Suns Name Earl Watson as Head Coach

[Superbone]

How so?

[carey]

How so?

That's what we're basing his coaching ability on? That he was able to draw up a couple of plays that worked against an abysmally coached Timberwolves team. Hooray? I'm not even sure McDonough buys what he's selling right now.

[Superbone]

How so?

That's what we're basing his coaching ability on? That he was able to draw up a couple of plays that worked against an abysmally coached Timberwolves team. Hooray? I'm not even sure McDonough buys what he's selling right now.

He didn't say it's the only thing he based it on. It was just one example.

[Indy]

Why is Watson pointing out that Booker dropped the ball? Tough love?

[Wally_West]

Why is Watson pointing out that Booker dropped the ball? Tough love?

It was McDonough who pointed it out and he said it jokingly.

[Wally_West]

How so?

That's what we're basing his coaching ability on? That he was able to draw up a couple of plays that worked against an abysmally coached Timberwolves team. Hooray? I'm not even sure McDonough buys what he's selling right now.

He didn't say it's the only thing he based it on. It was just one example.

Yep. He was just giving an example.

[carey]

Are there others? Besides being able to win over Doug & Wolf?

[Shabazz]

I'm not as down on this move as others provided Watson is given the time to build this from the ground up/doesn't have some mandate to make the playoffs immediately AND he gets a few Ron Adams/Thibs-under-doc types to fill out his staff and help him construct a functioning offense and defense.

I didn't see much from him on the Xs-and-Os side and was particularly discouraged when he responded to a question about the Len-Chandler pairing not working with The Dude's "well, that's just like your opinion, man" (No, it wasn't. They literally had the one of worst offensive ratings of any duo in the NBA). I was also discouraged by how often he seemed to run post-ups, an inefficient enough play on it's own, for two players who are not good at scoring at post ups. The NBA is moving away from a lot of the stuff he was running this year. I don't want a stodgy "analytics are just fancy stats" type as our coach. The best coaches embrace analytics and I have my concerns about Watson's respect for them. As long as he has an open mind...

I will acknowledge a few things:
- Watson seems to have a natural leadership ability and a way of connecting with players that is rare among NBA coaches. Even if the players weren't playing smart, they were playing hard. We just need to work on the other half of the equation.
- Developing a functioning offense and defense with our hodge-podge roster halfway through this abortion of a season is something even the most seasoned coach would have had a hard time doing.
- Cognitive dissonance is a powerful thing.

[Shabazz]

Also, I can't support the fact that they didn't wait to weeks and interview a few other candidates. What was the rush? We have a while before draft workouts. Maybe Memphis lets Joerger go. Maybe someone stands out even more in the interview process. Why so half-assed? Were they worried about hurting Watson's feelings?

[Superbone]

Why is Watson pointing out that Booker dropped the ball? Tough love?

It was McDonough who pointed it out and he said it jokingly.

Yeah, and Book was there. As well as Teletovich, Knight, and Price, I believe.

[Superbone]

Are there others? Besides being able to win over Doug & Wolf?

Does Boivin count?

[virtual9mm]

Also, I can't support the fact that they didn't wait to weeks and interview a few other candidates. What was the rush? We have a while before draft workouts. Maybe Memphis lets Joerger go. Maybe someone stands out even more in the interview process. Why so half-assed? Were they worried about hurting Watson's feelings?

Well, at least you can't complain about the Suns waiting on unrealistic targets and letting their own free agents slip away. Shows that McD is learning something about human resource management.

I'm willing to give Watson a shot. It's not like anyone else would have taken this job anyway.

[Superbone]

I appreciate your balanced take, 'Bazz.

[Gladiator]

Also, I can't support the fact that they didn't wait to weeks and interview a few other candidates. What was the rush? We have a while before draft workouts. Maybe Memphis lets Joerger go. Maybe someone stands out even more in the interview process. Why so half-assed? Were they worried about hurting Watson's feelings?

My memory on the details is a bit hazy, but did they do the same thing when they hired Hornacek?

[Mori Chu]

Don't like Watson and don't like this news. He is a coach the players like, but I don't see much else from him to warrant any excitement. We didn't even try to look at other candidates. Why not?

[Indy]

Also, I can't support the fact that they didn't wait to weeks and interview a few other candidates. What was the rush? We have a while before draft workouts. Maybe Memphis lets Joerger go. Maybe someone stands out even more in the interview process. Why so half-assed? Were they worried about hurting Watson's feelings?

This is my problem. I think I was one of the very first people on here to say that I loved what Watson was saying, and completely supported his philosophy. I just haven't seen actual game coaching that made me think he was at least average at it.

But since they did hire him, I absolutely wish him the best. I hope he turns into the best coach we have ever had, and makes Ryan and Sarver look smart.

[Indy]

Don't like Watson and don't like this news. He is a coach the players like, but I don't see much else from him to warrant any excitement. We didn't even try to look at other candidates. Why not?

Just curious, but how do you not like the guy? I get thinking he is in over his head, but what has he done to make you dislike him?

[Indy]

Why is Watson pointing out that Booker dropped the ball? Tough love?

It was McDonough who pointed it out and he said it jokingly.

Got it. Thanks. Makes a big difference.

[Shabazz]

Also, I can't support the fact that they didn't wait to weeks and interview a few other candidates. What was the rush? We have a while before draft workouts. Maybe Memphis lets Joerger go. Maybe someone stands out even more in the interview process. Why so half-assed? Were they worried about hurting Watson's feelings?

My memory on the details is a bit hazy, but did they do the same thing when they hired Hornacek?

They did a thorough search before they hired Hornacek. Interviewed quite a few coaches, including Lindsey Hunter.

[Gladiator]

Also, I can't support the fact that they didn't wait to weeks and interview a few other candidates. What was the rush? We have a while before draft workouts. Maybe Memphis lets Joerger go. Maybe someone stands out even more in the interview process. Why so half-assed? Were they worried about hurting Watson's feelings?

My memory on the details is a bit hazy, but did they do the same thing when they hired Hornacek?

They did a thorough search before they hired Hornacek. Interviewed quite a few coaches, including Lindsey Hunter.

Thanks. I knew I couldn't trust my memory!