"I Just Shook My Head": Suns Coach Responds To Crowder Complaints


Jae Crowder is still sitting at home, waiting for a trade from the Phoenix Suns. And he came out swinging this week, saying he was "blindsided" and "hurt" by the coaches' lack of respect for him and the team's alleged plans to run him out of town. But now Suns head coach Monty Williams has his own response to Crowder's latest comments:

"When I saw it, I just kind of shook my head... I care about everybody that has played for us... So when people say stuff like that it's a direct shot (at me)."

"The thing that I've been consistent with is the stuff that goes on here, stays here," Williams said. "I'm not one to use the media to get a point across. It's just not my way. It's not how we do business. We respect everybody that has played for us. I think that's by and large if you talk to anybody that's been through our program, they'd tell you the same thing. 

"When I see stuff like that, I just keep it moving," he continued. "My focus is on the guys who are here. I have a great deal of respect and love for everybody that's played for us because I understand what it takes to play in this league.

"It's unfortunate, but you have to focus on what you have to do. That doesn't mean you don't care about guys. But... when I saw it, I just kind of shook my head... I care about everybody that has played for us."

Before the season, sources indicated that Crowder was upset with Cam Johnson being handed the starting power forward job over him, and that the two sides "mutually" agreed to find a new home for him. 

Crowder will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. But in the meantime, the Suns are paying him to stay home, and the team is having its depth seriously tested due to a rash of injuries. The Suns are 21-23, losers of eight of their last ten.

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