Stephen A. Smith cannot fathom why the Boston Celtics have not FIRED Ime Udoka

Stephen A. Smith has criticized the Boston Celtics’ handling of Ime Udoka, saying the team should not have leaked details of his one-year suspension if they wanted to keep him on board.

Udoka was officially banned from the team on Thursday for a violation of team policies after he allegedly had a consensual relationship with a female staffer.

And while reports of Udoka’s actions and possible suspension began to trickle in on Wednesday, Smith believes the woman involved should also be named and that Udoka should not be retained as coach under these circumstances.

“Incredibly disappointed today,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take Friday. ‘Ime Udoka is indefensible. His actions were blatant, irresponsible to be in the leadership position he is in. I’m not here to apologize or apologize for his behavior. It’s unforgivable, it’s a firing offense as far as I’m concerned.

“But it doesn’t change what the Celtics are doing here. According to your reports [ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski], and what we’ve been talking about for the past few days, this was a consensual relationship. Was Ime Udoka busy with himself? The answer to that is no. Two consenting adults were involved in this act, or actions that clearly violated Boston Celtics policy.

“But all we hear about is Ime, and to… [owner] Wyc Grousbeck who I respect deeply, I would strongly advise him, maybe he should talk to a publicist or take some lessons himself. Because he dropped a few bombs here on Ime Udoka.

Smith went on to say that suspending Udoka — especially since the Celtics said they would make a decision about the coach’s future “at a later date” — would “ruin his career for years to come,” and he continued. the Celtics criticize not keeping the information in-house, or at least trying to.

“At this particular moment… Ime Udoka is a non-hire person. But the non-rentable part, I’d argue, is mainly due to the story being leaked and we’re now discussing it publicly.

‘The woman who chose to have a consensual relationship with him is not in violation’ [of team policy]? He is mentioned and put on Front Street – we don’t know who she is.

Ime Udoka has been banned for the entire 2022-23 season and there is no guarantee he will come back

“What about the other women in the Celtics organization who have been victimized because of wrong assumptions? [about] their involvement? Knowing exactly who it was would take the worry out of all the other women who’ve seen their names parade down the street. What’s with them?

According to the athleticSome members of the Celtics learned about Udoka’s relationship in July, and team leaders were initially led to believe the relationship was consensual.

However, sources told the publication that the woman recently accused Udoka of making unwanted comments towards her, which prompted him to start internal interviews.

Speaking to the media on Friday, team chairman Brad Stevens and Grousbeck strongly reprimanded the now-suspended Udoka, noting that only he was “punished or reprimanded.”

Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck came down strong on his suspended head coach

According to Grousbeck, the players of the organization are “very concerned” about the situation.

“We think our culture is very strong,” he added. ‘We are very proud of it. But this shook it up. I don’t think there’s a wider problem than what we’ve uncovered a few months ago.’

Smith disagreed with the way Grousbeck handled the situation and made so much clear about First Take.

“I’m not going to repeat what was said, but it was very, very alarming, very one-sided, and as far as I’m concerned, based on this press conference, there’s no reason at this point why Ime Udoka is still the head coach of the Boston Celtics.” “Albeit suspended,” he said.

Joe Mazulla, a 34-year-old who served as a Celtics assistant last year, will become the interim coach for the 2022-23 season.