Ayers, Springfield and Miami legend, heading to NBA Finals for first time in 20 years

After the game, Ayers reflected on his time with Suns head coach Monty Williams. The two appeared together at the postgame press conference.

“Well, it’s been great to be alongside this gentleman for, what is it now, seven years?” Ayers told reporters in Los Angeles. “Five in New Orleans and two here. He respects the position. And that’s really gratifying for me, to see how much work he puts into it.

“I told him today we’ll have a situation that we want to talk about at the end of the day before we all go home. I know the next day he’s put in the time to come up with a solution for that situation. And you respect that. I’ve seen that for seven years. I’ve seen the growth for seven years. So that’s really special for me to see.

“And it’s been 20 years for me to get back to this point. So you’ve got to put in the time, I guess. It’s a grind, but I’m happy to be here.”

Ayers, a 1974 North High School graduate and 1978 Miami University graduate, is a member of the hall of fame at both those schools. He was also inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Springfield News-Sun named Ayers the second-best athlete in North High School history in 2008. At Miami, Ayers ranks 25th in career scoring with 1,203 points.

In addition to stints with the Suns, 76ers (1997-2004) and Hornets (2010-15), Ayers’ NBA coaching journey has included stops in Orlando (2005-07) and Washington (2007-09). He was on Larry Brown’s staff in 2001 when the 76ers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the NBA Finals. Three years later, Ayers was named the head coach but lost his job after 52 games.

In all, Ayers has spent 19 seasons in the NBA. He has worked with Williams longer than anyone now, and the two had a moment together in the locker room before the game Wednesday. That’s why they sat together at the press conference. Williams wanted to share the story.

“Today about 2:30 we were in the locker room,” Williams said. “It was just Randy and I. I was like, ‘Man, Randy, we’re so close.’ And then Randy starts telling me what he felt about me because he’s been with me since day one in New Orleans. And I broke down before the game.”

The Suns will make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993 and will try to win their first championship against the Atlanta Hawks or Milwaukee Bucks, whose series is tied 2-2.

“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the blessings that I’ve received as a coach working with people like Randy,” Williams said, “getting to coach the players, moments like this. Just out there on the floor talking to a few of the guys, they were trying to figure out the feelings we were all having. I remember being in those moments when I was in San Antonio. It’s hard to describe. You’re just grateful for it, and we know we have more work to do.”