Opinion from Bright Side of the Sun: What is coach Monty Williams’s record for this season?
Over the 2020–2022 calendar year, Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams has ignited one of the greatest runs in the team’s history.
However, Phoenix is currently experiencing a terrible run in which it has lost nine games in a row and fifteen of twenty games after a 15-6 start, despite his prior success. All seven of the top rotation players have had injuries or absences at different points in time, contributing to the decline. Williams hasn’t had to play for a squad like that since he came in 2019; the one playing against the Cavaliers on Sunday night resembled the Suns from 2018.
In a season where the Suns are still seeking to make the most of a championship window with superstar guard Devin Booker approaching his prime and starting point guard Chris Paul, who turns 38 in May, it has not been what they had hoped for. With Booker sidelined into January due to a groin ailment, Phoenix can yet turn things around if it can take advantage of the impending trade deadline and find methods to manufacture success, especially through better performance from starting center Deandre Ayton or forward Mikal Bridges.
The Bright Side of the Sun crew conducted a poll to assess Williams’ performance in his fourth season with the team, amidst the Suns’ current losing streak.
Trevor Booth: One of the best team-oriented basketball coaches in the league, Williams picked up a lot of fundamentals as a player for the San Antonio Spurs under coach Gregg Popovich. He also learned defensive strategies from former Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan, current Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan, and Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers. The Suns have profited from all of those experiences with a Finals berth and their finest regular season in team history.
But rather than focusing on the team as a whole, Williams’ approach has a history of maximizing his guards, Paul and Booker. In Phoenix’s scheme, Bridges has thrived as a cutter and catch-and-shoot player, much as Ayton has with the pick-and-roll. Williams has stated that his methodology is intended for athletes to extend it, but neither has succeeded in doing so, particularly now that Booker is not there.
Williams has demonstrated that he is the Suns’ coach. James Jones, the general manager, hasn’t exactly done anything to aid him, and it’s likely that there is still some tension between Williams and Ayton. To help Williams this season, Phoenix will need to make some personnel adjustments.
