NBA legend Matt Barnes admits Ime Udoka ordeal is "100 times uglier than any of us thought"
Boston, Massachusetts - As more information comes out about Celtics' head coach Ime Udoka's inappropriate relationship with a franchise staffer, retired NBA champion Matt Barnes alluded to shocking unearthed details about the situation that led him to retract his support for the athlete.
On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics announced the suspension of head coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season over an alleged affair with a female staffer of the franchise.
Though details of the situation still remain undisclosed, Barnes took to Instagram on Friday to reveal that Udoka's situation is "deep" and "100 times uglier" than what many might believe.
Barnes initially defended the former head coach after the organization slammed Udoka with a one-year suspension for violating team policies.
Now, after getting more information from a close source, the ESPN analyst is taking back his support.
"Last night, without knowing all the facts, I spoke in Ime Udoka's defense," Barnes said in the video. "After finding out the facts, I erased what I posted. This situation in Boston is deep. It's messy. It's 100 times uglier than any of us thought...Some things happened that I can't condone, and I can't back."
Originally, Barnes stated that consensual sexual relationships were common in the NBA among staff members, but now, it is clear now there is more to Udoka's story than what has come out publicly.
While Barnes chose not to reveal the information he recently learned, he expressed his prayers and well wishes for everyone involved.
Udoka's relationship with the unidentified female staffer was originally reported as consensual, but new details indicate the Celtics head coach might've crossed the line with unwanted comments made towards the woman.
Cover photo: GREG DOHERTY / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP