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NBA: Ranking every active head coach by playing career

By Corey Rausch

March 23, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 23, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Monty Williams
Monty Williams (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Every NBA head coach ranked by playing career: 6. Monty Williams

Moving on to the possible Coach of the Year, Monty Williams was a star at Notre Dame. He was named an honorable mention All-American in his senior season when he averaged 22.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He was drafted 24th overall by the New York Knicks in the 1994 draft.

Throughout his professional career, Williams played nine seasons for the Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. He was regularly limited by injuries, specifically, a heart condition and knee issues. He finished with career averages of 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Williams followed his passion for basketball as an intern for the San Antonio Spurs before moving to the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant coach. He parlayed his time under Nate McMillan (more on him later) into the head coaching position of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans.

He would spend five semi-successful seasons there, then moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder as the associate head coach. He then took two years away from the sport before returning to the bench as an assistant for the Philadelphia 76ers. One season later, he was given another opportunity, this time with the Phoenix Suns.