The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have won 15 gold medals in the 18 tournaments they have participated in during the past 84 years, while the women have won 8 gold medals in the 10 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 44 years. Those of you who were looking forward to the 2020 Olympics opening ceremonies in Tokyo on July 24, 2020 will have to wait an extra 364 days, as the coronavirus caused a postponement until July 23, 2021. Due to the absence of college basketball since mid-March, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel decided to fill the void by trying to interview as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible so that you have something to read this summer while not watching the Summer Games. We continue our coverage by chatting with Duane Rankin, Phoenix Suns Insider for the Arizona Republic, about Monty Williams winning a gold medal in 2016. Today marks the 4th anniversary of team USA beating Serbia 96-66 to clinch the gold medal.
In the summer of 1994 Monty was drafted 24th overall by the Knicks (2 spots ahead of Charlie Ward): did he see that as a validation of his college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other? Coming from where he grew up in Virginia to make it to the NBA was special for him.
In 2005 he won an NBA championship as a coaching staff intern with San Antonio: what did it mean to him to win a title? He learned under Coach Gregg Popovich, who left his mark on him as both a coach and a person. That is his coaching mentor.
In 2010 he was hired by New Orleans and made the playoffs in his very 1st season: how was he able to come in as the youngest head coach in the NBA at age 38 and be successful right from the start? He learned from both Popovich and Nate McMillan. The key is having a good work ethic and never skipping any steps.
In February of 2016 his wife Ingrid died after her car was struck head-on by a vehicle that crossed lanes after losing control: how have he and his 5 children been able to deal with such a tragedy? Faith: he is all about faith and belief. It has been tough, very tough, but Coach is a true believer and that can pull you through even something that tragic.
That summer he served as an assistant to Mike Krzyzewski for team USA at the 2016 Olympics: how did he like working for Coach K, and what did it mean to him to win a gold medal? Just being part of that experience enabled him to build relationships with not only Coach K but also with those players.
Last year he was hired as head coach in Phoenix: what has been the best part of year #1, and what has been the not-so-best part? He was the best thing the Suns did last summer. The best thing he did was implement his style of play and get his players to buy in. Without that, Phoenix would not have ended the season the way it did (by going a perfect 8-0 in the bubble). The Suns had bad stretches of basketball but that is not all on the players. He did take ownership for not getting the team ready at times.
What has it been like for him to be an African-American NBA coach during this year of pandemic/police/protest? He is a natural competitor, a fighter, and a believer in truth so eventually he was going to say or do something. He felt like he was not doing anything at first and just watching from afar so he got involved and has stayed involved ever since.