Earl Watson talks about Suns

[Mainstreet]

Earl Watson gives a great interview on 98.7 radio today. Anyone who wants to get more insight into the workings of the Suns needs to listen. Watson covers the spectrum from team workouts, yoga, discussion about draft picks, players and summer league. He covers it all. The interview starts at about the 1:00 mark and runs about 19 minutes.

When Watson is first asked about Josh Jackson he starts talking about Davon Reed. Watson describes Reed as a great shooter, the ability to be a great defender and a great, great player that will impact the Suns future. Wow. No wonder the Suns drafted him at #32 if they feel this way.

He also talks about building a relationship with players in college to even get a workout with them come draft time.

A lot of good stuff.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1160447/earl-watson-wants-dragan-bender-play-little-point-guard/

 

[Hoop Head]

Watson recently said he wants to see Bender play some point guard. Bender isn't your usual big but I can't see him excelling in a position like that.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1160447/earl-watson-wants-dragan-bender-play-little-point-guard/

 

[elindholm]

Watson recently said he wants to see Bender play some point guard.

I wonder whether Watson is of anything approaching normal intelligence. All evidence suggests otherwise.

 

[hsandhu]

I heard the interview, he didn't say he wanted bender playing point guard, he said he wanted to see bender grab defense rebounds and push it in summer league... to see if that is something he can get good at.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

I wonder whether Watson is of anything approaching normal intelligence. All evidence suggests otherwise.

LOL

 

[3rdside]

.

 

[Mainstreet]

I heard the interview, he didn't say he wanted bender playing point guard, he said he wanted to see bender grab defense rebounds and push it in summer league... to see if that is something he can get good at.

This was my interpretation as well. Bender has the ability to grab a defensive rebound and start the fast break and finish it as well. He does have point guard skills so the idea is not far fetched.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He also said he wants Chriss to focus on rebounding rather than scoring in summer league. He wants to him get double digit boards.

I agree with this. For Chriss to be a truly great pf, he has to improve his rebounding significantly

 

[Mainstreet]

Another thing that struck be about the interview is that Watson bonds with the players, not only when they become a Suns player but in college as well. This may have been crucial in the Suns landing Josh Jackson and the Celtics not even getting a chance to work him out. Watson feels recruitment efforts with players begins in college and will be the thing of the future as players try to guide which teams that draft them.

Also Watson has Suns players doing voluntary workouts in Phoenix and doing yoga which tells me the players have bought into the team concept. Players for other teams are not routinely working out together in the off season which speaks volumes.

 

[Mainstreet]

Watson really likes Josh Jackson but I was floored how much he thinks of Davon Reed. He thinks Reed will definitely impact the Suns both now and into the future.

If true, the Suns struck gold with the 32nd pick. Expect the Suns to sign him to a four year contract like Ulis.

 

[Yuma]

Bender has some handles, but he is slow compared to other NBA point guard defenders. Against big guys I could see it, but if there is a switch, I would have to see how that would work.

 

[Mainstreet]

He also said he wants Chriss to focus on rebounding rather than scoring in summer league. He wants to him get double digit boards.

I agree with this. For Chriss to be a truly great pf, he has to improve his rebounding significantly

Chriss averaged 9.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in his rookie season. If he could at least double his rebounds this would be huge. Chriss' play was impressive for a rookie.

 

[Bodha]

We need to scrap this guy and get a real coach in here. He is so clearly a stopgap and we have a young team that needs a leader.

Maybe we can entice Sean Miller up from Tucson. Just throw bags of cash at him

 

[leclerc]

Overall the Suns must improve their player development. Get better guys in there and consistently evaluate the process. Len and Goodwin are examples of where they went wrong. Was it just the players (talent, desire, effort, willingness) or could some elements be improved?

 

[hsandhu]

Overall the Suns must improve their player development. Get better guys in there and consistently evaluate the process. Len and Goodwin are examples of where they went wrong. Was it just the players (talent, desire, effort, willingness) or could some elements be improved?

You're right suns have shown inability to develop and improve really young players these last couple of hears, I mean with the exception of tj warren, devin booker, marquese chriss, tyler ulis and alan williams.

 

[Superbone]

I wonder whether Watson is of anything approaching normal intelligence. All evidence suggests otherwise.

I don't think so. I think he has above average intelligence. But go ahead and have your fun. It's always fun to berate others to make you feel good about yourself.