Suns’ Williams voted Coach of the Year

Phoenix’s HC leads the team to a franchise-record 64 wins during the regular season

PHOENIX – Monty Williams now has the honor that his Phoenix Suns players have been clamoring that he receive for two years: NBA’s Coach of the Year.

Good luck getting him to take credit.

“I’ve often said about my life that God knocks the ball out of the park and I get to run the bases,” Williams said. “Yeah, my name goes on the plaque, but my name represents a lot of names.”

The 50-year-old Williams won the award on Monday after leading the Suns to a franchise-record 64 wins during the regular season. They were NBA’s best team by far, finishing with eight more wins than any other team.

Williams joins Cotton Fitzsimmons (1988-89) and Mike D’Antoni (2004-05) as coaches who have won the award with the Suns.

The runner-up to New York’s Tom Thibodeau last season, Williams was the runaway winner this time. He received 81 of 100 first-place votes from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters, finishing with 458 points.

Memphis’ Taylor Jenkins was second with 17 first-place votes and 270 points. Miami’s Erik Spoelstra and Boston’s Ime Udoka also received a first-place vote.

Williams is known for his calming presence on the sideline and tight relationships with players. He was brought to Phoenix in

MATT YORK/AP PHOENIX SUNS HEAD COACH MONTY WILLIAMS hands off the ball during a break in the action during the first half of Game 2 in the second round of the Western Conference playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday in Phoenix.

GERALD HERBERT/AP PHOENIX SUNS HEAD COACH MONTY WILLIAMS wipes tears from the face of New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green after a first-round playoff series on Thursday in New Orleans.