The Force Behind The Celtics: How Ime Udoka Became The ‘Can Man’
The Lead
Audible
3.7 • 2.1K Ratings
🗓️ 29 April 2022
⏱️ 24 minutes
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Summary
During a dominant first-round sweep over the Brooklyn Nets, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics started to look like a legitimate threat to win the NBA title. Today, The Athletic’s Jason Quick tells us how the Celtics — and first-year head coach Ime Udoka — found their way after a rocky start, with the help of two of Udoka’s longtime friends, and some swagger borrowed from a professional boxer. Plus, what to expect when the Celtics meet Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Read Jason Quick’s full story about Ime Udoka and the Celtics: https://theathletic.com/3230403/2022/04/11/how-ime-udoka-became-the-can-man-behind-the-scenes-of-how-a-portland-connection-reshaped-the-celtics/?source=theleadpodcast
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, prime members, you can listen to the lead, add free on Amazon Music. Download the app today. |
| 0:09.0 | Drilla Words is back for another season exclusively on Amazon Music. |
| 0:14.0 | We asked people to bring in three words of meaning and significance to their lives. |
| 0:19.0 | We used that as a springboard for conversation. |
| 0:21.0 | And then at the end of the show, we asked them for a word that they'd be happy never to hear again. |
| 0:26.0 | So that's three little words we've made, John Bishop and Tony Pitts. |
| 0:30.0 | Listen to it every Friday exclusively on Amazon Music. |
| 0:41.0 | During a dominant first round sweep over the Brooklyn Nets, |
| 0:44.0 | Jason Tatum and the Boston Celtics started to look like a legitimate threat to win the NBA title. |
| 0:49.0 | Next up is Mark Fakes inside Tatum's beat for the first time in a year. |
| 0:56.0 | Today, the athletics Jason Quick tells us how the Celtics in first year head coach, |
| 1:03.0 | Eme Udoka, found their way after a rocky start. |
| 1:06.0 | But the help of two Udoka's longtime friends and some swagger borrowed from a professional boxer. |
| 1:12.0 | From one to me, I'm Matt Straup. It's Friday, April 29th, and this is The Lead. |
| 1:27.0 | Jason Quick, welcome back to The Lead. How you doing, Matt? |
| 1:30.0 | I'm good. You know, I was thinking about this normally when we have you on this show. |
| 1:33.0 | It's to talk about the team you cover for the athletic, the Portland Trailblazers. |
| 1:36.0 | But this is the first time in nine seasons, as you may know, they're not in the playoffs. |
| 1:40.0 | So is it a little surreal to be sitting here in April, talking about a different team, the Celtics? |
| 1:45.0 | It is a little different, but I've had time to adjust because the Blazers were bad for so long. |
| 1:50.0 | That gave me time to kind of start thinking about other things and transitioning to some other storylines. |
| 1:57.0 | Well, this is a fascinating one I thought. |
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