Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams Must Avoid Overcompensating After the Finals
The Phoenix Suns more or less lost the NBA Finals last year due to the Milwaukee Bucks working Deandre Ayton into foul trouble, and then allowing Giannis Antetokounmpo to attack offensively without hesitation.
Every loss stings, but one that surrenders a chance to win a championship does so forever. But going into the 2021-22 season, Monty Williams cannot let the ghost of Giannis and the Bucks haunt him while navigating through his rotation.
Before anything else, Williams must begin to trust Ayton with his fouls during this upcoming campaign even despite what happened a few months ago. Frequently finding yourself in foul trouble on the game’s largest stage is about as clear a teaching moment anyone can experience in the NBA. So with that, expect Ayton to enter his fourth season having fully learned his lesson, now emphasizing defense without drawing whistles.
"We had 16 FTs. One guy had 17." - Monty Williams on Deandre Ayton's foul trouble, emphasizing DA will learn from this and be better in regards to staying out of foul trouble
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) July 12, 2021
Although signing JaVale McGee brought some solid insurance to this team at the center spot, Williams still needs to recognize Ayton’s newly found awareness regarding his fouling tendencies, trust him with it, and let him stay on the floor longer.
Also due to the gravity of the NBA Finals, it might become difficult for Williams to burry this distrust for Ayton following his foul-filled play. But regardless, he needs to put all those feelings to bed. A new season lies on the horizon, with a much wiser Ayton on deck—ready to make good on his prior mishaps.