With NBA clearance, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta comfortable with hiring Ime Udoka
HOUSTON — As part of the introductory press conference for new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, questions had to be asked regarding the workplace scandal that cost him his previous job in Boston.
Though details were vague, Udoka took responsibility and said he had learned from the incident, adding that he used his season away from the NBA to work on personal growth and improvement.
“I take responsibility for my part in it,” Udoka said. “I took leadership and sensitivity training, and some counseling with my son to help him improve the situation I put him in.”
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, who was part of the press conference, said he had spoken with the league office about the incident and felt confident that Udoka’s situation with the Celtics should not prevent him from returning to the NBA with another team.
“The NBA told me that they felt very comfortable with Ime becoming the coach of the Houston Rockets,” Fertitta said. “So that made me feel really good after a lengthy, lengthy conversation with him.”
To ensure female perspectives were represented in the decision, Fertitta said he spoke with Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations, as well as Paige Fertitta, his ex-wife. Both were supportive and in attendance for Udoka’s press conference at Toyota Center.
“I discussed it with the president of our organization, who is a woman, and she was very comfortable,” he said. “We’re a forgiving world and anybody that isn’t forgiving, then shame on them.”
