Monty Williams, Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns, was named Coach of the Year 2020/21 by the National Basketball Coaches Association. The coaches association announced on Tuesday. Williams led the Suns to the second best record in the league in his second year in Phoenix.
“I have the greatest respect and admiration for the coaches in this league. To be recognized by my colleagues is an incredible honor,” Williams is quoted in a statement. The winner of the award is chosen by the association’s 30 head coaches, and media representatives vote on the official NBA award. The winner will be announced during the postseason.
In addition to Williams, Scott Brooks (Washington Wizards), Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets), Nate McMillan (Atlanta Hawks), Doc Rivers (Philadelphia 76ers), Quin Snyder (Utah Jazz) and Tom Thibodeau (New York Knicks) received votes.
After a 34-39 season in his first year in Phoenix, Williams led his team to 51 wins and 21 losses in the past regular season – the second-best record in the NBA. After ten years of abstinence, the Suns are back in the playoffs for the first time, and the franchise won the Pacific Division for the first time since 2007.
Led by 25.6 points from Devin Booker and 16.4 points and 8.9 assists from Chris Paul, Coach Williams’ team has the seventh best offense and the sixth best defense of the regular season. The Suns are just one of four teams with top 10 scores in both categories. “This award is much bigger than me and a result of the hard work that our players, our coaching staff and the entire Suns organization put in every day under the leadership of James Jones and Robert Sarver,” said Williams.
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