Woj: Suns Dismiss HC Monty Williams

[Kernewek]

Cory Alexander reporting on ESPN that Durant went to Phoenix in part to play for Monty Williams.

He went to PHX because he figured it was his best shot to piggyback onto another deep playoff run. I’m sure Monty Williams was, at best, a distant fourth or fifth concern.

[tonydelk]

So many good coaches available.  Makes me wish they didn't sign Joe long term

[cman88]

is it me, or are teams getting rid of coaches way too soon in the NBA? the amount of good coaches, and guys who have won championships getting jettisoned is crazy. At the end of the day its up to the players to perform. Ayton/CP3 were injured and they had no depth.

[gouki88]

Hopefully neither he nor Nurse go to Philly or Milwaukee

[Moranis]

New owner and Monty apparently didn't get along very well.  Couple that with an absolutely embarrassing loss in an elimination game, an inability to utilize your 3rd best player, and it is pretty easy to have seen this one coming.

[Kernewek]

is it me, or are teams getting rid of coaches way too soon in the NBA? the amount of good coaches, and guys who have won championships getting jettisoned is crazy. At the end of the day its up to the players to perform. Ayton/CP3 were injured and they had no depth.

Coaches get too much praise when teams win and too much blame when teams lose - plus they're easier to adjust than your roster.

[Roy H.]

New owner and Monty apparently didn't get along very well.  Couple that with an absolutely embarrassing loss in an elimination game, an inability to utilize your 3rd best player, and it is pretty easy to have seen this one coming.

Time will tell if Ayton's failures are due to coaching, or due to his own deficiencies.  I lean toward him just not being mentally strong.

I'd prefer Timelord -- injuries and all -- over Ayton.

[Moranis]

New owner and Monty apparently didn't get along very well.  Couple that with an absolutely embarrassing loss in an elimination game, an inability to utilize your 3rd best player, and it is pretty easy to have seen this one coming.

Time will tell if Ayton's failures are due to coaching, or due to his own deficiencies.  I lean toward him just not being mentally strong.

I'd prefer Timelord -- injuries and all -- over Ayton.

could be player driven, but he has not only not gotten better he has regressed every year in the system.  He was instrumental in the bubble run they had and has been non-existent since.  They also clearly don't get along given all of the in fighting. I think a new coach should get more out of Ayton and the Suns clearly need Ayton to be successful.

[wdleehi]

New owner and Monty apparently didn't get along very well.  Couple that with an absolutely embarrassing loss in an elimination game, an inability to utilize your 3rd best player, and it is pretty easy to have seen this one coming.

Time will tell if Ayton's failures are due to coaching, or due to his own deficiencies.  I lean toward him just not being mentally strong.

I'd prefer Timelord -- injuries and all -- over Ayton.

Probably but the team has to try and get Ayton back out there.   It wasn't working with this coach.   


The question is what coach is out their can both get Ayton involved and keep the older vets satisfied that they have a title chance.

[Moranis]

New owner and Monty apparently didn't get along very well.  Couple that with an absolutely embarrassing loss in an elimination game, an inability to utilize your 3rd best player, and it is pretty easy to have seen this one coming.

Time will tell if Ayton's failures are due to coaching, or due to his own deficiencies.  I lean toward him just not being mentally strong.

I'd prefer Timelord -- injuries and all -- over Ayton.

Probably but the team has to try and get Ayton back out there.   It wasn't working with this coach.   


The question is what coach is out their can both get Ayton involved and keep the older vets satisfied that they have a title chance.

Bud makes some sense there.  As strange as it sounds I also think Mark Jackson might work there

[Donoghus]

I'm all for anything that gets Mark Jackson off ESPN/ABC telecasts.

[keevsnick]

Sort of on this topic:There has truly never been LESS coaching security than there is now.

I think its a combination of parity and player empowerment. Parity means a bunch of teams think they have a shot, so more teams are going all in and are disappointed when they lose. Meanwhile player empowerment means teams get nervous when they come up short and the easiest thing to change on a team is the coach.

[RJ87]

New owner and Monty apparently didn't get along very well.  Couple that with an absolutely embarrassing loss in an elimination game, an inability to utilize your 3rd best player, and it is pretty easy to have seen this one coming.

Time will tell if Ayton's failures are due to coaching, or due to his own deficiencies.  I lean toward him just not being mentally strong.

I'd prefer Timelord -- injuries and all -- over Ayton.

I also lean towards it being Ayton. He's the same player he was when he was drafted, he's added nothing to his game. Then, there's the lack of effort:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5NSfLvGFDw

[Vermont Green]

I don’t see how PHO ends up with a better coach than Williams. The core of this team is really good. Booker, Durant, even Ayton. Chris Paul too. They Should be able to attract a few vets to add depth. I don’t understand how they thought firing the coach was a good idea.

[Phantom255x]

Not official yet, but it sounds like the Pistons will hire Monty soon with a "significant offer" according to Shams. That'll be interesting. DET has a ton of young talent, and another high pick coming up, plus cap space. That could be a fun team going forward with a solid HC.