
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 17, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams gestures on the sidelines against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half during game five of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Jul 17, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams gestures on the sidelines against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half during game five of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since the Lakers made such big moves in the offseason, the West seems more competitive than ever. This is a team, which might be the oldest in the NBA right now, and has had to face criticism for it as well, but on paper, this is the super team to look out for. With LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, and Carmelo Anthony, chances of another team surpassing them looks bleak. Does this also mean the Phoenix Suns, who were inches away from winning the NBA Finals last year?
Monty Williams has faith in the Phoenix Suns over Lakers
In the most recent interview with Monty Williams, he was asked about his opinion on where the Phoenix Suns stand in the Western Conference considering the Lakers’ new roster. In fact, the Lakers were the ones who left the postseason early and the Suns reached the Finals, yet it is the purple and gold who are making headlines instead of them.
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To this, Monty responded, “Yeah, I haven’t watched much lately because I’ve been trying to process what we’ve gone through. I need time to dive into our team, learn our new players. I’ve been meeting with the coaches, just talking about how to approach this year because this is an unknown with such a short rest. But the West is tough. But every year the West is tough.”
Williams even explained that the Lakers might be the favorites to win the title with this new superteam, but that doesn’t change anything. “Some people didn’t even have us making the playoffs, even with Chris. So that part doesn’t bother me at all, because you have to play the games and you have to go through the grind and you ain’t gonna win because somebody said you’re going to win,” he said.

USA Today via Reuters
May 30, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) passes the ball against Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) and guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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It’s not the publicity but the hard work that will help them win
Williams is one who doesn’t get scared by the way the team looks. He goes by the perception that if a team has to win, it will, no matter what. The Lakers might be looking better than them and the others, but that doesn’t dismiss the hunger the other teams have to win.
“I’m looking at teams that are hungry just like us who were on the outside, teams like Sac, you know. That’s a team that’s going to come after your head next year. Houston. I’m watching all the additions that they’ve made,” said Williams.

USA Today via Reuters
Jun 1, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after suffering an injury against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half during game five in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Looks like whatever the others are doing is the least of his concerns, as it should be. If the Suns continue to put up performances as good as last season, even the Lakers should be worried.
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