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Sean Marks, general manager of the Brooklyn Nets. Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Nets fans, media blast team over head coaching decision

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/1/22

Brooklyn Nets fans made their feelings known when it was reported that the team was close to hiring Ime Udoka as its next head coach. For an organization already dealing with a face of the franchise promoting anti-Semitic content, the latest unforced error is a bridge too far.

Suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka has emerged as the likely next Brooklyn Nets head coach and his hiring could be finalized as soon as the next 24-to-48 hours, sources tell ESPN. Celtics will let him leave for another job.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 1, 2022

Brooklyn (2-5, 12th in Eastern Conference) made the announcement hours after the team and former head coach Steve Nash mutually parted ways.

The reaction to the news was sharp, with most denouncing the Nets for considering hiring Udoka after he was suspended in late September by the Boston Celtics for an inappropriate consensual relationship with a subordinate.

Zach Lowe went on ESPN's "NBA Today" and was vocal about his frustrations.

"DO SOMETHING!"

Zach Lowe speaking for all Nets fans with this rant on NBA Today #NBATwitter #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/lPLfcdNhZ4
— ’ (@_Talkin_NBA) November 1, 2022

"They fire Steve Nash and without any explanation hire the coach that the Celtics just suspended for what they deemed an inappropriate consensual relationship, which either means one of two things... they didn't vet Udoka at all, or ... they've been vetting him this entire time... I'm so tired of it."

His words were echoed by fans and reporters.

Now, that i've updated our story on the Nash to Udoka move, I gotta say I am personally disgusted with the WHOLE situation and like a lot of fans I've spoken to this morning, I believe It is going to take a long time for us to feel comfortable with this franchise. If ever.
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) November 1, 2022

The Nets hiring Ime Udoka, at this moment in time, on its own would be incredibly disappointing, cynical and a mistake. In light of the Kyrie situation… just a giant blowtorch to values and connecting with your fan base. What are you trying to accomplish as an organization?
— Ben Couch (@viewfromcouch) November 1, 2022

This is so wildly disappointing @BrooklynNets. When are we going to start taking the task of creating safe and healthy work environments for women in professional sports organizations seriously? https://t.co/iqT99CWbUE
— Mallory Edens (@MedensEdens) November 1, 2022

What in the world are you doing, Brooklyn Nets?
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 1, 2022

A franchise defending a player more interested in sharing anti-Semitic views than winning games is already bad enough. A franchise doing that and hiring a coach with character concerns is impossible to rationalize.

The Nets are in a difficult position, one which ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggests is of their own making. Before news of Nash's firing, Windhorst was a guest on ESPN's "First Take" and was asked about the Irving situation and what, if anything, the Nets would do.

.@WindhorstESPN weighs in on what the Nets should do about Kyrie Irving: pic.twitter.com/xvKbBkiAba
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 1, 2022

"They're not going to do anything. They haven't done anything for years. They let him do whatever he wants. It's been the case forever... They've never punished him for anything. How can they start now?"

No one should feel sorry for the Nets making one bad decision after another.

It's their fans that deserve better.

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