For Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, the Phoenix Suns' decision to replace former head coach Igor Kokoskov with Monty Williams was the right move.
“If you're going to ask somebody to be the leader of a young team and a young organization, to lead guys like Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, who better than Monty Williams,” Malone said, via Duane Rankin on the Arizona Republic.
"If you're going to ask somebody to be the leader of a young team and a young organization, to lead guys like Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, who better than Monty Williams." #Nuggets head coach Michael Malone praising the new #Suns head coach. pic.twitter.com/mb16XkZEww
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 15, 2019
The Suns are one of the league's youngest teams, with their franchise cornerstones being Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Acquiring a veteran coach that has prior head coaching experience (in addition to no shortage of years as an assistant coaching) might resonate with the players more than having a first-time head coach like Kokoskov.
After a nine-year playing career in the NBA, Williams became an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2005. His time with the Blazers came to an end in 2010 when he took the head coaching job with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, which lasted until 2015.
Williams ended his time with the Pelicans with a 173-221 regular-season record and a 2-8 playoff record.
Following his time in New Orleans, Williams served as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2015 until 2016. He took a front-office role with the San Antonio Spurs in 2017 but ultimately returned to coaching with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018.
With the Western Conference loaded with talented teams, it will take a great coaching effort from Williams for the Suns to move up from where they finished in the 2018-19 standings.
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