When Ime Udoka was suspended in September for violating team policies, we thought that it was the last time we would hear from him for at least a year.
Udoka’s inappropriate relationship with a Celtics staffer turned ugly and the Celtics acted decisively with his suspension.
Then the season began with Joe Mazzulla leading the Celtics and the team jumped out to a quick 3-0 record.
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, things soured quickly for the Nets, which started the season 1-6.
To his credit, Kevin Durant, who wanted to be traded this summer, is balling. Yet the rest of the team looks disinterested most of the time.
Then Kyrie Irving decided to unleash his annual moment of distraction and team destabilization, this time involving ignorance and antisemitism.
And that was the beginning of the end.
Not for Durant and Irving though.
No. The organization recognized the desperate need for change, so they “parted ways” with head coach Steve Nash on Tuesday. In all honesty, that wasn’t a surprise though.
Afterward, fans wondered who would take over a 2-6 team mired in dysfunction and listless play.
That’s when Ime Udoka’s name shockingly resurfaced as a potential candidate.
Udoka was an assistant with the Nets in the 2020-21 season, so the two do have history.
But after their horrible start to the season and Irving’s dance with ignorance, why would the team want to bring on an individual that would only throw gasoline on a rapidly intensifying fire?
The answer is simple- because winning is that important.
It’s more important than morals, reputation, ethics and doing the right thing. It overshadows what should be done in favor of what we need to do to win.
While its true that Udoka didn’t commit a criminal offense, he tainted his reputation and embarrassed both the Celtics and his family with improper and overall horrible behavior. A decision that resulted in a year-long suspension.
Yet Brooklyn, in need of change, a leader and a proven winner, is willing to jump right into the sinkhole with a lifeline and free him from the abyss of punishment.
And that’s a horrible look.
Will it benefit them on the court if they follow through with his hiring? Yes.
Will it help dim the spotlight shining on Kyrie Irving’s antisemitic incident? Yes.
But what does it say to those who participate in the same type of behavior?
What does it say to victims who suffer through abuse, intimidation, humiliation, helplessness and torment?
While we don’t know all of the details of the situation involving Udoka and Boston’s staffer, we do know that their relationship started as a consensual one but transgressed into one where Udoka became the aggressor who refused to back off or quit.
Most people deserve second chances, for everyone makes mistakes and horrendous decisions.
But how others react to those decisions and offer a second chance matters.
In this case, a year-long suspension could actually only mean a few weeks if the Brooklyn Nets have their way and sign Ime Udoka as their new head coach.
That means that a few times a year, Udoka will lead the Nets into Boston where his behavior will be amplified by the media and fans, and his former partner will be forced to re-live what she tried to end.
Responding to that type of behavior is not as simple as writing a check, which is what the Nets and Kyrie did on Thursday, donating $500,000 a piece to organizations combating hate, bigotry, discrimination and general oppression.
No, this has physical, mental and visual repercussions that could, will and should reverberate across the sports landscape.
The Nets are drowning in drama right now, and you can see that the team will only continue its descent without a major catalyst that will right the ship and bring positive change.
Yes, Ime Udoka can be that bringer of change, but the cost is too high morally and personally.
Boston, according to TNT’s Chris Haynes, will not even seek compensation from the Nets if Brooklyn hires Udoka. That’s how badly they want to distance themselves from Udoka’s mess.
This is a perfect time for Brooklyn to step back and find another way to win.
Otherwise, it’s simply business as usual and toxic behavior is rewarded once again.
