Boston Celtics: 3 biggest challenges facing Ime Udoka as new head coach

Inject a new wave of energy in the Boston Celtics locker room

The Boston Celtics simply didn’t seem motivated in 2020-21.

In losing many games to subpar teams during their disappointing season, it was apparent the team lacked that energy on both sides of the court to start games.  Nothing changed as far as the coaching philosophy of Brad Stevens, yet the players just didn’t seem to buy in.

Was that due to the team’s recent success and the belief that they were just good enough to step on the court and win games?

To a degree, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were able to carry the team, but veteran newcomers like Tristan Thompson and Evan Fournier never really meshed and there was an obviously decline in the defensive tenacity of Marcus Smart.

As is usually the case when this team underachieves, there was some rumored tension in the locker room.  A tension and decline in effort that Stevens just couldn’t solve or resolve.  So, now the team is looking at Udoka to inject a new wave of energy that will start with a different coaching strategy.

"“The first thing I would say is a hands-on approach with the coaching staff, building the relationships, the relatability and then getting out there and griding with the guys,” Udoka said during his introduction, as transcribed by NESN.  “I’m looking for energy, juice in the building, a great environment to produce winning. That’s what I’m looking for in my staff ? a little bit of mix. I don’t feel like I have to have a veteran staff as opposed to an energetic staff, so I’m looking in both areas. Like I said, a ton of great candidates, and we’re nailing that down as we speak.”"

Udoka should have a head start on that from his experience coaching Tatum, Brown and Smart during their time playing for USA Basketball, recently Tatum with Team USA who took home gold at the Tokyo Olympics.