It’s been quite a week for the Brooklyn Nets.
Of course, that phrase has been said again and again about this team over the last year but it’s undeniable that the latest controversy around Kyrie Irving has been one of the biggest NBA firestorms in ages.
Irving is now currently suspended by the Nets after his promotion of an antisemitic book and film.
The entire ordeal around Irving gave the Nets a lot of bad press – again.
It put them in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
League sources say there have been some "strong voices" urging Joe Tsai to back off the Nets' intent to hire suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka as Steve Nash's successor given the considerable turmoil Brooklyn has already faced this season.
More to come: https://t.co/LGN9cVpMwn
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 7, 2022
The Irving news came just days after it was revealed that the team’s front office was planning to hire suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka to take over for Steve Nash.
But that might not be happening now.
Marc Stein is reporting that “strong voices” have been urging Nets owner Joe Tsai to back off and decide against hiring Udoka.
They are pleading with him to change his mind because of the “considerable turmoil Brooklyn has already faced this season.”
Based on what we have seen from Tsai, he seems fed up – so he might change his mind.
The Challenges For Tsai
Tsai has had a rough year.
He has had to deal with the James Harden situation last season, the painful playoffs loss, the Kevin Durant drama in the summer, the firing of Steve Nash, and Irving’s repeated situations.
The man must be exhausted.
The team needs two things: some good headlines and more wins.
Not hiring Udoka might give them the former but it could sacrifice the latter.
But with so many great coaching candidates ready to be hired, perhaps passing on Udoka is worth it to Tsai at this point.
NEXT: What Could Be Next For Steve Nash?