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Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving said teammate Ben Simmons is ready to handle the pressure-packed environment of playing for a championship contender in New York City.

The seven-time All-Star explained he's confident coach Kevin Boyle, who worked with Irving at The Patrick School in New Jersey and Simmons at Montverde Academy in Florida, has helped them understand what it takes to chase titles.

"He's a big boy, he can handle it. He doesn't shy away from the moment, and I like that," Irving told reporters Monday about Simmons. "I've seen it since he was in high school. We've had a connection playing for the same high school coach with Kevin Boyle. So we know what it's like to be yelled [at], get mother-effed all the time, the championships, being held accountable to the higher level. And that's the best environment to be in."

No team in the Eastern Conference heads toward the new campaign with more questions than the Nets after a drama-filled offseason that included a Kevin Durant trade request and rumors of a potential Irving deal.

In the end, no blockbuster moves were made as Brooklyn kept its core in place, but whether the roster can mesh together to emerge as a top-tier title threat remains a mystery.

The Nets certainly have enough talent to contend, especially if Simmons can quickly regain his form after sitting out the entire 2021-22 campaign.

He didn't play for the Philadelphia 76ers to open last season to focus on his mental health. Simmons then suffered a back injury after his trade to Brooklyn, which required surgery in early May.

Simmons confirmed Monday that he expects to receive clearance to play within the Nets' first few games.

"Physically, I feel great," he said. "That's the goal, that's the plan. ... Ready to go."

Along with splitting ball-handling responsibilities with Irving, he's also projected to provide a major boost to Brooklyn defensively. He was a two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection during his time in Philly.

When you combine the star power of Durant, Irving and Simmons with a complementary group that includes Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Patty Mills, Nic Claxton, Royce O'Neale, T.J. Warren and Cam Thomas, there are obvious reasons for optimism.

"I've put myself in position. I've been working on myself this past year to get back on the floor and play at a high level," Simmons said. "I deserve to take this opportunity to get back on the court, so I'm excited to team up with these guys, these coaches."

The Nets' season, which possesses definite boom-or-bust potential, will tip off Oct. 19 when they host the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Center.

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the entire 2022-23 season after violating team policies, reportedly having an intimate relationship with a female employee of the organization.

On Monday at the team's media day, stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown discussed the situation.

"I guess I feel like everybody else. It's a lot to process," Tatum told reporters. "Unexpected especially coming into the season when you feel a certain way, coming off last year that you're excited and trying to do all these things. It's just a lot, if I'm being honest, and along with everybody else still trying to process it all knowing that we start practice tomorrow."

"It's just a lot. If I'm being honest... you're still trying to process it all knowing we start practice tomorrow."

Jayson Tatum reacts to Ime Udoka suspension pic.twitter.com/0GYY4wKfC7

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) September 26, 2022

He added he didn't have much more insight on the situation than the public.

"You read the statement, you watch the press conference, apparently there are a lot of things they can't speak about," he told reporters. "I’m kind of in the same boat. I don't know. It's hard for me to answer if things were handled in the right way or they weren't. ... I just don't know."

He also said he found out "on Twitter, like everybody else," and hasn't spoken with Udoka in the aftermath of the suspension.

Brown also said he hasn't spoken to Udoka.

"No conversations as far as me on my end," he told reporters. "Initial reactions, we were all shocked what was going on, a little confused, but a lot of the information wasn't being shared with us or members of the team, so you can't really comment on it."

"I wish we had more details," he added. "From what we know, it's hard to make a decision based on whether it's consensual or not in the workplace, which we know has happened before in the workplace. It looks like there is more to it than what meets the eye."

Both Tatum and Brown expressed optimism about the upcoming season under new head coach Joe Mazzulla, however:

Jayson Tatum when asked if the Celtics can get back to the Finals and win a championship this season: “Absolutely I believe that, and I think everybody else in the locker room does as well.”

— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) September 26, 2022

As for Joe Mazzulla, Tatum says the team is comfortable with him. “That’s someone we are familiar with and have a lot of respect for.”

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 26, 2022

Jaylen Brown said the best thing for the team is to move on and focus on what’s ahead. As for Joe Mazzulla, Brown said he’s “optimistic.” He said Mazzulla believes in him, that he believes in Mazzulla and that he doesn’t “see a limit on my game.”

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 26, 2022

The Celtics reached the NBA Finals last season, losing to the Golden State Warriors in six games, and will be one of the favorites yet again in a loaded Eastern Conference.

There's no doubt that training camp will open with a certain level of uncertainty about the upcoming season given the nature of Udoka's suspension, however.

Even though Kevin Durant tried to get Steve Nash fired earlier this offseason, the Brooklyn Nets head coach has seemingly moved on.

"Families go through things like this," Nash told reporters Monday. "You go through adversity. You go through disagreements."

Durant reportedly held a meeting with Nets governor Joe Tsai in August, giving an ultimatum to either trade him or fire both Nash and general manager Sean Marks, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Durant met with the team's management later that month and they decided to move forward together.

The 12-time All-Star told reporters Monday that it was the "uncertainty" that led to his trade requests.

"I'm getting older; I want to be in a place that's stable," he said. "Trying to build a championship culture, so I had some doubts about that."

The Nets have been far from stable over the past few years despite a loaded roster.

Despite entering last year with Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, Brooklyn finished 44-38, good for just seventh in the Eastern Conference. The team was swept out of the first round by the Boston Celtics.

The Nets have won just one playoff series since signing Irving and Durant in 2019, although Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season while recovering from an Achilles injury.

Nash arrived in 2020, but he hasn't been able to get the most out of the roster in his first two seasons. It puts a lot of pressure on the coach heading into 2022-23, especially with Irving and Durant set to return after a wild offseason.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are back with the Brooklyn Nets after a wild offseason for the franchise.

"It was kind of like a clusterf--k," Irving said of the team's offseason at media day Monday.

Irving was the subject of trade rumors early in the summer, with the Los Angeles Lakers often linked, before he picked up his $36.5 million player option for 2022-23. The guard discussed his potential movement:

"Were you close to being gone?" 👀

"Yeah... there were options, but not many" https://t.co/Z2434Ajf3i

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 26, 2022

Durant had also requested a trade in the offseason before eventually agreeing to remain with the team.

Irving missed a majority of last season due to his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. New York City regulations prevented him from competing in the home arena, while the Nets initially didn't let him play in road games before changing their stance midseason.

He appeared in only 29 regular-season games, averaging 27.4 points and 5.8 assists.

As Irving explained Monday, the Nets were prepared to offer him a max extension if he had gotten vaccinated, but he refused.

"I gave up four years, 100-something million to be unvaccinated," Irving told reporters.

He added the "stigma" surrounding his vaccination status limited his interest from other teams this offseason.

The Nets were less willing to guarantee Irving a long-term deal this offseason, with Shams Charania of The Athletic reporting the team was at an "impasse" at one point. Brian Windhorst of ESPN later reported it was not only about his vaccination status, but also about how the guard treated his teammates and coaches.

The 30-year-old also didn't exactly leave the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers on the best terms, clearly making him a risk for any organization despite his obvious talent.

It will put pressure on Irving to prove himself in 2022-23 ahead of free agency next offseason.

Kevin Durant spoke with reporters at the Brooklyn Nets' media day on Monday, offering insight into his trade request and his lack of surprise that he wasn't dealt.

“There was a lot of uncertainty around our team last year… We came to a mutual agreement that we should keep moving forward.”

-Kevin Durant on his offseason with the Nets. #NBAMediaDay https://t.co/dlYEGmeoPP

— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 26, 2022

KD said he wasn't surprised he didn't get traded: "I know I’m that good that you’re just not going to give me away." Said he appreciated that message from Marks and Tsai: "You’re too great for us to give you away. Just that easy that simple. I get that. I know who I am."

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) September 26, 2022

"I committed to this organization for four years last summer, with the idea that we were going to play with that group that we kinda went on that little round to the second round with [in the 2020-21 postseason]. I felt like another year of that, us being healthy, we were building something toward the future. Then as the season went on—you saw what happened last season, guys in and out of the lineup, injuries, just a lot of uncertainty which built some doubt in my mind about the next four years of my career. I'm getting older, I want to be in a place that's stable. Trying to build a championship culture, so I had some doubts about that. And I voiced them to [team governor Joe Tsai]. And we moved forward from there."

Durant added that he liked the offseason moves the Nets and general manager Sean Marks made over the summer, and he feels as though the difficulties of last season may serve as motivation for this year's group.

"A year of us looking in the mirror, like, 'We f--ked up as a team,' and that only makes you better," he told reporters.

Kevin Durant on whether he'll put in another trade request if the Nets struggle...

"I don't feel like I've gotta prove anything to Net fans after 3 years. I'm committed to moving forward with this team. If you've got doubts, that's on you."

— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) September 26, 2022

The Nets faced what felt like a decade's worth of adversity and controversy in the 2021-22 season.

Durant's running mate, Kyrie Irving, wasn't able to play in the large majority of the team's home games in Brooklyn due to New York City's vaccination rules for city employees, and he started the year away from the team altogether. James Harden grew unhappy and forced a trade, eventually moving to the Philadelphia 76ers. The centerpiece of Brooklyn's return for Harden, Ben Simmons, never played for the team because of a back injury. Durant's injury issues limited him to just 55 games.

Kevin Durant says he wanted everybody on the #Nets to hold themselves accountable and be held accountable for their play. Cites losing streak when he got hurt and says "We shouldn't have been losing all those games." #NBA

— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) September 26, 2022

The result was a berth in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, where the Nets advanced and faced the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. They were immediately swept—an embarrassing outcome for a team with Brooklyn's collection of talent.

That led to a summer of uncertainty. Irving was on the trade block before opting in to his player option. Durant made his own trade request. Just three summers after joining forces, it appeared as though the duo may be breaking apart.

Irving acknowledged that it was awkward when KD made his trade request just after he opted into the rest of his contract, but he accepted it. "There was a level of uncertainty in this building."

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) September 26, 2022

Ben Simmons on playing with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving: "We've been playing all week."

How's it look?

"Incredible."

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) September 26, 2022

Instead, they'll give it at least one more go, with Irving's looming free agency next summer still hanging over the season. There is little doubt that the Nets are loaded with talent.

The question is whether they can avoid the level of drama that engulfed the 2021-22 season.

Julius Randle is apparently ready to accept the reactions of the New York Knicks fanbase, whatever they may be.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reported Randle is "ready to accept the fans’ fickleness that ruined his head last season" as he heads into the 2022-23 campaign.

Randle spent much of last season bemoaning fan reaction amid a disappointing campaign, issues that culminated with the 2021 All-Star telling fans to "shut the f--k up."

While apologies were made, Randle's standing as a Knicks cornerstone remains very much in question. Trade rumors have persisted since around February's deadline, though it does not appear the team was willing to sell low on a player it inked to a four-year extension 13 months ago.

The more likely scenario—especially in the aftermath of the Knicks failing to land Donovan Mitchell—is everyone walks into the 2022-23 season in "prove-it" mode. Randle and coach Tom Thibodeau will carry the brightest spotlight, as they're both the most high-profile figures on the team and arguably the most expendable big names.

Thibodeau could be on the hot seat if the Knicks start slow, while trade rumors for Randle will almost certainly perk up again if he doesn't return to All-Star form.

It's fair to point out the Knicks' overachievement in 2020-21 set all parties up for failure, but the NBA is not a business that runs on perceptions of overachievement. If you achieve one level in one season, it's generally expected you match or exceed that level the next. Failure to live up to expectations can turn a media darling into a villain overnight, as Randle learned firsthand last season.

We've seen the New York spotlight cause countless athletes to regress. Randle will hope to avoid that fate for himself once play tips off next month.

Philadelphia 76ers wing Matisse Thybulle doesn't want to leave the City of Brotherly Love anytime soon.

"At this point, I would always want to stay in Philly," he said to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey. "And if it’s up to me, that’s always going to be my choice."

However, Thybulle acknowledged the Sixers ultimately hold most of the cards.

"But considering that I’ve realized the reality of how far out of my control it is, if I do get traded or something does end up happening, I can look at myself in the mirror at the end of the day," he told Pompey.

Pompey reported in June that Philadelphia was angling to land Eric Gordon from the Houston Rockets and discussed Thybulle as part of a possible trade package.

The 6'5" guard was exactly as advertised on defense when the 76ers selected him in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft. Through three years, he's averaging 1.6 steals and 1.0 block per game, and he's twice been named to the NBA All-Defensive second team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKyMBG4p6Qo

However, his offensive limitations are glaring. He's shooting 32.4 percent from beyond the arc to this point, and his inability to space the floor becomes an issue in the postseason.

Thybulle went 4-of-14 on three-pointers during Philadelphia's 2022 postseason run, a spell in which his playing time (15.2 minutes per game) fell dramatically from his regular season usage (25.5 minutes per game).

As much as Thybulle gives the Sixers on defense, the pursuit of Eric Gordon speaks for itself. The team was possibly willing to accept a downgrade on defense in return for a player who knocked down 2.2 threes per game and shot 41.2 percent from the perimeter last season.

76ers head coach Doc Rivers told Pompey he "couldn’t be happier in the way Tisse has attacked the summer."

"He’s been one of our hardest workers," Rivers said. "He’s worked both on the things we needed him to work on the floor, and on his body and strength."

Based on the absence of a trade to this point, it's safe to assume Thybulle will open the 2022-23 season in Philadelphia. If he can show some improvement with his jumper, then it might shut the door on a trade for the foreseeable future, too.

Ime Udoka's status as head coach of the Boston Celtics beyond the 2022-23 season is uncertain, but an NBA agent believes his career in the league as a whole is "done," per NBA insider Ethan Strauss.

The Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season after a lengthy investigation by an independent law firm found that he had violated multiple team policies. The second-year head coach allegedly had an intimate relationship with a female member of Boston's staff.

The Celtics became aware of the relationship in July, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, but the franchise did not get involved until he allegedly made "unwanted comments" to the woman in the relationship.

Udoka apologized in a statement after his suspension was announced:

"I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team's decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment."

With Udoka suspended, Joe Mazzulla will serve as the team's interim head coach in 2022-23, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens confirmed during a press conference on Friday:

"Joe's going to be in charge. It's not an easy timing for him or the rest of the staff. But he's an exceptionally sharp and talented person. I believe strongly in him and his ability to lead people, his ability to galvanize a room and get behind him, and his ability to organize and understand all that comes with running a team during the season."

Mazzulla has served as an assistant for the Celtics since 2019. If Udoka does not return as Boston's head coach in 2023-24, it's unclear if Mazzulla will be considered for the team's vacant head coaching position.

The Celtics hired Udoka as their head coach before the 2021-22 campaign after Stevens was promoted to basketball operations. He led the team to a 51-31 record and an Eastern Conference title in his first season.

New York Knicks president Leon Rose said that head coach Tom Thibodeau isn't under any added pressure as he enters his third season running the team.

"I don’t see it that way at all. The way I say it is we’re continuing with the plan," Rose said to Alan Hahn of MSG Network on a recent half-hour special (h/t Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News).

"We’re not making any excuses for anything that happened last year. I love Thibs’ phrase: We’re going to win or we’re going to learn."

Thibodeau's first season with the Knicks ended with a 41-31 record and the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. It was a tremendous accomplishment for a team that hadn't made the postseason since 2013.

However, the Knicks slid back outside the playoff picture last year when they finished 37-45 and 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Rose was named the Knicks' president in March 2020. He hired Thibodeau, who he used to represent when he worked for Creative Artists Agency as an agent, soon afterward.

Despite a tough season last year, Rose is publicly happy with the team's direction under the former Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach.

"Thibs, two years ago: Coach of the Year," Rose said.

"He’s been twice Coach of the Year in his career. I’m so excited about starting on Tuesday. And one of the reasons I’m so excited is having Thibs lead the group."

The Knicks' big moves this season included extending RJ Barrett, re-signing Mitchell Robinson and adding Jalen Brunson via free agency from the Dallas Mavericks. They will open the season on Oct. 19 versus the Memphis Grizzlies.

Boston Celtics reporter Amanda Pflugrad is speaking up about the "disgusting" coverage of the allegations against Ime Udoka both in the media and by basketball fans on social media.

"As a female of the Celtics organization, watching these last few days unfold has been heartbreaking," Pflugrad wrote on Twitter Friday. "Seeing uninvolved people's names thrown around in the media, including mine, with such carelessness is disgusting. This is a step backwards for women in sports who have worked hard to prove themselves in an industry they deserve to be in."

The second-year head coach was suspended by the Celtics for the entire 2022-23 season after a monthslong investigation by an independent law firm uncovered violations of multiple team policies.

Udoka was reportedly suspended for allegedly engaging in an intimate relationship with a female member of Boston's staff, which is a violation of team policy, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Athletic's Shams Charania added that the Celtics became aware of the relationship in July, but that the team did not get involved until he allegedly made "unwanted comments" to the woman involved.

For obvious reasons, the name of the woman Udoka allegedly had a relationship with has been kept private. However, that has not stopped the media and people on Twitter from trying to uncover her identity.

People have been scouring the internet searching for the identities of female members of Boston's staff, which has led to the names and photos of women within the organization being spread on social media. Pflugrad was one of the women targeted.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens addressed the ill-advised efforts during the team's press conference on Friday morning.

"We have a lot of talented women in our organization, and I thought yesterday was really hard on them," Stevens said. "Nobody can control Twitter speculation and rampant bulls--t, but I do think that we as an organization have a responsibility to make sure we’re there to support them now, because a lot of people were dragged unfairly into that."

Udoka's status with the Celtics beyond the 2022-23 season is unclear as the franchise has not determined his long-term fate.