Woj: Spurs assistant Ime Udoka has agreed to become Brett Brown’s lead assistant with the 76ers

[xellos88330]

Shame. It was great playing tennis with Ime every now and then.

[K...]

I'd like another former player brought in. maybe pondexter or Dante were brought in as an internship.

[picnroll]

I'd like another former player brought in. maybe pondexter or Dante were brought in as an internship.

Doubt he’ll ever take the job but I’d like to see Manu get involved in Spurs coaching. Many times during time outs when coaches would form a conclave away from the players Manu would take over talking to the other players at the bench.

[exstatic]

why the can’t we keep talent at any level? what is WRONG with the spurs

Unlike that selfish prick, Phil Jackson, Pop wants his folks to move up, to advance. That’s why the Tree of Pop keeps growing. Guys can also return “home”. Ferry did after that Atlanta debacle, and Monty Williams did when his wife died.

[DesignatedT]

Was kinda hoping for Ime to take over for Pop. Thats a bummer. However, when Pop does retire and the Spurs look for a replacement, the new guy will probably bring in his own staff.

[Dverde]

Was kinda hoping for Ime to take over for Pop. Thats a bummer. However, when Pop does retire and the Spurs look for a replacement, the new guy will probably bring in his own staff.

I am also bummed. He could always come back as HC when Poop retires. Brett Brown can help him perfect the “stressed AF” look.

[John B]

What's funny though is that Brett Brown is also close to being fired. Kind of risky to go there, high risk, high reward

Tbh if they can’t compete with all that talent. If Kawhi stays and Greek Freak continues his MVP plays, it’s tough. I guess Ime would be the difference maker to whip this team to a championship caliber.

[John B]

Unlike that selfish prick, Phil Jackson, Pop wants his folks to move up, to advance. That’s why the Tree of Pop keeps growing. Guys can also return “home”. Ferry did after that Atlanta debacle, and Monty Williams did when his wife died.

100% agree. 2nd big difference is Pop is the talent, Jackson just takes credit. The guy is a version of Forrest Gump

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

I really like Udoka but this isn’t the end of the world.

[Truth4sale$]

There is alot of young and upcoming talented coaches available or waiting to get an opportunity. The Spurs will be fine. It would be good to bring in another former NBA player or soon to be former player for a different perspective/relatability. Maybe Andre "The professor" Miller might be interested, I always thought he seemed like a coach when he played.

[monty4329]

I am happy for him

To those of you clowns hating on messina, you know nothing about basketball. I actually know a coach that attended a training camp with him in Las Vegas last summer, and he literally told me that guy is too smart to be a head coach. But, if you look closer, messina has been a head coach for longer than Pop has! Yes, you heard it right, more than Pop! European coaches do not get the credit they deserve in today's NBA.

Wait for when a black female european coach comes over, she'll get an HC position the first year...

[monty4329]

Yep. He and LMA are tight by all accounts.

Hey your last girlfriend might be the best so far.

[monty4329]

Doubt he’ll ever take the job but I’d like to see Manu get involved in Spurs coaching. Many times during time outs when coaches would form a conclave away from the players Manu would take over talking to the other players at the bench.

He already said it is too much work, preferes enjoying life

[SwansonInSibagat]

Wow, could the Spurs be any more of a sinking ship? Decade-long defensive AC accepts a lateral promotion on a contender in the tougher conference? What does that say about the Spurs' prospects? This happens a year after all of Pop's ACs interview for head coaching berths in the east: Messina for Toronto, Udoka and Borrego for Charlotte, and Hammon as an AC for Orlando a year before that. These past two years must've been the worst stretch of talent hemorrhage in franchise history.

It's not a lateral promotion. He wasn't the lead assistant with the Spurs. He's stepping up. Good for him.

[exstatic]

It's not a lateral promotion. He wasn't the lead assistant with the Spurs. He's stepping up. Good for him.

The trolls are out in force, trying to spin this as something bad.

[Larry O]

Yep. He and LMA are tight by all accounts.

Hey Bill, it's interesting that you said that. But more importantly, how will this affect LMA going forward? With Udoka no longer on the bench, how this will affect his at ude and behavior, as well moving forward on his future with this team. Of coarse, Ime was instrumental in getting LMA to SA, & this may put into question: Did Udoka save the Spurs from going into the Dark Ages or.... Wonder if PATFO had a "Plan B" if they didn't land LMA? Wishing nothing but the best for Ime has he goes forward. Time for him to leave the nest to soar to new heights now. And I'm sure that the Spurs & the coaching staff will be fine. Pop will fill the position with another good prospect or just add to his tree, someone looking to get into a coaching role. GSG!!!

[8FOR!3]

Maybe Will Hardy replaces Pop eventually?

[FkLA]

lol at posters claiming people are jumping ship or that the Spurs can't retain anyone

Spurs personnel will always be highly sought after. It's been going on for over a decade now. That's what happens when you are the best run organization in sports.

[phxspurfan]

Why move from an assistant role to another assistant role? Was he just unhappy here?

Lead assistant on a better team in a better market

[BD24]

Typical ST, we lose an assistant coach and everybody pretends it’s the ducking apocalypse

[Chomag]

Everyone getting off this sinking ship before it sinks to the bottom lol

[K...]

It's funny if anything, we've been too steady since bud and Brett left.

Here's the 2014 Spurs coaches:

Ettore Messina Assistant Coach
Jim Boylen Assistant Coach
Ime Udoka Assistant Coach
Chip Engelland Assistant Coach
Chad Forcier Assistant Coach
Becky Hammon Assistant Coach
Will Sevening Trainer


Nobody cares about boylen, everyone moved up when he left, so the coach pool has been the same for 5 years. Ime has 6 years here. NBA coaches don't usually last that long!

[Chinook]

Was kinda hoping for Ime to take over for Pop. Thats a bummer. However, when Pop does retire and the Spurs look for a replacement, the new guy will probably bring in his own staff.

Udoka can just come back if that happens.

[Dennis the Menace]

Everyone getting off this sinking ship before it sinks to the bottom lol

There’s no Tim Duncan to mask the flaws and carry the weight...

[Ocotillo]

Would like to get Forcier back.