Williams, Donovan formed bond in OKC
Billy Donovan and Monty Williams crossed paths long before ever working together.
“When I was in Florida, I used to a lot of times to get direct flights, I would drive to the Orlando airport and Monty’s dad worked there,” said Donovan as he was head coach at Florida (1996-2015).
Williams played three seasons with the Orlando Magic (1999-02).
“I used to see him all the time. Didn’t even know Monty, but I used to see him going through baggage claim and we would talk,” Donovan continued.
The two connected years later Oklahoma City.
Williams was Donovan’s assistant in the 2015-16 season. Their bench time together prematurely ended as Williams left the team after his wife passed away in
after a car accident, but the two developed a close friendship that’s even closer now.
“Great friend, great guy,” Donovan said. “Really enjoyed my time with him. Unfortunately, it was shorter than expected with the tragedy he and he family had to deal with, but I’ve remained very, very close with Monty.”
The two showed that love for each other after Saturday’s game the Thunder won with a giant hug. They later talked after the game in the hallway before Williams and the Suns returned to Phoenix.
The conversation may have taken them back to when they met in Los Angeles to discuss Oklahoma City. A lifelong friendship was born. “We just talked,” Williams said. “He’s got this laugh that makes you laugh. So we just sat there and talked about family and leadership and culture and other aspects of life in that meeting and I just kind of knew he was the kind person that I not only wanted to work for, but do well for. We’re tight.”
So tight that Williams has Donovan’s son, Billy Donovan III, working for him as an assistant video coordinator. Williams first spotted him working for San Antonio’s G-League team in Austin when he was in management for the Spurs.
“He wasn’t the kind of person relying on the cashee of his name, or last name,” Williams said. “He was getting after it and he’s just a good dude. As long as I’m employed in this capacity, I want BD with me. He’s that kind of dude.”
It’s the least Williams can do considering how well the lady of the Donovan household treated him and his family.
“His wife’s baking,” a smiling Williams said. “She would just drop stuff by the house for me and the kids from time to time. With all they had going on, I was like, wow, how does she have the time.”
Living and learning
Rookies Ty Jerome and Cam Johnson found out how difficult it is to guard the league’s ultimate scorer – James Harden.
“The shot he made late in the shot clock on me, I’m like, I felt my hand was there,” Jerome said. “He dribbled 12 seconds and hit a stepback. It’s just tough.”
Johnson was also on the wrong side of a 3 that ended up being a four-point play as he fouled him late in Phoenix’s loss Saturday night to Houston.
“Tried to move my feet, contest him,” Johnson said. “Throws his hand back, gets the foul, makes the shot. It’s a bad storm right there. A little bit of a nightmare. It’s just tough. It’s tough and I tried to do everything in my power to stop it, but didn’t come out with a good result today – at all.”
Just part of a rookie season that’s often filled with ups and downs.
“Our young guys are getting a wealth of knowledge and if they approach it the right way, I promise we’re going to see growth from this team,” Williams said, "and it’s going to be a good thing.”
Jerome has had a tougher time than Johnson because he missed Phoenix’s first 19 games with a severe ankle injury.
“I just got to be aggressive,” Jerome said. “I was thinking a little bit. So just stopping. Just play my game, take the right shots, share the ball and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”
Still, he and Johnson are sharing a rookie experience Williams believes will serve them well.
“Everything isn’t always sweet, I’ll tell you that,” Johnson said. “It’s not always positive and happy and fun and easy. It gets tough. It gets tough when you’re going out there and doing everything you can and not coming up with the stop. Back-to-backs. A lot of travel. It’s a little bit different for us. We talk about that. We understand it’s not going to be easy.”
Upcoming games
A quick look at Phoenix’s next four games:
Friday at Golden State Warriors – Phoenix won its first game there to begin its season-long three-game win streak. Can it recapture some of that magic against what is now one of the NBA’s worst teams?
Saturday at Sacramento Kings – The second of a four-game road trip against a team that like Phoenix has had its share of struggles. Another must-win game for Suns if the playoffs are going to be a possibility.
Monday at Portland Trail Blazers – Phoenix can avenge that one-point loss to the Trail Blazers, who have started to find their way with a reshuffled roster.
New Year’s Day at Los Angeles Lakers – What a way to open the new year against one of the favorites to win it all this season to conclude the fourgame road trip.