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It looks like there’s trouble in Boston. After a phenomenal 2021/2022 campaign with the Boston Celtics. Ime Udoka has found himself in the hot seat as rumours leaked about him having an affair with a female member of the Boston Celtics.
It’s public knowledge that Ime has been in a long-term relationship with his fiancé and actress star Nia Long. So when this news first broke, it spread like wildfire.
Having impressively reached the NBA Finals last year. This off-season couldn’t have possibly gone any worse for the Boston Celtics. After signing the talented NBA veteran Danilo Gallinari. He unfortunately suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury while playing in the FIBA World Cup tournament for Italy.
As for Boston starting center Robert Williams aka Timelord. After coming back from his meniscus tear injury quicker than expected in the playoffs last year. Even though he was given the go-ahead to do so. As a result, he has now had to undergo an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies and address the swelling in his knee. He’s now expected to be out for 8-12 weeks and will likely not feature for the Celtics until 2023.
If all of this bad news wasn’t enough already. Ime’s frivolous actions have issued yet another huge blow to the Celtics. He knowingly violated the franchise’s policy of not getting romantically involved with co-workers.
It was stated that the relationship between Ime and the female Celtics staff member was consensual. However, there have since been further details leaked that Ime allegedly made unwanted comments towards a female staffer which prompted an internal investigation.
The Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck stated that “Multiple violations there were a couple of violations at least”. From this, it’s clear we are not yet privy to all the details of what’s gone on.
Nonetheless, for the organisation to suspend him for the full season, one would think it would be for more than a consensual relationship and a few immature unwanted comments.
But let’s not speculate on that. One thing we know for a fact is that Ime Udoka will not be the Celtic’s head coach for this upcoming season, and Joe Mazzulla will instead take on the role on an interim basis.
The chances of Ime returning to his position after the suspension do look slim. A lot can change in a year, and what he’s done is left a huge stain on his resume.
It’s a real shame that a man who waited almost ten years for a head coach opportunity and finally got one and showed that he was by far better than the majority of coaches in the NBA has thrown it all away so quickly.
Not only has Ime Udoka let himself, his family, the Celtics franchise, and fans down. He’s let all young, black up-and-coming coaches around the world down too.
There isn’t a lot of black representation in managerial positions in the NBA. So the fact a new one finally gets a chance and quickly shows he can do it, but just as quickly ruins it all is very disappointing. Hopefully, Ime can genuinely learn from his mistakes and not just become a better coach but also a better man from this ugly situation.
Words By Aaron Adade
