Ime Udoka Leaves Sixers for Big Apple
Former Philadelphia 76ers Assistant Coach Ime Udoka has agreed to terms with the Brooklyn Nets to work under their new Head Coach Steve Nash.
During an offseason that called for lots of front-office and coaching turnovers, the Sixers have been sure to provide just that.
Headlining these changes was the hire of new head coach Doc Rivers who steps in to replace Brett Brown, and also the more recent news of the hiring of former Rockets GM Daryl Morey as the new President of Basketball Operations.
Many assistant coaches were brought in to work under Rivers, but I’m sure the Sixers’ aren’t too happy about losing last year’s assistant coach Ime Udoka to the Brooklyn Nets’ coaching staff.
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After the hiring of Doc Rivers to be the new head coach for the next five years, the Sixers were quick to build a solid surrounding coaching staff for him. Dave Joerger, likely the most notable among the assistant coaches added, has an abundance of experience after being an NBA head coach since 2013 (three years with the Memphis Grizzlies and then three years with the Sacramento Kings).
Following the addition of Joerger, the Sixers also added Dan Burke from the Pacers coaching staff and Sam Cassell from the Clippers, a noteworthy addition because Cassell gained experience coaching under Doc Rivers in Los Angeles.
Many believed the Sixers would bring in multiple new coaches but truly give it their best effort to retain Ime Udoka, their assistant coach from last year who had garnered interest around the league as not only an assistant but even as a head coach as well due to his experience working under many different coaches from around the league, however, Udoka ultimately joined the Brooklyn Nets organization as an assistant head coach and will work under their new head coach Steve Nash.
The Nets likely made it a priority to acquire assistant coaches with a long resume in order to help Nash ease into his role as he has zero prior NBA head coaching experience, and that’s just what they got in Udoka.
It will be interesting to see how the Sixers coaching staff pans out this year relative to how Udoka will fare in Brooklyn.
If the current coaching situation in Philly turns out to be a disappointment, I would not be surprised if Sixers fans begin to blame Elton Brand for this mishap and maybe turn up the knob on his hot seat.
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