Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams has earned coach of the year honors from the National Basketball Coaches Association. The award is presented annually after taking a vote from his 29 fellow head coaches.
"I hold the utmost respect and admiration for the coaches in this league, so to be recognized by my peers is an incredible honor," Williams said.
"Every coach in our league sacrifices a ton to make their teams and organizations better, so this is unbelievably humbling."
Williams is currently in the midst of his second year with the Phoenix Suns. During his first season, he led the team to a 34-39 regular-season record. More importantly, the team finished with an eight-game winning streak and built a bit of momentum heading into the current season. Adding to their momentum, veterans Chris Paul and Jae Crowder signed with the Phoenix Suns during the off-season. This season, the team has earned a record of 51-21 and landed the second seed in the Western Conference.
"This award is far bigger than myself and is a result of the work put in everyday by our players, coaching staff, and the entire Suns organization under the leadership of James Jones and Robert Sarver," Williams continued.
"This has been a unique year in its challenges, and I am grateful for the tremendous spirit with which our players and staff have approached each day to make this a special season -- Everything Counts!"
Williams faced stiff competition from other coaches around the league. In Atlanta, Nate McMillan has guided the Hawks to their first playoff appearance in four years. Elsewhere, Doc Rivers led the Philadelphia 76ers to their best regular-season finish since Allen Iverson guided the team to the NBA Finals in 2001.
Later this month, the Suns are set to begin their first playoff run in a decade. Phoenix will play either the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
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