NBA Finals
The strategist who made his debut this season and who reached the great definition, has the chance to equal what Steve Kerr achieved seven years ago.
Against all odds, even that of the most die-hard fans of Boston Celticsand in his first experience as a head coach, Ime Udoka took the franchise after 12 years to the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finalswhere he will face Golden State Warriors.
And the beginning was not easy at all. Assistant for years Gregg Popovich in San Antonio Spurswas chosen by his predecessor Brad Stevensnow the team’s athletic president, had a forgettable first half of the season, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference.
But 2022 came and the new year brought fresh air to the Celtics, who under the baton of Udoka reached second place and in Playoffs They had the luxury of eliminating those who took him out of the race in the last three NBA seasons: Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks y Miami Heat.
The select group Udoka could join if Celtics win NBA Finals
With a view to the definition against those from San Francisco, if the Massachusetts squad manages to win and become the team with the most titles in history, the strategist of Nigerian origin would enter a select team that today only makes up five technicians, among them who will be their rival, Steve Kerr.
If Udoka wins the NBA with the Celtics, he will become the sixth debutant coach to win the trophy Larry O’Brien, joining a list that integrates Paul Westhead (1980) y Pat Riley (1982), both with Los Angeles Lakersin addition to Tyronn Lue (2016) con Cleveland Cavaliersy Nick Nurse (2019) in Toronto Raptors.