It feels like we’re barely scratching the surface of the Ime Udoka story. But the Boston Celtics do need to move forward, because they have a basketball season coming up. So they’ve been out there looking for experienced assistants to support interim head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Well, one of those potential additions can be crossed off your imaginary lists. According to Chris Mannix, Clippers assistant coach Jay Larranaga will not be rejoining the Celtics. The Clippers had previously given the C’s permission to speak to Larranaga but, per Mannix, he prefers to stay in L.A., where he’s an assistant under Ty Lue.
That last part should get the hot takes firing. He hates the Celtics!!! But who knows. Maybe he doesn’t want to move back across the country to make a lateral move for a team that’s desperate for a veteran coach to come help. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Celtics suck, either. Larranaga was an assistant for the Celtics from 2012-21, so he knows how good they are.
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The C’s should be a top contender in the Eastern Conference, regardless. Mazzulla may be only 34 years old with no head coaching experience, but he is liked and respected by Jayson Tatum and the Celtics’ roster. There will certainly be times when Mazzulla’s inexperience shows up against a savvy opponent, but the team’s overall success is, was, and will be determined by how far Tatum and Jaylen Brown want to take them.
That being said, the Celtics clearly wouldn’t mind having a seasoned assistant on the bench. They’ve also been linked to Frank Vogel, who was last with the Lakers and is currently without an NBA coaching job. If he’s interested in a “next man up” sort of gig behind Mazzulla, adding Vogel would make a lot of sense.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on everything surrounding the Celtics ahead of the 2022-23 season. Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage here at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.
