Earl Watson Wants Out of Seattle

Kidd · 01-26-2008, 08:33 AM

Backup PG Option?

Watson’s frustration surfaces amid skid

Quote:

Usually outspoken when he has something on his mind, Seattle SuperSonics point guard Earl Watson mostly kept his thoughts to himself while his team struggled through a 12-game losing streak.

Until now.

After practice Thursday, Watson spoke openly about how he’s coping with the team’s rebuilding process, saying he’s not sure where he fits into the Sonics’ plans.

“I’m upset after every loss,” he said. “The tension obviously builds for me after every loss. You always want your career to take steps forward. For me, winning is a big thing, especially after some of the transactions we made last summer (trading cornerstones Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis).

“You know, we gave up a lot. At the same time, I want to win. I’m not trying to go through rebuilding years, plural. I want to win. I think fans want their team to win, and fans pay money to see their team win. We all want to win, we’re all in it together, but at the same time it is what it is.”

Despite the team’s difficulties on the court, Watson has reached a benchmark this season, starting 36 games – the most he has started in a season. Watson is averaging 8.4 points and 6.3 assists per game.

Coach P.J. Carlesimo said he is pleased with Watson’s play, and Sonics management sees him as one of team’s most reliable players. Watson has not missed a game this season because of injury.

“I think Earl’s doing very well,” Carlesimo said. “I think he’s been consistent. And I think he’s played well all year.”

Still, Watson didn’t play in the final minutes of the past two games – which had him upset to the point Seattle general manager Sam Presti had a few words with him after a loss to Houston on Wednesday.

Watson, 28, said he doesn’t know if he fits into the Sonics’ long-term plans. His name has come up in trade speculation with the Feb. 21 deadline approaching. He will earn $5.8 million this season, $6.2 next season and $6.6 million in the final year of his contract.

“The business side of me, you have to think about things like that,” Watson said. “They’re evaluating you, and you are evaluating where you fit in the long-term picture. I’ve never even had that confirmed that I fit in the long-term picture.”

**Claudius** · 01-26-2008, 08:40 AM

Personally, I've never liked Earl Watson. I think he's a decent player, but his contract is a killer and I've never seen him as putting a "team" first attitude on. He's alwasy been more of a me first player imo.

**thriller92** · 01-26-2008, 01:24 PM

I dont see Earl as me first at all. You rarely see the guy pull a Mike James and jack up shots out of the offence. Most of his points come off drive and kick or fast break buckets, and hes a pretty good passer and very solid defender. He's the player Boston needs.

**Acie** · 01-26-2008, 01:49 PM

Earl's too poor of a shooter to be like Mike James. To me he's a rich man's Milt Palacio

**Claudius** · 01-26-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thriller92

I dont see Earl as me first at all. You rarely see the guy pull a Mike James and jack up shots out of the offence. Most of his points come off drive and kick or fast break buckets, and hes a pretty good passer and very solid defender. He's the player Boston needs.

Yeah, it's just my perception of him. I don't think offensively he's a me first player but I think his attitude towards a team is like that. I remember that's why he left Seattle the first time to go to Memphis was because he wanted to go to a team that "respected" him and would let him shine etc. I've just never been high on him.

moremilk · 01-26-2008, 07:45 PM

maybe you're mistaken him for the other earl ...

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01-26-2008, 08:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Claudius is contemplating The Killing Joke Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Burkina Faso, Disputed Zone Posts: 6,619 Representing:	Personally, I've never liked Earl Watson. I think he's a decent player, but his contract is a killer and I've never seen him as putting a "team" first attitude on. He's alwasy been more of a me first player imo.

01-26-2008, 01:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
thriller92 is I HATE YOU LEBRON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,466 Representing:	I dont see Earl as me first at all. You rarely see the guy pull a Mike James and jack up shots out of the offence. Most of his points come off drive and kick or fast break buckets, and hes a pretty good passer and very solid defender. He's the player Boston needs.

01-26-2008, 01:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Acie is Don't play dumb with me. It's a game you can't win. Cram it up your cramhole! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Living in a van down by the river Posts: 15,845 Representing:	Earl's too poor of a shooter to be like Mike James. To me he's a rich man's Milt Palacio

01-26-2008, 07:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
moremilk is whatever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 5,265 Representing:	maybe you're mistaken him for the other earl ...