it’s important to have that in society.
Game 5 between the Celtics and Hawks tips at 6:30 p.m. Central.
Joe Mazzulla texted Ime Udoka congratulations.
“I’m a product of a second chance.” @ABC6 #BleedGreen #nba #NBAPlayoffs @HendrickenHawks @HendrickenAth #JohnstonJoe pic.twitter.com/fI7xmNUtyk
— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) April 25, 2023
