Suns' Monty Williams Voted NBCA Coach of the Year for 2nd Straight Season
Apr 12, 2022
DENVER, CO - MARCH 24: Head Coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 24, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
After leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA's best record during the regular season, Monty Williams has been honored by his peers as the league's top coach.
As first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Williams has been voted the National Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
@Suns Head Coach, Monty Williams has been named the 2022 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.
Williams is in his third season as Suns head coach. They missed the playoffs in his first season with the club in 2019-20, but their eight-game winning streak in the Orlando bubble was the biggest indication that things were improving for a franchise that had been floundering.
The addition of Chris Paul in a November 2020 trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder proved to be the final piece of the puzzle.
The Suns went 51-21 last season, finishing second in the Western Conference and making the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers en route to reaching the NBA Finals for the third time in franchise history.
Things have been even better on the court in Phoenix so far this season. Williams led the team to a franchise-record 64 wins.
The Suns were eight games better than any other team in the NBA during the regular season. They led the league in net rating (plus-7.5), per Basketball Reference.
Before Williams' arrival, the Suns had just one winning season from 2010-19. They had six different head coaches during that span, including interim coaches Lindsey Hunter (2013), Earl Watson (who was later hired as the full-time head coach) and Jay Triano (2017-18).
The NBCA Coach of the Year award was first given out in 2016-17. Williams and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer (2018-19, 2019-20) are the only coaches to win the award multiple times.
Suns' Monty Williams Says Devin Booker's Lack of MVP Hype 'Kind of Silly'
Apr 7, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Chris Paul #3 after a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 05, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams believes Devin Booker should be the front-runner for MVP this season despite players like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo getting more hype to win the award.
"How many guys with his numbers and our record weren't the MVP?" he asked reporters Wednesday. "I've heard in Book's case it's because he plays with Chris [Paul]. That's kind of silly because [James] Harden won one playing with Chris."
The argument in favor of Booker is that he's the leading scorer (26.7 PPG) on the best team in basketball. It's not particularly close—at the time of publication the Suns were 63-16, eight wins better than any other team.
Now you could make the argument that the Western Conference is having something of a down year, with a number of past contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Denver Nuggets dealing with major injuries throughout the year.
But the Eastern Conference is loaded this season, and the Suns went 25-5 against those teams. They've had an incredible regular season.
It's a bit easier to make the argument against Booker being the MVP, however. He's currently just 10th in scoring average and doesn't offer an equivalent secondary skill to players like Jokic (elite playmaker from the center position), Embiid or Antetokounmpo (both elite defenders).
You want advanced stats? Booker is 20th in win shares (7.5), 17th in VORP (3.5), 20th in box plus-minus (4.0), 38th in player impact estimate (13.7) and 26th in player efficiency rating (21.45). For context, the trio of Jokic, Embiid and Antetokounmpo all rank top-three in each of those metrics.
Booker's had a great season. But the best player doesn't always play on the team with the best record. That's likely the argument MVP voters will make when they vote for either Jokic, Embiid or Giannis.
Devin Booker, Suns Clinch 2022 NBA Playoff Spot With Win over Heat
Mar 10, 2022
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) motions after making a three pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Suns won 103-96. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The Phoenix Suns clinched a playoff berth on Wednesday with a 111-90 win over the Miami Heat to improve to 53-13.
It's the team's second consecutive postseason appearance after going 10 straight years without a postseason berth. Phoenix advanced to the NBA Finals last year but fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
The Suns played like they were on a mission this season and opened with a 48-10 record before the All-Star break. Phoenix put together two winning streaks of 10 games or more this year, including an 18-game run from the end of October to the beginning of December.
Things didn't come completely easy for the Suns, however. Star point guard Chris Paul went down with a fractured thumb in February that has caused him to miss eight games. The team has gone 5-3 in his absence.
Three-time All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker has led the way for the Suns, averaging 25.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Phoenix has been one of the more balanced teams in the league this season. The team ranks fifth in total offense (113.7 ppg) and sixth in team defense (106.1 ppg). It also ranked second in field goal percentage (48.1) and first point differential (plus-7.6).
The Suns are highly motivated to avenge last year's loss in the Finals. Whichever team draws Phoenix in the first round will be in for a tough series.
Chris Paul's Broken Thumb Is Another Potentially Legacy-Altering Injury
Feb 21, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 16: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after an injury to his hand and a technical-foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Footprint Center on February 16, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Rockets 124-121. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Just before the NBA tipped off its All-Star Game and 75th anniversary celebration, TNT's Allie LaForce shared a report that begs the question: Why does this keep happening to Chris Paul?
The results of CP3's recent MRI revealed a right thumb avulsion fracture that will be evaluated in six to eight weeks.
An optimistic read of the situation would have CP3 back in time for the playoffs, but it's impossible to say if that will happen right now.
His Phoenix Suns are currently 6.5 games up on the second-place Golden State Warriors. With about a quarter of the season to go, they should be able to hold that first-place position, but this is another potential legacy-altering injury for Paul.
Fair or not, the bulk of discussions on a player's spot in NBA history begins and ends with the number of rings he's won. In many eyes, it doesn't matter what's been accomplished if a championship is never won.
John Stockton is first all time (by a mile) in both career assists and career steals. He's ninth all time in career box plus/minus (BPM "...is a basketball box score-based metric that estimates a basketball player's contribution to the team when that player is on the court," according to Basketball Reference). But not having a title keeps him out of any discussions for top 10-15 status.
In The Athletic's recent publication of its top 75 players of all time, Stockton came in at 25th. Somehow, that feels fair, and now CP3 is potentially headed down that same road.
In 2021, Paul overcame a shoulder injury in the first round of the playoffs to make it to the Finals for the first time in his career. His team was up 2-0 before losing four straight to the Milwaukee Bucks. For a moment, it felt like he may have overcome years of tragically bad luck.
And after starting 2021-22 with a juggernaut-like 48-10 record, it felt like that bad luck was on the ropes again. But not having a fully healthy Paul for the 2022 postseason would make it tough to win the West again. Especially if his absence costs Phoenix the top seed (or two).
Regardless of the opponent, an early exit that feels in any way tied to Paul's health will add this season to an already borderline tragic list.
In 2015, a hamstring injury cost CP3 two games when his Lob City Clippers faced and eventually lost to the Houston Rockets. In 2016, he broke his hand in a first-round series the Clippers wound up losing against the Portland Trail Blazers. Then, as a member of the Houston Rockets, Paul and James Harden had the dynastic Golden State Warriors on the ropes before another hamstring injury cost CP3 the final two games of a seven-game series.
For a player with a statistical resume as absurd as Paul's, having a career highlighted by those injuries feels more than unfair.
Like Stockton, Paul is top 10 all time in career BPM. In fact, he's sixth and trails only Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Magic Johnson and David Robinson. He's also ninth in career playoff BPM.
His career regular-season averages of 18.2 points, 9.5 assists and 2.1 steals put him in a league of his own (no one else in league history has averaged 18-plus points, nine-plus assists and two-plus steals for a career).
If that's not enough, here are a handful of his ranks when you combine regular and postseason numbers:
Assists: 4th
Steals: 5th
Wins over replacement player: 7th
Threes: 33rd
Minutes: 37th
Points: 38th
But he's missing a ring, and he has more notable injuries than deep playoff runs. Whether any of that is CP3's fault or not, those points will serve as the ledes in conversations about Paul's legacy.
That is, unless, he overcomes his latest struggle with the basketball gods.
The postseason starts April 16. April 17 is exactly eight weeks from the day Paul's broken hand was revealed.
The Grizzlies and Warriors are good enough to threaten the Suns' top spot, but Phoenix is plus-4.2 points per 100 possessions without CP3 on the floor over the last two seasons.
Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and the rest of a deep roster are capable of clinging to first. And several weeks without Paul might actually elevate the younger players. For two years, they've had one of the game's premier playmakers as an on-court mentor. Now, they can put his lessons into practice.
And if time away from CP3 steels their nerves, the Suns might even be more ready for this year's playoff run.
Coming back from the injury, rejoining the battle-hardened Suns and exorcising demons of postseasons past would be as close to a perfect resolution as Paul's story could get.
Suns' Chris Paul Diagnosed with Fractured Thumb Injury, Will Miss at Least 6-8 Weeks
Feb 21, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 15: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after making a three point basket during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Footprint Center on February 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul has suffered an avulsion fracture of his right thumb and will be sidelined for approximately two months.
TNT's Allie LaForce announced Paul's injury during the pregame coverage of Sunday's All-Star Game, noting he will be reevaluated in six to eight weeks but still plans to play a few minutes in the exhibition contest.
Although the Suns put a strong
foundation in place with Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Mikal
Bridges, their emergence as an NBA championship contender coincided
with Paul's arrival in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead
of the 2020-21 season.
They reached last year's NBA Finals
before falling short against the Milwaukee Bucks and are squarely in
the mix once again. Paul continues to produce at a high level,
averaging 14.9 points, 10.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in
58 appearances this season.
Injuries have been a consistent
factor in the 36-year-old Wake Forest product's decorated career—he's only played a full 82-game season once—but he's been durable since arriving in Phoenix despite this injury.
The Suns are rolling toward a high seed
in the 2022 Western Conference playoffs, so they can afford to remain
conservative with any injuries Paul deals with down the stretch.
They'll need him as close to 100 percent as possible for the
postseason.
Suns' Chris Paul Suggests He Could Miss Time with Thumb Injury After All-Star Break
Feb 19, 2022
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) motions after making a three pointer during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Suns won 103-96. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul suggested Saturday that he could miss some time after undergoing an MRI on his right hand Thursday.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Suns haven't released the results of Paul's MRI, but CP3 said the following regarding his status: "We're 48-10 and if we do miss some time, I know the guys are going to hold it down. There's always going to be a frustration with injury. My hand surgeon is part of my family now."
At the same time, Paul didn't rule himself out of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game despite having his hand wrapped in a cast during Saturday's practice.
Paul suffered the injury during the third quarter of Wednesday's 124-121 win over the Houston Rockets. Per ESPN, Paul received a technical foul after expressing anger over jamming his hand. He then received a second tech and was tossed from the game after bumping into referee J.T. Orr.
ESPN also reported that Suns guard Devin Booker said Paul was "fine" after the game and didn't expect the hand injury to keep CP3 out of the All-Star Game.
The 36-year-old Paul is enjoying another strong season for the Suns, averaging 14.9 points, an NBA-leading 10.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He is also shooting 48.7 percent from the floor and 33.0 percent from beyond the arc.
With Paul leading the way, the Suns own the best record in the NBA at 48-10 and are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak.
The 12-time All-Star reached the NBA Finals for the first time last season, but Phoenix fell to the Milwaukee Bucks. Given how they have played this season, the Suns are strong candidates to play for a championship again.
While Paul is the straw that stirs the drink, the future Hall of Famer is far from the only reason for Phoenix's success.
Booker, who is also an All-Star, is leading the team with 25.5 points per game. Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson have all been key contributors as well.
Phoenix doesn't play again until next Thursday, which will give Paul some time to rest if he chooses to miss the All-Star Game.
If Paul is forced to miss any action coming out of the break, the recently acquired Aaron Holiday will be the top candidate to take on his minutes.
That role would normally go to Cameron Payne, but he has been out since late January due to a wrist injury.
Suns' Devin Booker on Hawks Game: 'With So Few Losses You Remember Every One'
Feb 19, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 16: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Footprint Center on February 16, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Rockets 124-121. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Despite winning 18 of their past 19 games and having the NBA's best record at the All-Star break, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker isn't over his team's 124-115 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 3.
Booker tweeted his frustration at that loss Thursday, which is the only blemish on the Suns' resume dating back to Jan. 11:
Speaking to reporters during Saturday's All-Star media session, Booker said "with so few losses, you remember every one" when asked why he's still thinking about the Hawks game.
Suns’ Devin Booker on dwelling on loss to Hawks during streak of 18 wins in 19 games: “I don’t want to sound too cocky about it, but with so few losses you remember every one.” pic.twitter.com/fRAV730k68
Booker did use the Ricky Bobby-esque qualifier, so that does allow him to get away with bragging about his team.
There's no reason Booker shouldn't brag about the Suns. They came into this season tied with the Utah Jazz for the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title (+1400), despite reaching the Finals last season. They were behind the Los Angeles Lakers (+425) and Golden State Warriors (+1100) among Western Conference teams.
Fast-forward to the All-Star break, the Suns are 48-10 and have a 6.5-game lead over the Warriors for the league's best record.
Phoenix's loss to the Hawks is the only thing standing between the team and a 19-game winning streak. It would be tied for the sixth-longest in NBA history.
Booker scored a team-high 32 points against the Hawks, but he only went 1-of-8 from three-point range. He is having a fantastic season, averaging 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 51 starts.
2021-22 NBA Championship Odds: Warriors, Suns Betting Favorites at All-Star Break
Feb 18, 2022
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) drives against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The Phoenix Suns are the favorites to win the 2022 NBA title after entering the All-Star break with the best record in the league at 48-10.
The Suns are listed at +450 on Caesars Sportsbook (h/t ESPN's David Purdum), meaning a $100 bet could win $450. The Golden State Warriors are close behind them at +475, while the Brooklyn Nets remain high at +550.
Here are the top teams heading into All-Star Weekend.
NBA Title Odds
Phoenix Suns: +450
Golden State Warriors: +475
Brooklyn Nets: +550
Milwaukee Bucks: +600
Philadelphia 76ers: +700
Miami Heat: +1100
Utah Jazz: +1600
Memphis Grizzlies: +2500
Boston Celtics: +2800
Chicago Bulls: +3000
Denver Nuggets: +3000
Los Angeles Lakers: +3000
The Suns have a 6.5-game lead over the Warriors (42-17) for the No. 1 seed in the West, although the odds remain close because of how the public views the two teams.
"The Suns have the better record, but the Warriors are close because of a liability standpoint, and they have more of the public trust than the Suns," Adam Pullen, assistant director of trading for Caesars Sportsbook, told Purdum. "The Warriors are definitely one of our biggest losses."
Golden State still has superstars Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, a group that has already won three titles together. The big names could keep the odds short while fewer people trust Chris Paul, Devin Booker and others to win their first championship win the Suns.
Name recognition is also important with the Nets, which have the third-best odds despite sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference. The squad is 2-12 in its last 14 games, while Kevin Durant remains injured and Ben Simmons is yet to suit up for the team.
Though the upside is exciting, it's a risky bet for gamblers.
It's a similar story for the Los Angeles Lakers, even as they drop from 3-1 preseason to 30-1 as of Friday. The team's popularity and presence of LeBron James likely keeps the 27-31 Lakers with the exact same odds as the Chicago Bulls, a squad tied for the best record in the East at 38-21.
The Philadelphia 76ers remain a team to watch in the East with 7-1 odds after landing James Harden to pair with Joel Embiid, while defending champion Milwaukee Bucks sit at 6-1 to win it all.
Suns' Chris Paul to Undergo MRI on Hand Injury Suffered vs. Rockets
Feb 17, 2022
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul dribbles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Phoenix. The Suns won 101-92. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul will undergo an MRI on Thursday after injuring his right hand in Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Paul appeared to suffer the injury in the third quarter, and he ended up getting ejected for making contact with a referee.
Paul has shown impressive durability since joining the Suns, appearing in 70 of 72 games for the team last year while averaging over 30 minutes per game for the 16th straight season. He remains a consistent weapon in 2021-22 while averaging 15.0 points and 10.8 assists over 33.3 minutes per game, earning his 12th trip to the All-Star Game.
The 36-year-olddealt with wrist and shoulder injuries during the 2021 postseason, but the only thing that actually kept him off the floor was being in the health and safety protocols for two games.
Paul was otherwise everything Phoenix could want in his first year, helping the team reach the NBA Finals after going 10 years without even a playoff berth. He averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 assists per game last season.
The production has continued in 2021-22 as the Suns look to bring home a championship.
The latest injury represents a setback, however, and puts more pressure on Devin Booker to carry the offense. Cameron Payne and Elfrid Payton should see extra playing time at point guard until Paul returns to full fitness.
NBA Rumors: Deandre Ayton, Domantas Sabonis Deadline Trade Discussed by Suns, Pacers
Feb 11, 2022
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton dunks during the first half of the tealm's NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Despite having the best record in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns were at least willing to take a trade call about star center Deandre Ayton.
Per ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Suns and Indiana Pacers " had brief dialogue" about a deal involving Ayton and Domantas Sabonis before Sabonis was traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Lowe noted the talks "did not get far" and "may have been mostly informal and broadly exploratory—and aimed at the future rather than anything now."
There is certainly no reason for the Suns to trade Ayton right now as they pursue a championship, but the long-term outlook does at least make it sensible the front office would listen.
Ayton can become a restricted free agent this summer. His negotiations with the Suns last offseason about a contract extension didn't result in a deal.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, talks between the two sides stalled when Suns governor Robert Sarver was reluctant to give Ayton a full five-year max worth a guaranteed $172.5 million, which could have reached $207 million with escalators.
Sarver's history as an NBA team owner shows he has taken measures to cut costs with the roster when he can.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported after the Suns' failed talks with Ayton that one league executive called Sarver "cheap" for not making a max offer.
Sabonis, a two-time All-Star, is signed through the 2023-24 season. He will earn $37.9 million over the next two seasons combined, per Spotrac. The 25-year-old is averaging 19.0 points, 12.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this season.
By comparison, Ayton averages 16.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 34 starts. He has evolved into a fantastic defensive player in the paint and one of the biggest reasons the Suns rank fourth in defensive rating, per Basketball-Reference.com.
The Pacers wound up dealing Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday and a 2023 second-round draft pick to Sacramento for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson on Tuesday.
Ayton and the Suns are looking to get back to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive season. Their 45-10 record is the best in the league, 4.5 games ahead of the Golden State Warriors.
