Toronto Raptors interview two established Spurs assistants
After interviewing three internal head coaching candidates, the Toronto Raptors have now expanded their list by interviewing two San Antonio Spurs assistants.
As of now, the Toronto Raptors still do not have a head coach for the 2018-2019 NBA season. Rather than rushing the process (No Sam Hinkie will not be interviewed) Masai Ujiri has decided to take a deliberate approach and explore all avenues before deciding on a candidate.
In weeks prior, the team had interview internal candidates Jerry Stackhouse, Nick Nurse, and Rex Kalamian. Then late last week, Ujiri and company interviewed two external candidates, San Antonio Spurs Assistants Etorre Messina and Ime Udoka.
How do Messina and Udoka matchup? Let’s take a look at each candidate’s resume.
Ettore Messina
Of the remaining assistant candidates, Messina has arguably the most accomplished resume. While he has only been part of the NBA for four years, he has been coaching internationally since 1989 with Virtus Bologna.
There he found success right away after an Italian Cup championship in his first year. Next, he bounced between Bologna and Italy’s National Team; until 2002, when he became Mike D’antoni’s successor for Benton Treviso.
Over the next seven years he bounced between Russia and Spain having great success at every stop before being hired as a full-time consultant to the Los Angeles Lakers for one year.
More from Raptors Rapture
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram
In 2014 Messina was hired to his current job as a San Antonio Spurs assistant. Since taking the job he has moved up the ranks and by all accounts is Gregg Popovich’s right hand man.
During his time as an assistant Messina has filled as head coach for Popoivich several times. This doesn’t mean much in terms of experience, but instead shows that he had earned Pop’s trust more than anyone else.
Overall Messina has four Euroleague Championships, two Euroleague Coach of the Years, and was voted one of the Euroleague’s 50 Greatest Contributors. With Messina you are not only getting a Popovich assistants, but also an accomplished head coach.
Ime Udoka
One upside Udoka has over Messina and many other potential candidates is NBA playing experience. After going undrafted coming out of Portland State, Udoka grinded in the G-League for five years, with only occasional call-ups (12 in five years), until he received his NBA shot.
In his first full season as an NBA player Udoka started 75 games for his hometown Trailblazers providing consistent defense and leadership. After that he bounced around the league, spending a good amount of time with San Antonio until 2012 when he was forced to retire.
Immediately after retiring Udoka was offered an assistants position with the San Antonio Spurs.
Since that time he has been a key assistant to Gregg Popovich, learning and soaking up knowledge from one of the best basketball minds in the world. Udoka was also an integral part of recruiting former teammate, LaMarcus Aldridge, to San Antonio.
Next: Chances of each Raptor returning next season
Udoka doesn’t have the head coaching experience of Messina, but he does have a great deal of NBA knowledge, as well as, the respect of the players.