Ime Udoka says he has undergone sensitivity training, counseling with his son, and has apologized to everyone around him after he was fired by the Celtics due to an affair. He also talks about his new head coaching gig with the Houston Rockets. Deets about his press conference, plus Giannis Antetokounmpo’s perfect response to a lame question inside…
Eight months after his indefinite suspension and eventual departure from Boston due to an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer, Ime Udoka has resurfaced as the Houston Rockets’ new head coach.
In a press conference on Monday, the Houston Rockets introduced their newest head coach, 45-year-old Ime Udoka.
For the first time since his initial statement following the suspension, Udoka publicly shared his thoughts about the affair and the aftermath. During his media appearance in Houston, Udoka was questioned about the controversial end to his time with the Celtics.
“I released a statement months ago when everything happened and apologized to a lot of people for the tough position I put them in,” Udoka said. “I stand by that, and I feel much more remorse even now towards that. I’ve spent this last offseason working on myself in a lot of different ways, improving in areas with a chance to sit back, reflect, and grow. I think that will make me a better coach and a better leader. But, the matter has been resolved and I can’t really speak much about it.”
Udoka was suspended by the Celtics for multiple team policy violations related to his relationship with a female staff member. In his absence, 34-year-old Joe Mazzulla was appointed interim coach. In February, Boston and Udoka went their separate ways, resulting in the removal of Mazzulla’s interim tag.
Coach Udoka said he has undergone sensitivity training, counseling with his son, and he’s taking full accountability for his poor decisions.
“Just having that time off and really a full understanding how many people were impacted by a poor decision. That’s where you start with ownership and accountability. I preach that to the players, so I have to take responsibility for my part in it. I took leadership sensitivity training and some counseling with my son to help him improve the situation I put him in. I spent a year – you can grow from adversity and I think I’ve done that this year.”
Udoka has an 11-year-old son, Kez, whom he shares with ex-fiancée Nia Long.
He assured that the matter had “been resolved,” but stated that he couldn’t elaborate much further on the issue.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said the Rockets conducted thorough research before hiring Udoka and felt confident in their decision. He stated that there was nothing that indicated Udoka was unfit to work in the NBA.
Watch below (starting at the 7:45 mark):
The scandal surrounding Udoka’s violations of team policy ultimately resulted in his suspension as Boston’s head coach for the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season. The situation sent shockwaves through both the NBA and the Celtics organization, as Udoka was reportedly involved in an inappropriate, consensual relationship with a female colleague.
According to a Celtics spokesperson, Udoka’s multiple policy violations involved a single woman. While no other members of the organization faced discipline, Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck has stated that the team will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that Udoka’s actions do not foreshadow a more significant issue.
“H-Town, I’m here.”
New Rockets head coach Ime Udoka #Rocketspic.twitter.com/rwZDZzf3x6
— Rockets Nation (@RocketsNationCP) April 28, 2023
Ime Udoka, who had been in a relationship with actress Nia Long for over a decade, will now take on a new challenge as the head coach of the Houston Rockets. Udoka had previously led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals during his first year as a head coach, but a scandal involving multiple policy violations with a female staffer ultimately led to his suspension and departure from the organization.
Nia and Udoka are no longer together but remain committed to co-parenting their son, Kez. The Rockets finished 14th in the western conference last season and will look to rebuild under Udoka’s leadership with a roster that includes talented players such as Jalen Green, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr.
In other basketball news…
Following their Game 5 and series loss to the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo gave his honest opinion on if this was a failed season for the Bucks.
Despite a valiant effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who battled through injury, the Bucks fell short against the Heat. Despite leading by 16 points at the start of the fourth quarter, the Bucks were unable to hold off the Heat, who forced overtime and ultimately won 128-126, thus ending Milwaukee’s season earlier than expected.
In his postgame media availability, Giannis was asked whether he considered this season a failure for the Bucks. The two-time MVP provided a thoughtful and elaborate response to the question.
”Oh my god. You asked me the same question last year Eric,” Giannis said addressing The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “Do you get a promotion every year? No, so every year you work is a failure, yes or no? No. Every year you work, you work towards a goal. Whether it is to get a promotion, to take care of your family, to be able to provide a house for them or take care of your parents, you work towards a goal.
”It’s not a failure, it’s steps to success… There are always steps to it. You know, Michael Jordan played 15 years and won six championships. The other nine years were a failure? That’s what you are telling me.”
”There is no failure in sports,” Giannis went on to elaborate. “There are good days, bad days, some days you are able to be successful, some days you’re not. Some days it’s your turn, some days it’s not your turn and that’s what sports about. You don’t always win, some others going to win. This year, someone else going to win. It’s as simple as that.”
Giannis also acknowledged the significance of the Bucks’ first championship in 50 years, but emphasized that the team cannot rest on its laurels and must continue to work hard and improve in order to achieve sustained success in the future.
Peep the clip – that has gone viral – above.
Some would argue failure does, in fact, exist in sports – particularly professional sports, where players are paid millions of dollars to win games.
”Inside the NBA” analysts Shaq, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson weighed in on Giannis’ remarks, where they had different opinions about his statements:
The TV hosts revisted Giannis’ comments to dive deeper:
Thoughts?
Photo: AP Photo/Steven Senne, File/YouTube Screenshot
