MVP Nikola Jokic ‘really touched’ by Suns’ Monty Williams at All-Star weekend

Pen down the NBA’s MVP as the latest person to be impressed by Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams.

Williams has always been one of the most well-respected people in the NBA, dating back to his playing career and time as an assistant coach before stepping into larger roles like coaching the New Orleans Hornets and being an assistant coach on Team USA.

The 50-year-old has a clear gift for connecting not only with his players but with people in general and has shown through two-plus seasons with the Suns that he can speak eloquently and thoughtfully on a variety of topics.

So, when Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic got his first real exposure to Williams beyond playing against him when Williams coached him in the All-Star Game, that seemed to stick with Jokic.

When asked on Sunday after the game what his largest takeaway was from the weekend, Jokic said it was Williams.

“He made a really big impact,” Jokic said. “He really touched me.”

How so?

“It touched me as a person, as a coach, just as a man, just as a human being,” Jokic said. “How calm (he was). You feel like you can talk to him about anything. He surprised me a lot.”

The four-time All-Star said Williams gave the team a speech on Saturday and absorbed how drawn in all the players were.

“Just how guys are listening to him when he is talking,” he said. “He’s not shouting. He’s calm and everybody’s listening.”

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