The coach of the Phoenix Suns, Monty
Williams, has been named NBA Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, as announced Tuesday.
Williams led the Suns to a 51-21 mark, the second-best record in the NBA, and his first division title since 2006-07. His 70.8% winning percentage is the fifth best in franchise history.
The Suns are the No. 2 seeds in the Western Conference playoffs.
“Congratulations to Monty Williams for this well-deserved recognition ”, said in a statement the coach of the Dallas
Mavericks and president of the NBCA, Rick
Carlisle. In just two years, Monty has led the Suns from a 19-63 team to the second-best record in the league. NBA this season and the first division title of the Suns since 2007. Winning the vote of our teammates makes the … award one of the most significant in all of professional sport. “
The Suns they ranked seventh in scoring and seventh in defense, one of four teams to make the Top 10 in both categories. Phoenix he also had the league’s best road record at 24-12.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for the coaches in this league, so being recognized by my teammates is an incredible honor,” he said. Williams. “All the coaches in our league sacrifice a lot to make their teams and organizations better, so this is incredibly humbling.”
Scott Brooks, Michael Malone, Nate McMillan, Doc Rivers, Who Snyder and Tom Thibodeau received votes.
Williams has a record of 85-60 in two seasons with the Suns. He previously posted 173-221 in five seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (2010-15).