It all seemed like an inevitability that Ime Udoka would become the next head coach of the Nets, but that may no longer be the case.
A new report indicates that the Nets are slowing their search for Udoka, considering the baggage that may come with the suspended Boston Celtics coach. Nets owner Joe Tsai is hearing from some “strong voices” who are encouraging him to back down from hiring Udoka, according to NBA Insider Mark Stein,
Adam Zagoria of NJ.com It also reported that NBA commissioner Adam Silver would have stepped down and a source told him that “there has been some concern from women in leadership positions within the Nets.” The reporting also confirmed to Stein that Tsai was receiving pushback and that there was “a lot of potential drama”.
Brooklyn is already under considerable scrutiny after Kevin Durant posted a film on social media that is full of anti-Semitic rhetoric. Brooklyn eventually suspended Irving last week, but amid that turmoil, they fired Steve Nash and it quickly leaked that Udoka would be hired.
Udoka was suspended by the Celtics for having an inappropriate relationship with a female employee. It was later reported that he made “unsolicited comments to the woman”, according to Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski, which were reported to have been used by Udoka. “Raw language.”
Udoka was a former assistant coach with Brooklyn before being hired at Boston and has previously established relationships with Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and Irving. However, the scandal that led to the Celtics suspending him may have stalled the hiring.
There had already been some uproar after reports of her being hired by the Net, including the women’s advice group UltraViolet.
“The Nets represent Brooklyn – one of the most progressive places in the country. Hiring someone as head coach who has been proven to act irresponsibly in positions of power is a matter of many standards.” would refute what New Yorkers not only adhere to, but establish themselves as the birthplace of the #MeToo movement,” Bridget Todd, communications director at UltraViolet, said as part of a statement released Wednesday.
“As such, Ultraviolet is joining several calls for the Nets not to appoint Ime Udoka as the team’s new head coach.”
Jack Vaughan has since served as the Nets’ interim coach and coached the Nets to a 2-1 record in Monday night’s game with the Dallas Mavericks.
