DETROIT — It was obvious why the Pistons wanted Monty Williams. In nine seasons as an NBA head coach, he’d helped rebuild two teams, was named Coach of the Year, reached the playoffs five times and the Finals once. At 51, he was suddenly, surprisingly available, dismissed by the Phoenix Suns after their playoff ouster.
What was unclear, and remained unclear for several weeks, was why Williams would want the Pistons. At first, he didn’t. He needed time off, shaken by his firing and further shaken by his wife’s cancer diagnosis. Pistons GM Troy Weaver called. Owner Tom Gores reached out.
From “no way” to “find a way,” the Pistons and Williams connected and finally arrived at the same place. Hired last week, Williams was introduced Tuesday at the downtown Henry Ford Pistons Performance Center, and in the process of explaining what happened, he revealed fascinating pieces of who he is. Emotional. Thoughtful. Smart. Honest.
