Monty Williams speaks with reporters pre-game; says Baynes “Puts the work in”

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams spoke with reporters ahead of the team’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Williams chimed in on the Mavs’ superstar duo and Aron Baynes’s quick rise to stardom.

Baynes stepped in as a primary contributor and starter after incumbent center, DeAndre Ayton, was suspended for 25 games.

“I think it’s just because we needed him,” says Williams on why Baynes has stepped his game up. “When you get the call on D.A and you’re about to go to Denver, it unsettles you a bit. To be able to have Aron in that spot, and not only have him but have him want that spot and step up and play well, we just needed it.”

“I’m not surprised,” continued Williams. “I mean, he puts the work in. When he played in Boston, he didn’t have to all of this because of the team make-up.”

When asked about his biggest takeaway from Mavericks’ point guard Luka Doncic’s game, Williams starts by saying: “I don’t think I’m going to hit you with anything enlightening. He’s just a really good player.”

“How do you describe that,” continued Williams. “He’s versatile. He’s timely. Big. He makes plays in the moment. To me, the guys that are elite in this league are the guys that see every coverage. Every defensive player. You kind of know what they’re going to do and they still get it done. He’s moving into that category where everyone’s not surprised by him anymore and he’s still putting up these video game numbers.”

Williams also speaks on Kristaps Porzingis in the video above.