Boasting a star-studded lineup, the Phoenix Suns were widely favored to seize the title this time. However, the Suns’ title run came to an abrupt end at the hands of the Denver Nuggets who eliminated them in Game 6. After the exit, Devin Booker‘s side was forced to make major decisions for the coming season. The first thing the franchise did after the loss was to fire their head coach, Monty Williams. The move came as a shocker for many, including the 2003 NBA champion Stephen Jackson. Williams’ sacking has not only shocked Stephen Jackson, but has also angered him.
The veteran apparently slammed the Phoenix side for the move. However, Jackson’s take has not gone down well with many NBA enthusiasts.
Ex-NBA champion bashes Devin Booker’s Phoenix Suns
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It has not been so many days since Devin Booker faced fans’ fury for not addressing the media. Now Stephen Jackson has unleashed another episode of backlash towards Booker’s team as they sacked Monty Williams. The 2022 NBA Coach of the Year played a crucial role in shaping the Suns from an underwhelming side to a Western Conference powerhouse. Nonetheless, the Suns’ owner Matt Ishbia has now shown the door to Williams.
On an episode of?IAM ATHLETE?podcast, Stephen Jackson has expressed his disagreements towards the Suns for firing Monty Williams. The ex-NBA champion thought that it would have been better if the Suns team were given another year to try to run for glory again. Moreover, he never thought the Suns would fire Williams after the upset. Then, Jackson went on to make the critique even harsh. ?When teams come together like this, they quick to go and find a white coach, just throw him in that position so he can get all the credit,??Stephen Jackson said.
The former NBA Champion also explained how, according to him, things are tougher for a black coach to make their way in the league. “They[Suns] did Monty wrong,” the 45-year-old added.
A snippet of Jackson’s tirade is now a hit on Twitter after NBA Central tweeted it. Numerous fans rushed in to Twitter to listen to Jackson’s take. Most of them, however, seem to disagree with his take.
Fans call out Stephen Jackson for his take on the Suns
Unlike Stephen Jackson, many fans are ready to accept the fact that Monty Williams had been fired and move on. What has triggered fans’ fury here is the fact that Jackson brought in race to the discussion. Numerous fans called him out for doing so. A fan said,?“i?m black and this is maybe the most ridiculous take i?ve ever heard.”
https://twitter.com/vinny_weston/status/1658266872171888640?s=46&t=Do-snNjAPXd1DLLspQx2sA
A fan raised this concern.
https://twitter.com/supszns/status/1658261905847488512
This fan gave Jackson a subtle reality check and name dropped the front runner to take the hot seat at the Footprint Center.
isnt Ty Lue the front runner to replace Monty Williams?
Last time I checked he's black
— RZN Bryan (@rzn_bryan) May 16, 2023
Different fan, similar response. Another fan reiterated the above point, focused on the LA Clippers’ Head Coach
Their main target is Ty Lue😂 I don’t think it has ANYTHING to do w race
— Jerry Johnson (@jerryrayyy) May 16, 2023
This fan does not even want to hear Stephen Jackson anymore.
You guys don’t have to keep posting Stephen Jackson anymore, we’re good
— THUMP3R (@THUMP3R__) May 16, 2023
It seems like the Suns fans have taken the franchise’s decision on the chin, unlike Jackson.
As a Suns fan I feel this is a bad take, something had to change and it had to be the coach
— Stark (@EasyMoneyStark) May 16, 2023
Unhappy fans came with more reality checks for Jackson who brought in race.
Their GM is James Jones who is black
— Kip Smithers (@AJ91824209) May 16, 2023
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A fan agreed and disagreed with Stephen Jackson.
I agree that they did monty wrong but he made no sense breaking down the race part
— Chris M. (@_1chrishuncho) May 16, 2023
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What do you think about Stephen Jackson’s take? Who do you think will replace Monty Williams as the Suns’ head coach?
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