By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
From Ime Udoka to Joe Mazzulla. The Boston Celtics to name the 34-year-old tactician as the interim head coach heading to the 2022-23 NBA season.
Udoka, 45, was suspended for the next season due to violating team rules, as expected. He had a consensual, intimate relationship with a female staffer, breaching team policies.
Per the press release: “The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violations of team policies. A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately.”
Udoka reacted by issuing a statement, shared by ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment,” he mentioned.
Mazzulla has been on the coaching staff of the Celtics since 2019, after serving as an assistant at affiliate Maine Red Claws, now called Maine Celtics.
It has been a rough patch for Boston with both Danilo Gallinari and Robert Williams slated for surgery this week.
Challenging demands emerge as the Celtics look to defend the title of Eastern Conference champions. In the 2022 Playoffs, they reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 but lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
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