It is reportedly possible that the Boston Celtics could have ended up being helmed by a member of Michigan’s “Fab Five” instead of their current coach Ime Udoka, according to new reporting from Substack’s Marc Stein.
Per Stein, current Michigan Men’s Basketball head coach and member of that famed 1990s recruiting class from the same Juwan Howard was a target of interest to replace Brad Stevens, as the former Celtics coach and current team president sought a replacement to fill the role he vacated after moving to the front office in the 2021 offseason. Stevens reportedly “had strong interest” in Howard last summer according to Stein.
It is certainly possible that the Celtics’ overtures (if there were any behind the scenes) went as well as they did with the Los Angeles Lakers with Howard turning down the job to coach his sons Jace and Jett at his alma mater.
The 15-season vet was the best player on the floor for much of the game, and his teammates took note. https://t.co/JjnKw1ZONp
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 4, 2022
At present, with the team in the 2022 NBA Finals, it would seem a no-brainer as a more attractive gig, but at the point of time in question there was much more uncertainty swirling about the team and neither franchise could of course offer what Michigan does to Howard.
At any rate, given the current state of affairs under Udoka, it doesn’t seem like anyone would currently be lamenting that things broke otherwise for Boston.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
