In one of his recent podcasts, Shaquille O?Neal was asked about the issue surrounding Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. But O’Neal denied commenting about it because he was a “serial cheater.” The ‘Big Diesel’ stated he was not proud about it and that he lost his family because of his actions. He added that Udoka and his family would be going through a lot just like he did. Shaq also said that he missed important years of kids because of what he did.

So the Los Angeles Lakers legend just wished Udoka and his family good luck. Udoka was in a long-term relationship with actress Nia Long and they have a son together. After allegations of Udoka having an affair with a staff member, the Celtics suspended him for one year for breaking organization rules. But many were confused about the long suspension.

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Some felt that the one-year suspension is unwarranted as there was not much information about it. Former NBA champion Matt Barnes is one among them. He took to social media to show his disappointment with the suspension and criticized the Celtics.

Matt Barnes and Shannon Sharpe discuss the response of Shaquille O?Neal

Matt Barnes then went back with his comment. He stated that he commented without knowing the full extent of Udoka’s violation initially. So he took back his initial criticism of the Celtics. Recently, Barnes appeared on the ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast hosted by NFL legend and media personality Shannon Sharpe. During the chat, Sharpe talked about Shaquille O’Neal denying to comment about Udoka because he was a “serial cheater.”

He stated cheating with someone is not the same as what Udoka did while in a position of authority working in an organization. Barnes talked about the reason behind his initial reaction to the suspension. Matt Barnes stated he could not fathom why Udoka would be given a similar punishment as Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury. However, he then realized Udoka’s situation.

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After the suspension, Udoka gave a statement apologizing to his family and the organization. Actress Nia Long made an official statement thanking her friends and family. She asked for privacy while going through something tough like this. Long also stated that she is concentrating on her children.

Recently, there were reports that alleged Udoka might not return to the Celtics after his one-year suspension. The NBA veteran showed lots of promise in his first-ever year as a head coach. Unfortunately for him and the Celtics things took a turn for the worse.

Do you think the Celtics can have a strong season this year without Ime Udoka? Let us know in the comments.