The Celtics suspend their coach for a year for his consensual relationship with a co-worker

In May, Ime Udoka was a hero in Boston, the coach in whose first season in charge he made the Celtics of basketball dream of glories of bygone days by taking them to the NBA finals, their first in 12 years, which they ended up losing to the Golden State Warriors.

At this point in September, Udoka is an uncomfortable piece in the puzzle of one of the most traditional franchises in the United States.

The Celtics have suspended the coach for the 2022-2023 season for a relationship with a co-worker.

She is spoiled, but breaks the rules of the organization.

The news of the sanction, which is unprecedented for an active coach in NBA history, was confirmed by the team on Thursday.

This is not good news for the coach, but neither does it seem good news for the team and its fans, who were heading into the season, which starts on October 18, among the favorites to win the ring and thus break the 17-title tie with their rivals of all life, Los Angeles Lakers.

His replacement will be second in command Joe Mazzulla, who has been with the Celtics since 2019 and rose to the top assistant job when Will Hardy left last June for the Utah Jazz.

Udoka, who finished fourth last season in the voting for the NBA's best coach, made his debut on the Celtics' bench a year ago.

He came to replace Brad Stevens, who accepted an executive position at the top of the franchise (President of operations) after the departure of Danny Ainge.

The now-suspended Udoka, 45, previously had spells with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, none of which he was a head coach.

Before that he was a player in a career without much luck that took him to the Spanish league, where he played for the teams of Gran Canaria and Murcia.

In Boston he crowned an extraordinary season, which, however, started limping.

This year was the time to reap the rewards with a young team that he knew how to unite and that is now hanging by a thread.

Udoka has been in a 12-year relationship with actress Nia Long, whom you may remember from her role on the popular series

opposite Will Smith

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