Ime Udoka, San Antonio Spurs assistant coach
The former journeyman has fewer than three seasons as an NBA assistant under Popovich, but already has a number of fans around the league who have a ton of admiration for his basketball smarts, manner and personal journey.
Udoka was a fourth-round pick in the NBDL draft, and toiled in obscurity until he got an invite from his hometown Portland Trail Blazers, who were in search of a warm body, and he ended up starting 75 games. Naturally, the Spurs came calling, and he was adopted as family, spending three of the final five seasons of his playing career in San Antonio.
"He exudes a confidence and a comfort in his own skin where people just gravitate to him," Popovich says. "He's a fundamentally sound teacher because he's comfortable with himself, he knows the material and players read it. Often times, I'll say, 'Ime, can you go talk to so-and-so? Go talk to Patty Mills, go talk to Timmy, go talk to Kawhi.' And he'll do it better than I would do it -- and I'm not blowing smoke. The only thing I don't like about him is that he doesn't drink, so I can't enjoy a glass of wine with him. He's really boring at dinner."
Players and coaches who know him describe Udoka as a stoic with an even disposition, more of an inner intensity than a roaring fire. At Spurs U, he's at the finest graduate school in the league
Avery Johnson – 254-186 (.577): The former Coach of the Year could be a candidate for a playoff team looking to go in a different direction. Johnson led the Dallas Mavericks to a Finals appearance in 2006 and was let go two seasons following that run. Johnson wasn’t able to put it together with the Brooklyn Nets and was let go after going just 14-14 in what was his last season in Brooklyn. Since then, Johnson has re-joined ESPN as an analyst and appears set in his current position, but has left the door open to return to a good situation. Johnson has said publicly that his ideal situation would be one with great ownership and a star player, similar to what he had with Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas. The New Orleans Pelicans could be a situation to keep an eye on as Ric Bucher reported that Johnson could be a candidate to join the Pelicans should they fire Monty Williams.
Coach Free Agents
Moderators: KingDavid, heat4life, MettaWorldPanda, Wiltside, IggieCC, BFRESH44, QUIZ
Coach Free Agents
- radikalBaller
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,708
- And1: 8,324
- Joined: Oct 09, 2007
- Location: On the way
-
Re: Coach Free Agents
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 15,143
- And1: 26,724
- Joined: Nov 07, 2014
-
Re: Coach Free Agents
i just wish we could have an offensive minded coach and defensive minded and competent assistants but maybe riley will give up after this disastrous season and fire the spo and co.
Re: Coach Free Agents
-
- Head Coach
- Posts: 6,747
- And1: 4,867
- Joined: Apr 15, 2012
-
Re: Coach Free Agents
Lol, I'd rather stick with Spo than hire Avery, and that says a lot.
The obvious pick to me is Thibodeau.
The obvious pick to me is Thibodeau.
The Bunk wrote:God I hate this fraudulent clown.
I've never wanted to punch someone in the face so badly. Really hoping to run into him at a game one day. I won't hesitate.
Re: Coach Free Agents
- RexBoyWonder
- RealGM
- Posts: 17,906
- And1: 35,776
- Joined: Mar 03, 2011
Re: Coach Free Agents
Slot Machine wrote:Lol, I'd rather stick with Spo than hire Avery, and that says a lot.
The obvious pick to me is Thibodeau.
Wade will never approve of Thibs.
Our vets aren't about that grind life
Chalm Downs wrote:his nickname is boywonder ffs
Re: Coach Free Agents
- radikalBaller
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,708
- And1: 8,324
- Joined: Oct 09, 2007
- Location: On the way
-
Re: Coach Free Agents
Udoka went to Spurs University plus he was a former Player. Looks like a pretty good prospect if You ask me.
Have yet to hear 1 Bad thing about the Guy.
Have yet to hear 1 Bad thing about the Guy.

Re: Coach Free Agents
- Heat_Fan_87
- RealGM
- Posts: 22,876
- And1: 22,412
- Joined: Aug 09, 2012
Re: Coach Free Agents
lol at the thought of pat firing spo
Re: Coach Free Agents
-
- Head Coach
- Posts: 6,747
- And1: 4,867
- Joined: Apr 15, 2012
-
Re: Coach Free Agents
RexBoyWonder wrote:Slot Machine wrote:Lol, I'd rather stick with Spo than hire Avery, and that says a lot.
The obvious pick to me is Thibodeau.
Wade will never approve of Thibs.
Our vets aren't about that grind life
Good thing our organization doesn't let our star players dictate what our front office does.
The Bunk wrote:God I hate this fraudulent clown.
I've never wanted to punch someone in the face so badly. Really hoping to run into him at a game one day. I won't hesitate.
Re: Coach Free Agents
-
- Banned User
- Posts: 2,840
- And1: 692
- Joined: Jun 25, 2014
Re: Coach Free Agents
Slot Machine wrote:RexBoyWonder wrote:Slot Machine wrote:Lol, I'd rather stick with Spo than hire Avery, and that says a lot.
The obvious pick to me is Thibodeau.
Wade will never approve of Thibs.
Our vets aren't about that grind life
Good thing our organization doesn't let our star players dictate what our front office does.

Re: Coach Free Agents
- dancing2thabeet
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,770
- And1: 8,681
- Joined: Apr 20, 2014
- Location: Hasheem Thabeet's Afro
-
Re: Coach Free Agents
ChosunX wrote:Slot Machine wrote:RexBoyWonder wrote:
Wade will never approve of Thibs.
Our vets aren't about that grind life
Good thing our organization doesn't let our star players dictate what our front office does.
We needed a PG and shooting. Don't be silly.
orphicwhip wrote:goodboy wrote:Man I got the flu, still will watch my team play though.
McBob shares the same mentality.
Re: Coach Free Agents
- RexBoyWonder
- RealGM
- Posts: 17,906
- And1: 35,776
- Joined: Mar 03, 2011
Re: Coach Free Agents
Napier was a bust, no denying that at this point.
Only comforting angle is that only a couple of guys drafted after are looking better. Clint Capela, Kyle Anderson, Nikola Jokic, Dwight Powell, Jordan Clarkson.
Well that's more then a couple. He was just a bad pick. SMH
Maroko is joying in his basement.
Always go for BPA, that's my lesson.
Only comforting angle is that only a couple of guys drafted after are looking better. Clint Capela, Kyle Anderson, Nikola Jokic, Dwight Powell, Jordan Clarkson.
Well that's more then a couple. He was just a bad pick. SMH
Maroko is joying in his basement.
Always go for BPA, that's my lesson.
Chalm Downs wrote:his nickname is boywonder ffs
Re: Coach Free Agents
- Heat3
- RealGM
- Posts: 20,398
- And1: 16,173
- Joined: May 26, 2006
- Location: Where all the children are above average.
- Contact:
-
Re: Coach Free Agents
i'd rather keep spo
Pat Riley wrote:There are only two options regarding commitment. You're either IN or you're OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between.
James Johnson wrote:The culture is REAL.
