HOUSTON — After the Nets rescinded the controversial hiring of I'm Udoka and instead opted to promote Jacque Vaughn, fans continue to debate whether it was the right decision. .
The Nets lost to the Rockets 112-101, and Brooklyn's fifth straight loss will likely add fuel to the fire. Udoka led the Rockets to a 17-15 record.
Both coaches were together as assistants on Steve Nash's 2020-21 staff in Brooklyn.
Udoka, who helped shape the Nets' defense, took the head coaching job in Boston the following season and swept Nash's Nets out of the playoffs, but he was later fired for sexual misconduct.
Udoka and Vaughan have a long history. Udoka played for San Antonio from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2011.
Vaughn, who also played under Gregg Popovich, started as an assistant with the Spurs in 2010 and will remember their bond going back to that time.
“I've known Ime for a long time. Yes, we have the same San Antonio roots,” Vaughn said. “When I first started coaching, I rented a house in Ime. He was done playing, so I left my family in Kansas and was trying to figure out if I really wanted to make a living doing this.” So I rented his apartment.
“I mean, we've known each other for a long time. He's an incredible person. You see how he coaches the team. They know his attitude, his toughness, the way he plays. I'm really happy for him because he inherited the physicality that he did, and he's doing a great job.”
The Post reported that point guard Ben Simmons is making progress in his recovery from a compressed nerve in his lower back and will be cleared to play 2-on-2 with coaches upon the Nets' return.
Two weeks ago, the team said the update would be coming within 14 days. Vaughn declined to reveal Wednesday, saying it would likely happen once the team returns to Brooklyn.
“Oh, that's when I come back,” Vaughn said. “It's probably best that I get a chance to meet him and give him an update.”
Lonnie Walker IV is close to returning to the court, and the Nets expect him to take his case on Friday against Oklahoma City at Barclays Center.
“Yes, that's right. He was on the court for just under 20 minutes. We have [Thursday] off. But all signs are pointing towards him playing on Friday,” Vaughn said.
Walker (hamstring injury) hasn't played since Nov. 30.
Dennis Smith Jr. was sidelined late Wednesday with a lower back injury.
“Yeah, so he came out at 5:40 and tried to warm up, but I didn't think he was going to make it. So, his back was hurting, so I'll check on him when I get home.” ” Vaughn said. “We always worry when our players don't play. So it changes everything for us and puts more stress on the whole ecosystem. So we always worry when our players don't play.”
All non-guaranteed and partially guaranteed contracts are fully guaranteed on Sunday.
That means unless either Trendon Watford or Harry Giles III are fired by then, their contracts are fully guaranteed.
Three two-way players are in the same situation: Armoni Brooks, Keon Johnson and rookie second-round pick Jalen Wilson.
Johnson is non-guaranteed, but Brooks and Wilson have small guarantees.
