Phoenix Suns: How Monty Williams applied his 5 core principles

Show Up On Time

I’m not there for practice. I’m not there for team meetings. I’m not there for pretty much anything to which Monty Williams expects his team to arrive on time.

However, there was a key game this season that lets me know he is standing by this first principle: the game Kelly Oubre missed the bus.

The Phoenix Suns were about to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10th, when we got word Kelly Oubre would not be starting due to an “internal issue.”

That internal issue got out pretty quickly and ultimately Oubre fessed up and admitted he missed the team. Being demoted to the bench was his punishment.

Coming from someone who is punctual to a fault (I’ve been the awkward first person to parties way too many times in my life; “The invite says 7:30 and it’s 7:35!”), I have to hand it to Monty Williams for sticking by this principle.

There was a team rule, Kelly broke it, and the punishment fit the crime. The coach’s respect meter inched up, and the team moved along.