Like most NBA head coaches, Ime Udoka prefers to keep the focus on his players, rather than on himself and other Houston Rockets coaches. But at least for one night, that may be too much to ask.
On Saturday, Udoka makes his first return to Boston since the improper workplace relationship that cost him his job there.
It’s unclear what the reception from Celtics fans will be. Udoka’s one year as head coach in Boston was brilliant, punctuated by a trip to the 2022 NBA Finals. But it was immediately followed that offseason by a workplace scandal that ultimately led to a parting of ways.
Whatever the case, Udoka says he is much more focused on getting his current team an upset victory. Houston (19-18) enters on night two of a back-to-back after Friday’s close win in Detroit.