Celtics legend Kevin Garnett is curious which stars will “step up and lead” the staff after Boston suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the complete 2022-23 season.
Final week, the Celtics introduced Udoka had violated staff insurance policies, reportedly by having an improper relationship with a feminine staff employees member.
“The query nonetheless is right here, ‘who’s gonna lead them?’ Is that this the time the place [Jayson] Tatum and [Jaylen] Brown step up?” Garnett mentioned in a preview video of Showtime Basketball’s full “Licensed Smoke” 2022-23 NBA season preview.
The Corridor of Fame ahead was joined by fellow Celtics nice Paul Pierce, together with former NBA champions and “All of the Smoke” podcast hosts, Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes.
“The locker room, the cohesiveness must be on a thousand,” Garnett mentioned. “Your actual chief, your normal [Udoka] just isn't going to be there for a complete 12 months.”
Garnett — who spent six seasons with the Celtics — was the final participant to assist deliver a championship to Boston in 2008.
The Celtics got here near hanging an 18th banner within the rafters at TD Backyard final season, when Tatum and Brown led Boston to the Finals, the place they fell to the Warriors in six video games.
“Simply take into consideration all that promise, all that funding they took on attending to the Finals and what that 12 months was like. You’ve all been there,” Garnett mentioned. “It’s arduous as s–t to get to the Finals. Take into consideration going house as a loser, and going house on trip and each time you see any person being reminded of that sh-t and then you definitely are available in right here to this [Udoka suspension].
“Darkish occasions present true self in personnel. That is when folks step up and that is whenever you come out and develop wings.”
Barnes added that Celtics gamers might be confronted with addressing Udoka’s suspension repeatedly all through the season.
“Each time they undergo a lull this season, that is going to get introduced up, after they lose two or three video games,” Barnes mentioned.
“The league don’t care about these excuses,” Garnett replied. “Whenever you undergo one thing, it brings you nearer collectively.”
Final Friday, Celtics majority proprietor Wyc Grousbeck mentioned in a press convention that a months-long investigation discovered a “quantity of violations” by Udoka.
Grousbeck, together with Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, didn't share additional particulars concerning the state of affairs for privateness causes.
Tatum informed The Athletic that he and teammates discovered of Udoka’s suspension “on Twitter, like everyone else.” The All-Star guard referred to as it “an unlucky state of affairs” that caught the staff “off guard.”
In a assertion shared on Twitter by ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Udoka apologized to Celtics gamers, the group, followers and his household for “letting them down.
“I'm sorry for placing the staff on this tough state of affairs, and I settle for the staff’s determination,” the assertion learn. “Out of respect for everybody concerned, I'll don't have any additional remark.”
Udoka’s fiancée, actress Nia Lengthy, requested that her privateness be revered in an announcement launched to TMZ by way of her rep.
“The outpouring of affection and assist from household, pals and the neighborhood throughout this tough time means a lot to me,” Lengthy mentioned within the assertion. “I ask that my privateness be revered as I course of the latest occasions. Above all, I'm a mom and can proceed to deal with my youngsters.”
Joe Mazzulla will act as interim head coach for Boston throughout Udoka’s one-year suspension.
The Celtics open the season in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers on October 18th at TD Backyard.
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