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Summary
- Houston Rockets have hired Ime Ukoka to be their new head coach
- Ukoka was sacked by the Boston Celtics for controversial behaviour
- Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta wants fans to forgive and accept Ukoka
There were a few NBA teams such as the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors who were keen to secure the services of ex-Boston Celtics head coach Ime Ukoka.
The Rockets announced on April 26 that they had signed Ukoka as their new head coach.
Rockets Owner Wants Fans To Be Forgiving
The Celtics parted ways with Ime Ukoka after reports surfaced that he had breached multiple codes of conduct. While no official explanation was given or confirmation as to what NBA codes of conduct was violated, rumours claimed that Ukoka had an affair with one of the Celtics staff that he had help to hire.
The Rockets launched an investigation into the matter and Ukoka took a break from the NBA but continued to be on the radar of multiple NBA teams.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said that the Rockets had carried out their own research into Ime Ukoka and were happy to take a chance and appoint him as their new head coach.
Fertitta told fans of the Houston Rockets to be forgiving of Ukoka’s past and not hold a grudge as it would not be a Christian thing to do! Fertitta also said that he had discussions with the NBA and got approval from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to proceed with hiring Ukoka.
Ukoka Ready To Start A New Chapter With The Rockets
Ukoka faced the media for the first time as the new head coach of the Houston Rockets and said that he had done a lot of counselling and personal therapy to put the incident behind him and become a better person.
In a statement Ukoka said
I served a suspension and I had to own it, honestly. So, same thing I’ll preach to the guys. I can’t sit here and not take accountability to myself. So it was their right to go about it however they wanted to. And that’s the choice they took.
Ukoka spent just one season with the Boston Celtics but took them to the NBA finals. The 45 year old said he was looking forward to his new role as head coach with the Houston Rockets! Will Ukoka and the Rockets be a marriage in heaven or hell, get the latest odds on the Rocket making the playoff next season.
