Sun sets on Williams' Phoenix tenure

The Phoenix Suns fired Monty Williams on Saturday, two years after reaching the NBA Finals and a year after he was the overwhelming choice as coach of the year.

Williams had great success in his four regular seasons in Phoenix, winning 63 percent of his games. But three consecutive years of playoff frustration was likely too much for the Suns to overlook — especially after two straight years of Phoenix trailing by 30 points at halftime of elimination games at home.

"Monty has been foundational to our success over the past four seasons," said James Jones, the Suns' president of basketball operations and general manager. "We are filled with gratitude for everything Monty has contributed to the Suns and to the Valley community."