Newly-hired Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka revealed Wednesday that he already made necessary efforts and contemplation to atone his unnecessary conduct that booted him out of the Boston Celtics this season.
“They’ve done due diligence and homework on who I am as a person,” Udoka said in his introductory press conference as the team’s newest head coach, per The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigan. “We spent quality time together, getting to know each other. I made my statement when everything happened. I apologized to a lot of people for the position I put them in, and I stand by that. I feel much more remorse even now toward that.
“I spent this last offseason working on myself in a lot of different ways, improving in areas. A chance to sit back to reflect and grow, and I think that will make me a better coach and an overall better leader.”
Udoka was notably slapped by a full season suspension by the Celtics franchise after it was found out that he have an improper, consensual relationship with a female subordinate. Investigations further revealed that the team staffer also accused him of the usage of crude language.
His indefinite absence came in months after he led Boston to a marvelous season turnaround and a trip to the NBA Finals in his first year as a bench boss in his coaching career. Udoka and the Celtics only just came up short against the Golden State Warriors in six games of the championship tilt.
Udoka went on to get replaced by his assistant in Joe Mazzulla. Initially started on an interim basis, the 34-year-old mentor was named by the Celtics as their new head coach last February upon leading them to a solid regular season record.
For Udoka, he got no such ill feelings of being dismissed by the club, as he believes it was only the right thing to accomplish.
“My part in it was to take ownership and accountability,” Udoka said. “It was their right to go about it however they want to.”
The Rockets are entirely aware of the possible reactions that people may create should they tap Udoka as their new leader on the sidelines, given the scandal that he created within the Celtics from last year.
As such, team governor Tilman Ferttita noted that the NBA got no issue nor hard stance about potentially hiring Udoka as their new head coach.
“The NBA told me that they felt very comfortable with Ime becoming the coach of the Houston Rockets,” Fertitta said. “That felt good to me after a lengthy conversation.
“We’re a forgiving society, and everybody makes mistakes. Some things maybe we shouldn’t forgive people for. We’re a forgiving world. Anybody that isn’t forgiving, then shame on them.”
Udoka is set to inherit a youthful Rockets team that has been mediocre and delivered such lack of progress amid that blossoming talent, tallying a .25 percent win rate for the last three seasons (59-177) under Stephen Silas.
While he is fully determined to accept the challenge of elevating the franchise’s contending status, Udoka is also motivated that his takeover in Houston will offer him a fresh start to fully redeem himself for the better.
“Really, that time off and really a full understanding of how many people you impact with a poor decision, that starts with ownership and accountability,” he said. “I preach that to players. I take responsibility for my part in it. I took leadership and sensitivity training and some counseling with my son to help him improve the situation I put him in.
“You can grow from adversity — and I think I’ve done that this year — if you … take the right steps.”
