Rumors circulating that the Celtics players “never got over” are refuted by Marcus Smart. Ime Udoka’s dismissal
As shown in a video from CLNS Media, Smart shot back at the accusation on Tuesday morning, saying, “No, no.” Whether I was there or not, we are the ones having a good time. We must go outside and play. Joe does a great job at setting us up for success.
They come up with a strategy. We bear accountability. As a player, there’s just so much a coach can do for you. Eventually, you have to go within and make some discoveries.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics squad was dissatisfied with the harshness of the punishment and the ambiguity surrounding Udoka’s ban from last autumn prior to Monday night’s Western Conference Finals.
“The athletes disregarded the organization’s explanation for acting in this manner. They thought that was an overly dramatic exaggeration, Wojnarowski said. Many others outside the scenario thought it was an HR problem and an overreaction.
Wojnarowski went on, “With this squad and talking with management, I think they never got the answers; they never got more knowledge on this than the public did.” That’s not to say they don’t acknowledge Joe Mazzulla as head coach. Still, this is a group that genuinely believes in Ime Udoka and has a good relationship with her. I think that in a couple instances this season, a lot of that frustration returned. After the Rockets first appointed Udoka as head coach, the Brooklyn Nets were on the verge of doing the same.
Just before training camp started, the Celtics banned Udoka indefinitely for many violations of club rules, including an alleged inappropriate relationship with a female team member. Ultimately, Boston removed Udoka from his position in February and named Joe Mazzulla as interim head coach before removing the temporary label.
ESPN claims that an independent law firm’s investigation revealed Udoka used derogatory language toward the female subordinate prior to their romantic relationship. After leaving the Boston Celtics last month, Udoka was named the new head coach of the Houston Rockets.
Mazzulla has drawn a lot of criticism for his play in the postseason despite just being 34 years old when he was elevated to head coach, especially because Boston is now at risk of falling to the Miami Heat 0-3.
Mazzulla was mostly considered responsible for Boston’s terrible performance in Game 3 at Kaseya Center on Sunday night.
“I just didn’t have them ready to play,” said Mazzolla. “I just didn’t have them use the proper tactic. I did not prepare them or instill in them the right mindset. It is my duty to make sure they are linked and ready to play, but I didn’t do that.
Smart was not at all surprised by Mazzulla’s attempt to take the majority of the blame for the Celtics’ humiliating defeat. But in keeping with his comments on Udoka, Smart underlined that the players on the court are solely to blame for Boston’s current predicament.
From Smart’s account, that is Joe. “He is an enemy.” He wants to do everything right and to be flawless. Joe isn’t at fault, though. Joe can’t go into the game and examine himself. We bear accountability. While Joe accepted it politely, he is not entirely to blame for anything.
