Monty Williams Fired

[TOO]

Lue is supposedly under contract for 3 more years….why would LA let him go to us?

Makes no sense

3 flameouts in a row?

[Split T]

That article makes me feel like it’s only a matter of time for James Jones too. Maybe he doesn’t get fired, but Ishbia is gonna bring in his own guys or just run the show himself.

[Wally_West]

How about this?

Isiah Thomas as head coach!!!


Lmao you just know Ishbia gonna do some stupid shit like that

[Shabazz]

Kind of a surprise. Congrats, Jeremy, I guess.

On the money thing, I’m pretty sure coaching contracts have a salary offset. So Ishbia doesn’t have to eat the whole thing if Monty gets another gig.

I know we flamed out. But Voltron of Pop, Spo and Red Auerbach wasn’t beating that Nuggets team with a starting lineup that included Landry Shamet, Jock Landale and Cam Payne.

I really, really hope Isiah Thomas does not get a role with this team. I’m sure he already has Ishbia’s ear, but he burns everything he touches to the ground. And all the icky harassment stuff would be a bad look in a post-Sarver world.

[specialsauce]

Kind of a surprise. Congrats, Jeremy, I guess.

On the money thing, I’m pretty sure coaching contracts have a salary offset. So Ishbia doesn’t have to eat the whole thing if Monty gets another gig.

I know we flamed out. But Voltron of Pop, Spo and Red Auerbach wasn’t beating that Nuggets team with a starting lineup that included Landry Shamet, Jock Landale and Cam Payne.

I really, really hope Isiah Thomas does not get a role with this team. I’m sure he already has Ishbia’s ear, but he burns everything he touches to the ground. And all the icky harassment stuff would be a bad look in a post-Sarver world.

We were blown out in 4 games essentially. It wasn’t just game 6.

We didn’t look good against the depleted Clipps squad.

We really haven’t looked good all year long. Teams figured out Montys plan A, and he had zero ability to develop a plan B, C or D. His rotations were awful; he refused to stand up for his players and he played clear favorites with CP3 and Landry- his ride or dies, while having no problem yanking others and publicly ridiculing them “deal with their warts.”

He had worn out his welcome

[JeremyG]

Everyone’s forgetting another possibility…Ishbia’s fellow Spartan…Magic Johnson.

[Split T]

Magic would be an awful coach. I hope it’s Lue somehow. If not I’d be fine with Nurse. Think anyone else would be dissapointing.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Chasing butterflies in the Ty Lue pursuit.

Gonna be awesome when they settle for someone like Scott Brooks…

[SunsRIt]

Ishbia doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that settles for anything.

[Split T]

I know how we feel about Flex, but I need some optimism right now so I’m hoping he’s right haha

[Split T]

Chasing butterflies in the Ty Lue pursuit.

Gonna be awesome when they settle for someone like Scott Brooks…

Barf…that’s the exact kind of move I’m afraid of

[Superbone]

I think this makes it even more likely that Chris Paul has played his last game as a Sun.

It was pretty obvious from both Chris and Monty’s answers in their exit interviews that they were certainly not given any assurances that they would be back…so I could kind of see the writing on the wall especially with Monty.

I’m not surprised by the move, but I am surprised at just how quickly public sentiment turned against Monty.

That's what happens when you go out two years in a row in spectacular fashion.

[BKinSJC]

Chasing butterflies in the Ty Lue pursuit.

Gonna be awesome when they settle for someone like Scott Brooks…

Barf…that’s the exact kind of move I’m afraid of

We already have Durant. Don't need to bring in one of his old coaches to try to get him here (like the Wizards did a few years back).

[Drewsprocket]

Mat really does think he can get whatever he wants, I love it.

I mean he’s got balls. I’d gladly take him over Monty. Sonofab!tch is just going for it.

[BKinSJC]

Mat really does think he can get whatever he wants, I love it.

I mean he’s got balls. I’d gladly take him over Monty. Sonofab!tch is just going for it.

I guess that's one way to think of it. On the other hand, if he thinks he's going to win some kind of bidding war with Ballmer, he might just be delusional.

[JeremyG]

I think this makes it even more likely that Chris Paul has played his last game as a Sun.

It was pretty obvious from both Chris and Monty’s answers in their exit interviews that they were certainly not given any assurances that they would be back…so I could kind of see the writing on the wall especially with Monty.

I’m not surprised by the move, but I am surprised at just how quickly public sentiment turned against Monty.

That's what happens when you go out two years in a row in spectacular fashion.

It seems like history repeats itself with the Suns…

1993: Lose NBA Finals in 6 games.
1994: Lose conference semifinals in 7 games after being up 2-0
1995: Lose conference semifinals again (to the same team, in 7 games after being up 2-0 and 3-1!)

Then:
2021: Lose NBA Finals in 6 games.
2022: Lose conference semifinals in 7 games after being up 2-0
2023: Lose conference semifinals in 6 games

[Nodack]

Monty being gone doesn’t surprise me. Booker and Durant are safe. Everyone else isn’t safe imo.

[SunsSince92]

It's a shame Monty is gone but I think it was only a matter of time. If it had to happen I'd much rather it was done now than 20 games into the new season so props to Ishbia for that.

Interested to see what it means for Ayton and CP3....

[Shabazz]

The last time we fired the coach who turned around our culture and made us a contender, we replaced him with Terry Porter. Hopefully we’re smarter this time around.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I still think this is going to be a bad decision, but I'll hold judgement until we see how everything is looking going into training camp.

I'm a bit annoyed by the Ty Lue stuff. A lot of people wanted to move on from Monty but certainly not everyone, so it seems like the Ty Lue stuff is a way to momentarily placate to those who didn't want Monty fired.

Mike Budenholzer - No thanks.
Nick Nurse - I could be into it, would need to see how other pieces fit.
Frank Vogel - I like it, probably my preferred choice among unemployed candidates.
Kenny Atkinson - Eh? Had one good year with low expectations.
Sam Cassell - He'll get a chance someday, so maybe he's good. Pretty high risk.
Becky Hammon - WNBA season is about to start and she's coaching the best team in the league defending a title. Very high risk.
Larry Drew - Wasn't terrible with the Hawks a decade ago and has a lot of years under Ty Lue. Certainly underwhelming but I can already foresee the sales pitch to the fanbase.

I don't see how they could promote Kevin Young even if he's ready for a head coaching job. And please God, not Tom Izzo.