Eric SorensonDuring Tuesday’s introductory press conference new Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams made it quite clear of his immediate intentions on Planet Orange.
“The culture has to take a bit of a leap this summer,” Williams said to the assembled media. “We can’t wait until October to take a leap in culture. It’s going to require our guys to embrace the little things.”
“My coaching style is based on servanthood. That’s my heart. To serve the organization and to serve the players… I want guys to be excited to come to work.”
– Monty Williams pic.twitter.com/gSE3uNmaE4
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 21, 2019
Attention to detail is something Williams continued to stress having worked under legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and others along his windy path to the desert.
“Championships come as a result of being great in the little things,” newly anointed general manager James Jones explained. “That’s not just verbage that the you throw around. You really have to believe it. After our first meeting I knew, if there was an opportunity to get him here, than we had to do it.”
Williams said there is appeal for NBA players to not only train and spend their off-seasons in Phoenix but play for the fifth-most winning team in league history.
A L L – R O O K I E | 1⃣ T E A M
Congrats @DeandreAyton! ✨ pic.twitter.com/ZhCZC8z9m1
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 21, 2019
He believes young pieces like Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges are the core of the team, comparing Booker to former Portland star Brandon Roy who he coached with the Blazers.
“The record would reflect the bottom but I don’t think we’re at the bottom,” Williams said. “I think we have a young team that’s learning how to win and they will. I have to do my job.”
