Monty Williams sees ‘many speeds’ when facing Doncic, Irving

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams was asked Sunday about the challenges of playing the Dallas Mavericks when a reporter suggested they have three speeds – one with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the floor together, one when Doncic is on the floor sans Irving, and one with Irving on the floor without Doncic.

“I’m glad you only see three speeds,” Williams said. “I see so many speeds out there. The challenges are immense just because you have two guys that basically take up two players when they have the ball – sometimes three.

“And then you have an elite player on the backside that you’re worried about when the ball swings and you’ve got to shift that defense over to those guys.”

Williams had a unique way of explaining those challenges when it comes to trying to contain Doncic and Irving.

“It kind of reminds you of football in a way,” he said. “Your packages change from nickel to cover-two to pack the box so they can’t run and that kind of thing.

“That’s what great players do. They’re just difficult. When you watch the film you’re like, ‘How do you shift throughout the game and keep those guys from being effective?’ ”

Williams was asked to compare the co-starring role Jalen Brunson played alongside Doncic in the playoffs against Phoenix last season to the role Irving has today with the Mavs.

“I would never call any of those guys co-stars,” Williams said. “You can put two guys on both sides of the floor and they just demand a ton of attention. Comparing guys? I wouldn’t want to get involved in that.

“But Kyrie Irving is a guy who, he’s a champion, he’s a USA Olympian, he’s done everything. The number of discussions that we’ve had as a staff always leads us back to the same things. You’ve got to do your best, hope they miss and not give them everything.”

Everything, Williams said, as in: “You don’t want to give extra possessions. That’s where (Maxi) Kleber and (Dwight) Powell and Josh Green are balling. So you can’t give those guys everything.

“Luka and Kyrie are going to dominate a lot of your time, but you also got to respect the guys around them.”

During the Suns’ 130-126 triumph over the Mavs on Sunday, Doncic contributed 34 points, nine rebounds and four assists, and Irving finished with 30 points, four rebounds and seven assists.

“For years, (Doncic and Irving have) been really good – off the ball, on the ball,” Williams said. “I think the thing that no one talks about is how they make it, not easier, but more efficient for the guys around them. The recipient so far has been (Reggie) Bullock. He’s been getting a number of corner threes.

“They’re at the top in that category. That’s what great players do. I always hear this term – this guy makes everybody better. As if the guy that’s on the NBA floor is not good player. But I do think great players create more open shots for people around them, and I think that’s what those guys do.”

BRIEFLY: In reacting to last month’s blockbuster trade that brought Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns, Mavs coach Jason Kidd said of the Suns: “They’ve got one of the top players in the world. Just understanding to be able to have him and (Devin) Booker and CP (Chris Paul) and (Deandre) Ayton out there on the floor, it’s hard to double-team. They put a lot of pressure on you offensively. And then defensively, they have a system where they can use their length, and they’ve got guys out there that understand what their roles are and they’re playing their roles at a high level. They’re playing extremely well. It’s early with Durant, but they’re a team that’s only going to get better as they go forward.” . . .Mavs center/forward Maxi Kleber was inactive after playing two games since his return from a right hamstring tear. . .Mavs forward Davis Bertans was on the active roster for the first time since suffering a left calf strain in the Jan. 12 game against the Detroit Pistons. What did the Mavs miss by not having Bertans on the floor for the 12 games which he missed? “His shooting,” Kidd said. “I think his spirit — when you talk about Davis — and playing hard. I think he will help us play faster with the way he gets out and runs the floor. It’s good that he’s back.” Davis didn’t play in Sunday’s game against the Suns . . . Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase sat courtside during Sunday’s game.  Chase received a handshake from Suns forward Kevin Durant during a stoppage of play in the fourth quarter. Mavs Man also got Chase to autograph a football, which Mavs Man tossed into the stands as a souvenir for a lucky fan.

Twitter: @DwainPrice