Phoenix Suns’ Monty Williams wins NBA Coach of the Seeding Games
Aug 15, 2020, 11:17 AM | Updated: 2:15 pm
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams talks with Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22), guard Jevon Carter (4) and forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
The Phoenix Suns announced Saturday that head coach Monty Williams has been named the Kia NBA Coach of the Seeding Games.
Devin Booker was also named to the Kia NBA All-Seeding Games First Team, averaging 30.5 points during the eight seeding games.
Williams led the Suns to a record of 8-0 in the bubble, making them the only undefeated team during the seeding portion of the NBA’s restart.
Phoenix went on an improbable run in pursuit of the two potential Western Conference play-in spots, only to come up short on the last possible day.
“It’s a huge blessing. I’m just thankful for what our guys accomplished in Orlando.”
– the NBA Coach of the Seeding Games: Monty Williams pic.twitter.com/LtVHoY2TSP
— 8-0 (@Suns) August 15, 2020
Beyond the perfect record, the statistics also back up the Suns being the best team of the seeding portion. They finished second in offensive rating, fourth in defensive rating, second in rebounding, third in assists, first in assist-to-turnover ratio and second in true shooting percentage.
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The end of the Suns’ season closes Williams’ first chapter in Phoenix after becoming the team’s new head coach in May of 2019, replacing the fired Igor Kokoskov. Williams signed a five-year deal with the team.
Williams previously had five years of head coaching experience with New Orleans. He went 173-221 (.439) from 2010-15, making the playoffs twice and losing in the first round both times.
The Suns’ final record for the 2019-20 season was 34-39.
