An impressive sophomore season has Devin Booker conjuring up images of another gifted scorer: James Harden. Head coach Earl Watson recently spoke about how he envisions Booker facilitating the Suns’ offense similar to how Harden does in Houston.
“He reminds me of a young James Harden because he plays at his own speed,” Watson told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle of the Suns guard. “He plays not fast, but it’s quick, not blazing, but [he is] somebody that dunks on you. He can shoot. He can handle. He can pass. He can post. And he has a very old game for his age. It’s exactly how James was.”
In 74 games for the Suns this season, Watson has averaged 21.9 points per game but it’s his ability to control the ball down the stretch that reminds Watson of Harden.
“I think James opens the door for him to [be a full-time point guard for the Suns],” Watson said. “You definitely see the ball in his hands down the stretch.”
- Second-year Suns coach Earl Watson is still learning the ins and outs of the job, specifically how decisions can sometimes come down from management that he doesn’t exactly agree with, Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic writes. “I was like, ‘I want to play this way. I want to win. I want to get in the playoffs.’ I never thought about players sitting or the other side of the game,” Watson said of the front office’s decision to rest certain veterans. “That was like a right hook I didn’t see coming. But I got back up. And I think our young guys have responded well.“
- Of all the things that D’Angelo Russell has improved upon in his second season, one of note is his ability to make in-game adjustments. “He’s done a good job, whether he’s making bad plays with that or missing shots, with still helping our team,” Lakers head coach Luke Walton told Mark Medina of the Orange County Register. “That is a huge step forward. It’s important you can bounce back within the game.”
- The Clippers are well aware of the fact that the pressure is on them to win in the playoffs, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register writes. “Until we do anything, that’s what it is,” Chris Paul said. “We haven’t won. It depends on what day of the week it is and who did we just beat? It’s always changing but until we do something it’s going to be the same thing.“
Watson averaging lots of points
Earl Watson is killing it as a player coach. Dude should win coach of the year for sure.
Booker seems eerily similar to young Klay thompson to me. As a die hard suns fan i am actually hoping we slip in the lottery a little to 3 or 4 and take Monk because I honestly feel he is the best player in this draft. Haven’t had a chance to see Fultz yet but the fact his team was one of the worst in the pac 12 doesn’t bode well. I think Ball cluld be good but is way too much of a headache and Monk is better than fox and Smith
You haven’t seen Fultz play so why not watch him before making judgements.
You can take some stalk in the fact that the top draft pick lead one of the worst teams in the Pac 12, not a super strong conference in basketball. You could throw me out on the floor with one of Lebron, Durant, Harden, etc. and we’d still win more games than the 76ers and Nets. The fact that Fultz couldn’t should set off some alarms. Don’t totally write him off, but take notice.
Watson kicking a$$
I love taking stalk