Knicks vs. Nets Wednesday NBA odds: Brooklyn names Jacque Vaughn head coach, passes on Ime Udoka
The Brooklyn Nets created a firestorm of criticism when it was reported they were going to hire Boston Celtics suspended coach Ime Udoka – a former Nets assistant – as their new head coach to replace the fired Steve Nash, but that will no longer be the case. The team announced Wednesday that Jacque Vaughn, who had been serving as Brooklyn's head coach on an interim basis, will lead the team moving forward. The Nets are 3.5-point home favorites tonight vs. the rival Knicks.
The Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season "for violations of team policies" after he reportedly had an "improper intimate and consensual relationship" with a female member of the team's staff. The Nets still were going to hire him until owner Joe Tsai received a ton of negative reactions to the news. The Nets are 2-2 under Vaughn and have covered three straight games despite a late loss in Dallas on Monday.
"Jacque's basketball acumen, competitiveness and intimate knowledge of our team and organization make him the clear-cut best person to lead our group moving forward," said General Manager Sean Marks. "He has a proven ability to get the best out of our players, hold them accountable and play a cohesive, team-first style of basketball."
Vaughn, a former star at Kansas who had a 12-year NBA playing career (including with the Nets when they were in New Jersey), also served as the team's head coach for a 10-game stint during the 2019-20 season. He had a 7-3 regular season record and then led the Nets through their first-round playoff series against the Raptors. He also spent two-plus seasons (2012-15) as head coach of the Orlando Magic and had a record of 58-158, but the Magic have been a trainwreck for years.
"JV is a great coach," Joe Harris said following shootaround on Wednesday before the news was announced. "Just trying to simplify the game plan, you know, not trying to convolute anything, making sure everyone is fully aware of what their individual matchup is understanding the personnel. You know, keeping things relatively simple."
Nets guard Kyrie Irving remains suspended. The Knicks will be without starting center Mitchell Robinson again tonight due to a knee injury. He averages 6.5 points, 6.4 rebound and 2.3 blocks per game.
Brooklyn has won seven in a row vs. the Knicks and Kevin Durant has a personal 12-game win streak vs. New York, dating to Christmas Day 2013 with Oklahoma City. Durant is 20-3 against the Knicks in his career (in games he's appeared in). The only player to play the Knicks a minimum of 20 times and post a better record all-time is former Net James Harden (23-3).
What this means for Udoka's future with the Celtics is an open question, but the fact they were willing to let him walk without compensation to a division rival seems to indicate Boston doesn't want him back next season.
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