Suns Name Earl Watson as Head Coach

[carey]

Suns Family,

A short time ago, our organization announced that Earl Watson has become the 18th head coach in Phoenix SUns history, a position he has earnedin every sense of the word. The same leadership Earl displayed during his own playing days has translated to his time on the sidelenes, and it's that leadership which makes him the right person to guide our basketball team moving forward.

Since taking over in February, Earl's coaching style has resonated extremely well with our players. Under his direciton, our team has shown consistent progress on both ends of the court and our players have competed with a level of energy that you should expect to see every night. While Earl's focus has been on mental toughness, togetherness and family, he has provided our young players with the confidence necessary to succeed in this league. As a result, we have begun winning basketball games as well. Make no mistake that is the ultimate goal, and Earl has us moving in the right direciton.

Perhaps most importantly, Earl has created an environment where he demands accountability and expects excellence. He is transparent with our players, providing the extra ounce of motivation when needed, but also the tough, constructive feedback to help them grow. Our basketball family has become stronger as a result. We are confident he will have the same impact on the players we add through the Draft and fee agency this summer, as we continue to build a team that returns to the Playoffs consistently and one you can be proud of.

While the 2015-16 season wasn't what we expected, I want to thank you for your unwavering support. Today's announcement is another step in shaping the bright future of SUns basketball and we hope the news finds you as excited about the future as we are. It's going to be another busy summer and I look forward to seeing you at events in the weeks and months ahead.

Go Suns!

Ryan McDonough
Suns General Manager

When I saw the above e-mail sent to fans I knew that they had not even interviewed anyone else. Then Coro's tweet confirmed it.
https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/722547879676485632

[Shabazz]

As a result, we have begun winning basketball games as well.

Our second to last game of the season we lost to an atrocious Kings team that was resting its best players and had quit on their coach.

[Gladiator]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /83264606/

From Coro's story:

Watson’s relative affordability as a rookie coach was not a factor because they had the budget for an “elite” coach.

Okaaaaaaaay.

Teletovic, Brandon Knight, Devin Booker and Ronnie Price attended Watson’s introductory press conference Tuesday.

Don't love that quartet as the face of the Suns for the announcement (Booker being the exception, of course)

And this is the "why Watson" explanation, which in my opinion, doesn't stand up to rigorous scrutiny.

The Suns received criticism in league circles for not conducting interviews, but McDonough said the player support was not an “overwhelming factor.” They spent 2 ½ months researching a prospect list of ex-coaches, assistant coaches, college coaches and no-experience coaches and kept coming back to Watson, who is represented by the same agency, Klutch Sports Group, as Bledsoe.

“He was the same guy as an assistant,” Knight said of Watson’s motivational, positive ways. “I think the veterans and the players on our team recognize and realize that, and that’s why we respect him so much.”

Watson went 9-24 as head coach but was not judged on his record given the team’s predicament with Markieff Morris’ trade, which Watson assisted by setting up Morris’ best stretch of play, and injuries to Bledsoe, Knight, T.J. Warren and others.

He also did not solely impress the Suns with intangibles. He showed coaching acumen, often citing John Wooden and Hubie Brown as his greatest influences. Watson was a projected coach throughout his playing career, coaching the clubs he sponsors in offseasons and joining Portland’s coaching meetings in his last season as a player. He showed tactical ability in the hot seat, implementing more presses than usual in the NBA and catching McDonough’s attention on March 14 with three time-out plays (two worked; Booker lost the ball on one).

[Indy]

As a result, we have begun winning basketball games as well.

Our second to last game of the season we lost to an atrocious Kings team that was resting its best players and had quit on their coach.

That statement just means we won more than 1 game. Woo hoo.

[Shabazz]

Watson, who is represented by the same agency, Klutch Sports Group, as Bledsoe.

yay.

[carey]

I'm just so disappointed.

[Superbone]

As a result, we have begun winning basketball games as well.

Our second to last game of the season we lost to an atrocious Kings team that was resting its best players and had quit on their coach.

And beat a Rockets team desperate for wins in Houston the game before. What's your point? Young teams are inconsistent.

[Ring_Wanted]

I'll give Watson a real chance before I lynch the move (and apparent lack of interest in alternatives). I'm not as down on this as most, but I reckon players don't always know what's best for a team or themselves. Since he cited Hubie Brown as an influence, we'll see how they love him if he sets a 10-11 man rotation and the minutes are not what some players may expect. Also, can't wait to see this accountability they speak of when the lack of effort on defense and stupid TOs inevitably take over for stretches.

[Mori Chu]

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?

I mean, name one thing he is good at. "Motivating" players? Being "inspirational"? What does he do well as an NBA coach?

Also, the lack of any interview process, the fact that they didn't even try to interview any other candidates, the fact that they happen to hire the incumbent guy on the cheap ... Horrible.

[ShelC]

had a 2 1/2-month process examining candidates.

They had their minds made up.

Watson, who is represented by the same agency, Klutch Sports Group, as Bledsoe.

There ya go.

[Hermen]

At least they're not interviewing Mark Jackson and Sam Mitchell... Kings are such poor bastards

[Indy]

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?

I mean, name one thing he is good at. "Motivating" players? Being "inspirational"? What does he do well as an NBA coach?

Also, the lack of any interview process, the fact that they didn't even try to interview any other candidates, the fact that they happen to hire the incumbent guy on the cheap ... Horrible.

Their lack of doing their job shouldn't reflect on him. I'm wondering what he has done that makes you not like him.

[djy2j]

I'm not damning him in hopes that Watson fails, I hope he is very very successful here, but as others have mentioned, there is a process you go through when naming a head coach. And it ain't "examining potential candidates over a 2 1/2 month time period" as opposed to actually interviewing them. That is lazy.

One extreme to the other. Dithering too long on decisions earlier in the year then having no decision making process at all. The Suns front office has the demeanor of a heroin addict. It's laughable that they call themselves professionals.

I can draw up 3 plays. I can. Does that make me a coach? By Suns standards, yes. Yes it does.

[Hermen]

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?

I mean, name one thing he is good at. "Motivating" players? Being "inspirational"? What does he do well as an NBA coach?

Also, the lack of any interview process, the fact that they didn't even try to interview any other candidates, the fact that they happen to hire the incumbent guy on the cheap ... Horrible.

Their lack of doing their job shouldn't reflect on him. I'm wondering what he has done that makes you not like him.

He's a Klutcher!

[Indy]

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?

I mean, name one thing he is good at. "Motivating" players? Being "inspirational"? What does he do well as an NBA coach?

Also, the lack of any interview process, the fact that they didn't even try to interview any other candidates, the fact that they happen to hire the incumbent guy on the cheap ... Horrible.

Their lack of doing their job shouldn't reflect on him. I'm wondering what he has done that makes you not like him.

He's a Klutcher!

That's fair!

Although it seems that is a smart ploy. It seems to be working out well for their clients.

[Mori Chu]

Their lack of doing their job shouldn't reflect on him. I'm wondering what he has done that makes you not like him.

He just seems like one of many coaches in the league who is just "there." I don't think he employs much strategy on either end of the floor. I haven't seen a lot of interesting plays or defensive schemes or general complexity to convince me that he is doing much more than rolling the ball out and cheerleading out there. I'm not saying he is uniquely bad in that way; many coaches suffer the same flaws. But those others are also bad. I asked previously, what tangible coaching thing does he do well? I think being unable to answer that question is a good sign that he is an unimpressive coach.

[djy2j]

Another thought: Gosh, I'd hate for them to hire a coach that would upset the players in such a way that causes them to play poorly and lose games There's a few players on this team that need a heavy dose of reality on what a winning attitude is. I don't think any player on a 23 win team should have a say in who the next coach is. Sorry, just my 2 cents.

[Indy]

Their lack of doing their job shouldn't reflect on him. I'm wondering what he has done that makes you not like him.

He just seems like one of many coaches in the league who is just "there." I don't think he employs much strategy on either end of the floor. I haven't seen a lot of interesting plays or defensive schemes or general complexity to convince me that he is doing much more than rolling the ball out and cheerleading out there. I'm not saying he is uniquely bad in that way; many coaches suffer the same flaws. But those others are also bad. I asked previously, what tangible coaching thing does he do well? I think being unable to answer that question is a good sign that he is an unimpressive coach.

I am not arguing that he is qualified for the job, or better said, qualified to be a better than average coach. I am wondering who you don't like him, not why you don't like the hire.

[Indy]

Another thought: Gosh, I'd hate for them to hire a coach that would upset the players in such a way that causes them to play poorly and lose games There's a few players on this team that need a heavy dose of reality on what a winning attitude is. I don't think any player on a 23 win team should have a say in who the next coach is. Sorry, just my 2 cents.

I am fine if they want to get their feedback. It is good info to have. Any maybe they are thinking they have a better chance to keep Booker after his 4th year if Watson is still around if he loves him. But having that be your primary input? It worries me.

And just not interviewing ANYONE? Not one person? That tells us either we are going after the easy choice, or that nobody wants to do that job. Either way, we are not in a good spot.

[Sunsfan4life]

I'm not a fan of this move, but it's whatever. Would of loved a guy who's won every where he's been like Jay Wright. I haven't seen enough of Watson with a healthy roster to judge him, but 9-24 with some very lopsided losses wasn't that encouraging.

On to the draft lotto