CANTON, Mass. (AP) — Boston Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla said he will take his time giving people time to “feel and heal” after predecessor Ime Udoka was suspended for the season for an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization.
“You can’t rush trust. You can’t rush healing. You can’t rush any of that,” he said to a packed room at Celtics media day on Monday, three days after he was elevated to interim head coach. “Regardless of what has happened, we have a great roster and we have a great opportunity. That’s what I have to focus on.”
Udoka was suspended Thursday for what two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press was an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the details of his behavior were not publicly released.
Mazzulla, 34, had been a Celtics assistant for two seasons. His only head coaching experience was at Division II Fairmont State.
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics pose for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Luke Kornet #40 of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics addresses the media during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Interim head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics answers questions during an interview during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics addresses the media during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics walks between sets during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CANTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics poses for photos during Boston Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 26, 2022 in Canton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
Jason Fitz is joined by Yahoo Sports Senior NFL Reporters Charles Robinson & Jori Epstein to pull back the curtain on the latest news from around the NFL. The trio start off with a report that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told Arthur Blank not to hire Bill Belichick, as they dive into how the relationship between Belichick and Kraft fractured over time and what it means for Belichick's future. In other news, Justin Jefferson was absent from voluntary workouts, sparking a conversation as to what it would take to acquire possibly the best young wide receiver in the league.
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