Al Horford understands frustration could exist contained in the Celtics locker room because the crew processes the reported departure of Ime Udoka to the Nets, however the veteran additionally is aware of his crew can’t let it’s a lingering distraction.
Though not official but as of Friday, Udoka is reportedly set to grow to be the Nets’ subsequent head coach lower than two months after the Celtics handed him a season-long suspension on account of violations of crew insurance policies. That has appeared to create displeasure amongst some Celtics gamers, who stay confused concerning the scenario and nonetheless have love for Udoka after taking part in one season below him and almost successful a championship.
The 36-year-old Horford acknowledges that however pressured on Friday that they will’t get caught up in it.
“That’s something that’s there, it’s a real thing,” Horford stated of frustration over the Udoka scenario, earlier than Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Bulls. “But at the end of the day, we have a job we have to do. We have a season in front of us, we’ve prepared for this, and if that ends up happening for Ime, we’d be happy for him. But at this point, man, we’ve got to look ahead. The games are coming on, things are not going to get easier, and we’ve got a big challenge starting (Friday night) against Chicago. So our group, we’re moving ahead. We have to focus and look ahead.”
Marcus Smart was outspoken in his displeasure earlier this week in an interview with The Boston Globe in Cleveland, saying he believed Udoka would return after he served his suspension whereas expressing confusion concerning the scenario.
“Obviously, we wish he was here,” Smart advised the Globe. “We haven’t any management over that. It undoubtedly sucks. I suppose it was deemed that no matter occurred was sufficient for him to not be the coach right here, however I suppose not sufficient for him (not) to be a coach anyplace else, clearly. …
“His name got slandered and slaughtered and it was, ‘He’ll probably never coach again,’ ” Smart continued. “And a few months later, now he’s presumably going to be the coach of one in all our greatest rivals?
“It’s tough. It makes no sense. But we can’t control that. We have to control what we can, and I love the team here. I love the coaching staff. I love (interim head coach) Joe (Mazzulla).”
When requested on Friday how he’s digesting the Udoka information, although, Horford solely wished to maintain targeted on basketball.
“Obviously we’ll see how that develops,” Horford stated. “Right now, our focus is on our group, continuing to move forward. If that materializes for him, obviously we’ll be happy for him. But at this point, we’ve already moved forward and trying to focus on what we need to and it’s Chicago (Friday night). We lost a tough one in overtime to Cleveland, and now we need to bounce back. That’s what’s on my mind.”
Gallinari ‘very engaged’ with C’s
Danilo Gallinari could also be unlikely to play for the Celtics this season as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered this summer time, however the veteran ahead is staying concerned together with his new crew.
Gallinari lately began capturing for the primary time since surgical procedure and has posted just a few movies on social media as he paperwork the progress in his rehab, together with one on Friday of him doing balancing workouts. When they’re at residence, Horford stated he sees him each day in some capability.
“Gallo’s usually one of the first guys here, if not the first one, and he’s putting in the work,” Horford stated. “It’s just nice to have him around. Sometimes when you go through that kind of process, you tend to kind of get away, but he’s been with us. He’s not traveling, but he’s been with us, he’s been talking to us. At halftime during games at the Garden, he’ll come in and he’ll say some things here and there that he’s feeling. He’s been very engaged.”
Timeout speak
Mazzulla has caught some grief for his timeout utilization as the brand new coach appears to favor letting his crew determine issues out on the fly. But from his perspective, it’s working. The method allowed the Celtics to have two timeouts on the finish of Wednesday’s extra time loss to the Cavs, which they in the end wanted for Jaylen Brown’s buzzer-beating try.
“I thought we managed our timeouts pretty well, which is why we had two left with 10 seconds to go,” Mazzulla stated. “And so I believe the aim is to place your crew ready to be sure to have two timeouts left below 50 seconds in an effort to handle the sport appropriately. The timeouts earlier than that, like I perceive the timeouts, however we’re getting nice seems to be and we’re taking part in good offense the vast majority of the time and we’ve got to proceed to protect at that degree. …
“It’s just a matter of learning the game and learning our team and learning each other.”
Odds & ends
Brown was questionable for Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Bulls with a non-COVID sickness however was dominated properly sufficient to play. …
In mild of the experiences that Udoka is leaving for the Nets, Mazzulla stated he has not had any talks with the Celtics about his future or eradicating the interim tag as head coach. “Still the interim,” he stated. …
Mazzulla stated the plan is for Horford to play Saturday evening in New York in opposition to the Knicks, the second recreation of a back-to-back. Horford sat out the second leg of the Celtics’ first back-to-back of the season on Oct. 22 in opposition to the Magic on account of again stiffness however the veteran has stated he plans to play in them all through the season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com