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Phoenix Suns Coach Monty Williams Relies on His Faith in Coaching: ‘The Essence of My Coaching Is to Serve’
By Movieguide® Staff
Although Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns, Monty Williams, has led his team to their first NBA finals appearance since 1993 and an opportunity to make history, faith will always be his ultimate victory.
The veteran NBA coach is not afraid to share his Christian beliefs with the rest of the league. Williams’ values were on full display after the tragic death of his wife, Ingrid, in 2015 after a driver, while under the influence of methamphetamine, crashed into her car.
Even in his grieving, Williams pointed his family, friends, and fans towards his hope in Jesus.
“Let’s not lose sight of what’s important,” Williams said at the time. “God will work this out. My wife is in heaven. God loves us. God is love and when we walk away from this place today let’s celebrate because my wife is where we all need to be… I love you guys, for taking time out of your day to celebrate my wife.
“We didn’t lose her,” he continued. “When you lose something, you can’t find it, I know exactly where my wife is… let’s not lose sight of what’s important: God is important, what Christ did on the cross is important.
“Everybody is praying for me and my family, which is right. But let us not forget that there were two people in this situation. And that family needs prayer as well. And we have no ill will towards that family,” he said.
Now Williams and the Suns are just two wins away from their first championship win, and the NBA coach of almost twenty years says that his faith drives his coaching style.
“The essence of my coaching is to serve,” he said during a post-game press conference. “As a believer in Christ, that’s what I’m here for. And I tell my players all the time, if I get on you, I’m not calling you out; I’m calling you up. You have potential, and I have to work my tail off to help you reach that potential.”
He added: “It’s served us well.”
Not only has Williams’ players appreciated his coaching, but the National Basketball Coaches Association also named him the coach of the year.
Despite the pain of losing his wife, Williams said that he and his family have held on to the truth that God will provide and that He is good.
“[God] is good,” he said. “He loves me. You go through a time like that and you tend to lose sight of that because you are hurting, but God is good.”
Williams has since remarried but said he is excited to see Ingrid again in heaven.
As of July 14, the Phoenix Suns are up two games to one in the NBA finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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