Tuesday, 14 May 2024

Monty Williams of Phoenix Suns Wins 2021-22 Coach of the Year Award

The Phoenix Suns’ head coach, Monty Williams, has been named the 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year, taking home the prestigious Red Auerbach Trophy. This recognition marks Williams’ first NBA Coach of the Year Award, joining the ranks of Cotton Fitzsimmons (1988-89) and Mike D’Antoni (2004-05) as coaches who have received this honor with the Suns.

Williams secured a commanding lead in the voting process, receiving 458 points and 81 first-place votes from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters worldwide. Taylor Jenkins, head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, finished in second place with 270 points and 17 first-place votes, while Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Miami Heat, claimed third place with 72 points and one first-place vote. The voting system awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote, and one point for each third-place vote.

Impressively, Williams guided the Suns to the best regular-season record in the NBA, with an outstanding 64-18 record. This achievement secured the most victories and highest winning percentage (.780) in a single season in franchise history. Notably, the Suns performed remarkably well both at home and on the road, with identical 32-9 records in both environments. Their road performance was particularly noteworthy, tying for the third-most road wins and the fifth-best road winning percentage (.780) in NBA history.

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The Suns set a franchise record with 18 consecutive victories from October 30 to December 2, 2021. This astounding streak included a perfect 16-0 record in November, which stands as one of the best undefeated months in NBA history, trailing only the Atlanta Hawks’ 17-0 record in January 2015.

Statistically, the Suns excelled across all areas of the game. They ranked first in net rating (+7.5), third in defensive rating (106.8), and fifth in offensive rating (114.2), making them the only team to achieve top-five rankings in all three categories. Additionally, the team showcased their resilience, going undefeated in all 47 games where they held the lead after the third quarter. This accomplishment, the most wins without a loss in such situations in the shot clock era, which began in the 1954-55 season, speaks to the Suns’ exceptional competitive edge.

In recognition of his outstanding performance, Williams was named the NBA Western Conference Coach of the Month twice, in October/November and January. He and his coaching staff also earned the opportunity to lead Team LeBron in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.

This accolade adds another milestone to Williams’ impressive coaching career. In his three seasons as the Suns’ head coach, he has consistently led the team to success. Last season, he guided Phoenix to a 51-21 record and their first appearance in the NBA Finals since the 1992-93 season, finishing as the runner-up for the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year Award. Prior to his tenure with the Suns, Williams served as the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans for five seasons.

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Today, Williams will be presented with a special edition 75th Anniversary commemorative trophy, in addition to the Red Auerbach Trophy, which he will receive at a later date. The commemorative trophy, composed of a solid crystal basketball, features the NBA 75 logo 3D laser etched and suspended within its center.

The NBA Coach of the Year Award, named in honor of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Red Auerbach, pays homage to his unparalleled legacy as the head coach who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships, including eight in a row from 1958-59 to 1965-66.

Congratulations to Monty Williams on this well-deserved recognition for his exceptional coaching skills and leadership. As we celebrate his achievement, let us also recognize the entire Phoenix Suns organization and their remarkable performance throughout the 2021-22 NBA season.

FAQs

Q: How many first-place votes did Monty Williams receive in the Coach of the Year voting?
A: Monty Williams received 81 first-place votes in the Coach of the Year voting.

Q: Who finished in second place in the Coach of the Year voting?
A: Taylor Jenkins, head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, finished in second place in the Coach of the Year voting.

Q: How many consecutive victories did the Phoenix Suns achieve during the season?
A: The Phoenix Suns set a franchise record with 18 consecutive victories during the season.

Q: How did the Suns perform in offensive and defensive ratings?
A: The Suns ranked fifth in offensive rating and third in defensive rating during the season.

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Q: How many times has Monty Williams won the Coach of the Year Award?
A: This is Monty Williams’ first Coach of the Year Award in his coaching career.

Summary

Monty Williams, the head coach of the Phoenix Suns, has been named the 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year. With a remarkable regular-season record, leading the team to the most victories and highest winning percentage in franchise history, Williams has demonstrated exceptional coaching skills. The Suns’ success can be attributed to their outstanding performance in both offensive and defensive ratings, ranking in the top five in the league. This recognition adds to Williams’ already impressive coaching career, with previous success in guiding the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance in nearly three decades. The entire Phoenix Suns organization should be celebrated for their exceptional performance during the 2021-22 NBA season. Visit Osceolagarage.com for more information about the Phoenix Suns and their coaching staff.