In the NBA, frequent changes in players and coaches are common, as many seek better opportunities, contracts, or team fits. Kyrie Irving, who has played for four different teams during his 14-year career, understands these shifts well. He recently discussed the impact such movement can have, particularly highlighting the case of Ime Udoka.
Ime Udoka’s Transition from Nets Assistant to Celtics Head Coach
Ime Udoka served as an assistant coach under Steve Nash with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-21 season. After that year, Udoka accepted his first head coaching job with the Boston Celtics. At that time, the Nets, led by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, still harbored championship aspirations but faced a tough challenge when they met Udoka’s Celtics in the playoffs.
Kyrie recalled this situation with some irony, stating,
“We had Ime Udoke literally go to Boston the next year,”
and continued,
“You got coaches leaving other teams, and it wasn’t anybody’s fault. It’s just opportunity. But we’re in the same division. Can you imagine going against the coach that literally saw all of our strengths and weaknesses, and now we’re playing against him?”
—Kyrie Irving, NBA Player
Playoff Series Against Boston Highlighted by Udoka’s Prepared Celtics
During the 2022 playoffs, the Celtics, under Udoka’s leadership, came fully prepared to face the Nets. Kyrie emphasized the intensity of the matchup, saying,
“Ime had them ready, had the Celtics ready, dawg. When we played them in the 2022 playoffs, s*** got wild.”
—Kyrie Irving, NBA Player
Though the Celtics swept the series, the games were competitive, with Boston winning by a combined total of just 18 points. This playoff defeat marked an end to a significant chapter for the Nets, as coach Steve Nash was dismissed early in the following season, and both Kyrie and Durant were traded within months.
Kyrie’s Perspective on James Harden’s Departure from Brooklyn
Kyrie spoke without resentment about the departure of James Harden, who demanded a trade before that playoff season.
“I’m not gonna ever be mad at someone doing what’s best for them. And shout-out to James, I’ve had my conversation with James. I told him, I said, ‘Bro, I understood completely.’”
—Kyrie Irving, NBA Player
Current NBA Landscape and Upcoming Challenges
Today, Kevin Durant and Ime Udoka have reunited as part of the Houston Rockets, who are seen as the second favorite team in the Western Conference behind the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving is recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to miss most of the upcoming season. When he returns, he plans to contribute to the Dallas Mavericks’ efforts to compete against teams led by former colleagues.
With the help of teammates like Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and recent No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg, Kyrie aims to challenge the Rockets’ squad. James Harden is also back in the Western Conference, now playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, where he has reunited with Chris Paul, his former teammate in Houston. The next NBA season promises many engaging storylines as these players face off once again.