HOUSTON — After the Nets pulled back from their interest in hiring the controversial Ime Udoka and opted to promote Jacque Vaughn instead, fans have had an ongoing debate over whether it was the right call.
The Nets’ 112-101 loss to the Rockets, Brooklyn’s fifth straight defeat, is likely to throw fuel on the raging fire. Udoka has guided the Rockets to a 17-15 mark.
The coaches were together as assistants on Steve Nash’s 2020-21 staff in Brooklyn.
After being instrumental in molding the Nets’ defense, Udoka left for the Boston head-coaching job the next season, swept Nash’s Nets out of the playoffs, but was then let go for sexual misconduct.
Udoka and Vaughn have a long history. Udoka played in San Antonio from 2007-09, and again in 2010-11.
Vaughn, who also played under Gregg Popovich, started as a Spurs assistant in 2010, and can remember their bond stretching back that far.
“I’ve known Ime a long time. Yeah, we have the same San Antonio roots,” Vaughn said. “I rented Ime’s house at one time when I first got into coaching. He was done playing and I left my family at Kansas and was trying to see do I really want to do this thing for a living, and I rented his apartment.
“So we’ve known each other for that long. Incredible human being. Obviously you see how he coaches his team. They’ve taken on his demeanor, a toughness, a physicality that he played with and really happy for himAnd he’s doing a heck of a job.”
The Post had reported that point guard Ben Simmons has made strides in his recovery from a nerve impingement in his lower back, and will be cleared for two-on-two with coaches upon the Nets’ return home.
Two weeks ago the team had said an update would be forthcoming in 14 days. Vaughn declined to shed any light Wednesday, saying that would come once the team is back in Brooklyn.
“Yeah that’ll be when we get back,” Vaughn said. “That’s probably the best is when we get a chance to see him and give you an update.”
Lonnie Walker IV appears on the verge of his return to the court, with the Nets hopeful of him suiting up Friday at Barclays Center against Oklahoma City.
“Yeah, I am. He had a little 20 minutes on court. We’ll have [Thursday] off. But all signs are pointing towards him playing on Friday,” Vaughn said.
Walker (hamstring strain) hasn’t played since Nov. 30.
Dennis Smith Jr. was a late scratch Wednesday with a stiff back.
“Yeah, so he went out at 5:40, tried to go through a warm-up and just didn’t feel that he could go. So, back soreness and we’ll see what he looks like when we get back home,” Vaughn said. “I’m always concerned when guys don’t play. So it changes everything for us and it puts more stress on the entire ecosystem.And so I am concerned whenever a player doesn’t play.”
All non-guaranteed and partially guaranteed contracts will become fully guaranteed on Sunday.
That means if either Trendon Watford or Harry Giles III aren’t waived by then, their deals will be fully guaranteed.
The three two-way players — Armoni Brooks, Keon Johnson and rookie second-round pick Jalen Wilson — are in the same situation.
Johnson is non-guaranteed, while Brooks and Wilson have small guarantees.
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