If there’s one thing that’s been surprising about Ime Udoka’s coaching style, it’s how honest he is about his players. Not with them behind the scenes, but the manner in which he discusses their mistakes in the public eye.
“For whatever reason they were lacking in intensity and focus this morning, and I told them they’re going to get their ass kicked tonight if you come with that focus in the game — and for three quarters we played the same way,” Udoka said after Boston lost to the Wizards back on Oct. 27.
The mere thought of Brad Stevens being that blunt is unfathomable. Of course, that only made Udoka’s approach seem stranger to those who believe coaches can’t have a tougher style in today’s NBA. Not to mention, the Cetlics’ early-season struggles didn’t help his case.
"I think it's a lack of mental toughness to fight through those adverse times. … it's across the board," Udoka said after the Celtics blew a 25-point lead to the Knicks on Jan. 6 and lost 108-105. "It's a turnover here, a bad shot here, a missed defensive assignment here, and several missed rebounds tonight.”
Well, as it turns out, Udoka heard some of the pushback regarding his public criticism of his players. Fresh off his Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award, Udoka addressed that matter before Wednesday’s game against the Hornets.
"It was pointed out to me that challenging the players publicly wasn't welcomed by everybody," Udoka said. "Like I care. The guys love it."
The Celtics head into Wednesday’s game 21-6 since that Jan. 6 loss to the Knicks. Sure seems like Udoka is onto something.