Monty Williams’ Post-Celtics Press Conference

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Published: March 20, 2011

I went to the post-game press conference tonight. It was my first. Before Monty came into the room, I sat quietly in the back listening to Gerry V getting briefed on the NCAA activity he missed between his soft gumblings . . . 2 of 20 . . . stuff like that.  Most of the media folks were in the back area clicking away on computers.  Very few people ended up sitting in front of Monty, making each of us very conspicuous, and some more than others . . .

When Monty arrived, he was upset. He was waaay upset. The regulars in the room were clearly taken aback. The unflappable V-man went through his routine with Monty, then Monty softly declared to Harold Kaufman that “This is the last of this,” gesturing slightly. There was no real reply. Coach took one last question, I think from the venerable Peter Finney.  There was no resistance as Monty left the podium. Following the press conference, I confirmed that this was, in fact, the most upset he’d been after any game.  No other post-game was even close. 

The notes:

He characterized this game as a playoff game.

He said Marco helped us early.

He attributed the loss to a few things: The 3rd quarter scoring, 34 second half points, falling in love with jumpers, some inexcusable plays, no sense of urgency coming out of the half, and a “nonexistent” bench.

He liked what Landry brought, but it was unable to continue after his eye was cut. 

He told the team at the half that they could not come out expecting the Celtics to just lay down for the remainder of the game. 

He says our biggest problem is not putting teams away when we have a chance to do so. 

I don’t think any of the notes was the story, though. His characterization of the bench would be the biggest thing there, but this isn’t really news.  His mood was the story.

There was a part of me that honestly thought at one point that Monty was going to stop what he was saying, point at me, and growl: “Who is that hairy jerk in the back row, and why is he in my press conference?” I didn’t do anything to let him know my jerky nature or anything.  I just sat there there quietly with 41 to my right and 43 to my left.  He emotions were just radiating.  He was like a wild man barely held back by the faint knowledge that if he let go for only a moment, if he said what he wanted to say, did what he wanted to do, that it would damage everything in he’s worked for in his life. 

I’m being completely poetic here.  I’m trying to convey the struggle the I saw, the conflict, and why the mood was so uncomfortable.  I didn’t really feel in danger.  He was not menacing anyone.  I would not, however, have taken any kind of “walkin’ around money” in exchange for even looking like I was going to ask a question.  It was a complete anti-chest-bump.  Should that Monty and chest-bump Monty shake hands, they would turn into pure energy.  Monty*c2 . . . times 2. 

The cherry on top was that he had to take a picture with two ladies (season ticket holders).  He was very polite, but didn’t smile.  They were eager before the press-conference, then anxious.

Poor dears. 

Poor Monty.

I fully expect something to change.  I don’t know what form it will take, or if I’m smart enough to see it, but I don’t think that much emotion can leave him without changing something with this team in the process.

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