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A16 sports
Wednesday 11 May 2022

Suns' Williams voted NBA Coach of the Year after 64 wins

By DAVID BRANDT The WD WS reference is a
AP Sports Writer motto for the Suns, which
PHOENIX (AP) — Monty Wil- means well done is better
liams now has the honor than well said.
that his Phoenix Suns play- Phoenix won a franchise-
ers have been clamoring record 18 consecutive
that he receive for two games from Oct. 30 to Dec.
years: NBA's Coach of the 2, including a 16-0 record in
Year. November. That was tied
Good luck getting him to for the second-most wins
take credit. in a month without a loss in
"I've often said about my NBA history, trailing Atlan-
life that God knocks the ta's 17-0 record in January
ball out of the park and I 2015.
get to run the bases," Wil- Williams led the Suns to
liams said. "Yeah, my name the NBA Finals last season,
goes on the plaque, but where they lost to the Mil-
my name represents a lot waukee Bucks in six games.
of names." They are currently tied 2-2
The 50-year-old Williams with the Dallas Mavericks
won the award on Monday in the Western Conference
after leading the Suns to semifinals.
a franchise-record 64 wins This is Williams' second head
during the regular season. coaching job in the NBA.
They were NBA's best team He led the New Orleans
by far, finishing with eight Pelicans for five seasons
more wins than any other from 2010 to 2015, making
team. the playoffs twice, but was
Williams joins Cotton fired after being swept in
Fitzsimmons (1988-89) and the first round of the play-
Mike D'Antoni (2004-05) as offs in 2015.
coaches who have won Paul played for Williams
the award with the Suns. during part of his tenure in
The runner-up to New York's New Orleans. The two re-
Tom Thibodeau last season, Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams hands off the ball during a break in the action during united in the desert and
Williams was the runaway the first half of Game 2 in the second round of the NBA Western Conference playoff series against have had considerable
winner this time. He re- the Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix. success.
ceived 81 of 100 first-place Associated Press Both are still searching for
votes from a global panel a title, but have learned to
of 100 sportswriters and nix in 2019 to rebuild a we do, from the X's and O's liams had won the award, enjoy the smaller victories
broadcasters, finishing with franchise that had been to the drills, to even playing even though no official along the way.
458 points. among the worst in the games," Williams said. "I've announcement has been "We all want to win a cham-
Memphis' Taylor Jenkins NBA over the previous de- probably lost out on jobs made. pionship, and yet there are
was second with 17 first- cade and quickly deliv- because people thought Said Booker on Twitter: some things we do along
place votes and 270 points. ered, especially once 12- I was more interested in "Phoenix Suns coach Mon- the way that you can try
Miami's Erik Spoelstra and time All-Star point guard the relationship piece than ty Williams has been vot- to enjoy to the best of your
Boston's Ime Udoka also re- Chris Paul signed with the the competition piece. I ed the NBA's COY, book ability," Williams said. "But
ceived a first-place vote. Suns in 2020. think they both go hand in tells sources. A formal an- you're still focused on how
Williams is known for his Williams said bonding with hand." nouncement is expected you get there.
calming presence on the his players and their families Paul and fellow All-Star later today." It's these opposing deals at
sideline and tight relation- has been rewarding. guard Devin Booker both Paul added: "WD WS… times. You want to enjoy
ships with players. "It's probably more impor- posted on social media Congrats Coach Mont it, but you're pounding the
He was brought to Phoe- tant than everything that earlier Monday that Wil- on Coach of the Year!!" rock."q