Here’s the Boston Herald on the next head coach of the Boston Celtics:
The Celtics will introduce Ime Udoka on Monday as the 18th head coach in franchise history — thus far they’ve had one coach for every title — and perhaps the former Brooklyn assistant’s greatest initial advantage is one of familiarity.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, who were all reportedly consulted on the choice by Brad Stevens, got to know Udoka during the 2019 World Cup, where the 43-year-old coach served on the support staff of his former mentor, Gregg Popovich.
It’s hardly a coincidence that Udoka emerged from his time as a Spur, including twice as a player and then an assistant coach, with a reputation for defensive strategy.
When the Nets confounded the Celtics in this year’s first round by blanketing Tatum with a defensive swarm while also cutting off his passing lanes, Udoka was the architect. Even the Nets’ staunchest supporters reasoned that the star-studded roster was good enough scoring the ball that playing defense would be a minor consideration on the way to the title.
