Five years later, when Jeff Van Gundy remembers the wake for Suns coach Monty Williams’ wife Ingrid Williams, he still gets choked up.
Ingrid, 44, was killed in 2016 when her automobile was struck head-on in Oklahoma. Her spouse and their five children, who ranged in age from five to seventeen, survived.
Van Gundy was present at Williams’ wedding as well as his funeral, where Williams delivered his eloquent eulogy.
Van Gundy can’t stop thinking about that day even though he was in Las Vegas over the weekend assisting the American Olympic coaching team with their preparations for the Summer Games later this month.
Van Gundy told The Post, “He’s a guy of deep faith, as evidenced by one of the greatest, most elegant speeches he gave at the service. “I recall observing his kids. They were incredible. He’s a great man, in my opinion. It was from him that I learned. I observe him.
Williams’ first hands-on NBA coach was Van Gundy, who was Pat Riley’s assistant when the Knicks selected Williams with the 24th overall pick in the 1994 Notre Dame draft.
Van Gundy’s main responsibility was to work early in the morning before practice with the two rookies, Charlie Ward and Williams, as well as the newcomer, Doug Christie.
Williams was well-known at the time for almost losing his basketball career due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Defibrillator was stationed courtside for Van Gundy and Williams’ training.
Williams’ incredibly circuitous journey culminates on Tuesday night in the NBA Finals, where he expertly guided the Suns to their first postseason appearance since 1993.
Van Gundy remarked, “I’m so happy for Monty when I watch him.” “He ought to be really pleased with himself.”
Van Gundy claimed that Williams has taught him more about dignity than any athlete he has ever coached. Van Gundy will broadcast the Bucks-Suns Finals on ABC.
Van Gundy continued, “He and Charlie were so dedicated to their profession, their families, and their friends.” “They have both continued. Charlie is still a close friend of Monty even though he doesn’t always get the attention.
Williams was only with the Knicks for two seasons when they traded him to San Antonio in order to free up cap money. Van Gundy believes the heart problem had a role in Williams’ NBA career not taking off the way it has compared to his coaching career.
Williams’ career was thought to have finished with the finding of a heart murmur, and he did not play collegiate ball for two years. His form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was later found to be less severe by more advanced testing, and certain symptoms even magically disappeared. Williams’ career continued.
As a result, he was picked considerably lower, according to Van Gundy. “Whenever he was present, a defibrillator was located near the court. For him, it was a hardship. I hold him not responsible. He still had a great deal of testing to complete.
Williams claimed that joining Riley’s championship-caliber Knicks after college was an abrupt adjustment to the NBA. He averaged 6.4 points before retiring in 2003 due to a persistent knee problem. For five different teams, he played for nine seasons.
“I learned how to adjust to demanding environments from [Riley],” Williams remarked on Saturday. They were competing for championships when I arrived. Every practice, meeting, and film session was of the highest caliber. Not a single day of practice was spent aimlessly. There was a reason we were playing. I was really impressed by his endurance to come in every day with that kind of attitude. Every day he was incredibly prepared and focused. Not only was he a fantastic motivator, but he also made sense conceptually. throughout the entire game. Being in that setting taught me a lot.
It would take Van Gundy a few more seasons to become the head coach of the Knicks; he was just in his third NBA season. As a rookie, Williams started 23 games. Van Gundy claimed that Williams’ shooting problems led to his demise.
Van Gundy remarked, “We were pretty much tied at the hip.” He was able to play after all. Charlie spent 40 minutes playing every year. Monty was athletic, gritty, and physically prepared for the NBA. He was prepared to play NBA basketball and intelligent.
After overcoming all obstacles, securing a new coaching position, and guiding the Suns to a 51-21 record in his second season, it’s difficult not to support the former Pelicans head coach.
