Watson: I signed with the Pacers becuase they want to win now

jeffb · 08-04-2009, 10:22 PM

Am i missing something? Is Indianna gonna win now?

Quote:

Earl Watson: “I signed with the Pacers because they want to win now”August 3, 2009 @ 7:37 pm by admin · Filed under Earl Watson, Eduardo Najera, Hubie Brown, Indiana Pacers, Kevin Durant, Memphis Grizzlies, Mexico, Oklahoma City Thunder

What does it mean for you to play for the Mexican National Team?

Earl Watson: For me it’s bigger than just basketball. My grandfather who came over here from Mexico, I don’t think in his wildest dreams in his journey to the United States of America would have thought his grandson would go to UCLA and then to the NBA. For him to actually have the courage to take that step to go to another country… That for me is an amazingly strong thing to do. And that created opportunities for me generations later… Playing for Mexico is for me a way to give back all that appreciation to that part of my family. I never had a chance to meet my grandfather because he passed away when my mom was 20. But this is a way to represent a piece of him and I’ll do that in any way I can.

Who’s prouder about you playing with Mexico? You or your mother?

EW: Oh, my mom is extremely excited. Extremely excited by this opportunity. Just to see it happen is great for her. Her father was her everything. Doing this for him is the ultimate gift I can give her.

Do you know any of your teammates?

EW: I know Eduardo Najera because I played with him in Denver. That’s actually how it came up. We were talking one day and the subject came up and he was like, “Your mother is Mexican?!”

So it’s all his fault.

EW: Yes, yes, it’s all his fault. And you know, talking with my people and my agency, there were questions because it was a free agency year. Then Indiana came up and put so much faith in me. What I don’t wanna do is get injured. But also, what I wanna do is having the honor of representing the country of Mexico because it’s a privilege. At the same time, it’s also a honor to play in the NBA and be a part of the Pacers.

Aside from Najera, do you know any of the players?

EW: Lorenzo Mata, who played for UCLA, is also on the team. I’ve known him for a while. There’s a couple of players that I saw on the team that I saw playing in Vegas.

Do you speak any Spanish?

EW: I speak a little bit of Spanish. When I go to Mexico, and I go to Mexico a lot, I understand quite a bit.

So when you’re with the team, what’s going to be the main language? Because a lot of players are actually Mexican Americans…

EW: We’re probably going to speak Spanglish (laughs). A little bit of both. But you know, basketball is going to be the main connector. Language is important for the little details, to get the strategy across. But when you’re on the court? Basketball is basketball.

You recently signed with the Pacers. What was the team’s main selling point for you in order to sign with Indiana?

EW: That they wanted to win right now. They are committed to building a championship team. There’s a sense of urgency there. They want players to be accountable on and off the court. That creates responsability and accountability. For me, that’s exactly what I was looking for at this point of my career. I think we have a strong enough team to make the playoffs this coming season. Not five years from now or three years from now. Right now. Besides, it’s a great team and a great organization with a great tradition. I was a fan of the team before, when they had Mark Jackson, Rik Smits, Reggie Miller and others. They got close to winning a championship. And I’m a fan of basketball and a fan of teams that win. Larry Bird, Coach O’Brien… It’s just so many people involved. And they have a great young nucleus… But it’s a young nucleus with a lot of experience.

You looked like a good fit for some of the contenders. Did you hear from them?

EW: I just came to this decision kind of quick. The other teams came in late. The thing is, I connected with the people in the Pacer organization so quickly… It was actually the team that I thought was going to draft me. I didn’t think Seattle was going to draft me. Seattle had to pick before before Indiana, but all along I thought I was going to Indiana. It’s kind of like a reuniting of the beginning.

Was last season tough for you, having to go back to the bench after starting most of the times the previous year?

EW: I just think the Oklahoma situation was a unique situation. It was a transition period. The way it was going, there were indications… Losing Ray Allen, losing Rashard Lewis, losing Luke Ridnour, losing Delonte West, losing Kurt Thomas, losing Joe Smith… You see it coming. If they let Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis leave, there’s only going to be a snowball effect your way if you’re not part of the new transition. It’s just business. It was never personal for me. It was a great experience. You learn a lot from your toughest moments. Your learn a lot about yourself and other people. But you move forward and you stay professional! Always stay professional! Something good has to happen if you do things the right way. Everything worked out the way I wanted it to work out. I’m in a great situation. It’s was all worth to go through that to get to this point.

You saw Kevin Durant in practice every day the last couple of years. What kind of player do you see him becoming?

EW: I think he can be a Top 5 player in the NBA.

There were even comparisons with LeBron James a few days ago. Do you think he can get to that level?

EW: I don’t think you can compare KD to LeBron – the same way you can’t compare LeBron to Kobe. They are all great players, but they are all unique and different. Players in the future will be getting compared to Kevin Durant. He will make his own mark and have his own path.

Do you have the feeling that you have been backing up players at the point guard position that really were not better than you?

EW: As a young player, you can get caught up into that. But from where I come from… I come from Nate McMillan and Gary Payton in Seattle. Then I go to Jerry West and Hubie Brown. In college I played with Baron Davis. I have like a very strong foundation of basketball principles. Your learn the game, your learn the business, you pick up the knowledge and soak it up. Now I’m with Larry Bird. It’s been a great basketball journey for me being around the greats and learning from them. As a young player, you can get caught up into that. But at the end of the day, it’s about winning. When you see teams like the Spurs bring Ginobili off the bench… It’s not a big deal. When you see Jason Terry come off the bench, it’s for a reason. It’s for strategy. I try not to get caught up into that. If you’re winning and it works, great. If you’re losing, you just wait and see what happens.

Of all the teams you’ve played for, where did you feel more comfortable? Was it Memphis under Hubie Brown?

EW: Absolutely, because of the way he spoke the game. Because of his passion, his knowledge of the game. The way he communicated and talked were both unique. And it was specific for each player. That’s what I loved about him. He didn’t have plays for Mike Miller that he had for Shane Battier. Or James Posey. Or Bonzi Wells. Everyone had their unique style of playing, but he made them do it within a team concept using their individual skills. It was amazing how he managed the details of the game. We also had Jerry West there. We have those two guys at the same time, which was amazing.

What went wrong with the Grizzlies and Hubie Brown? Why it had to end?

EW: I think I told Coach this, “The only thing I regret is not being born earlier to have a chance to play for you my whole career.” He was the type of coach that just captured the moment and captured the team. He took the ego out of the team. It all became about the team. Talking to him, a lot of times I had memories of talking to Coach Wooden. I once asked Coach, “What was the common thing about all of your championship teams?” And Coach said, “The common thing was that no one cared who got the credit.” Everyone bought in. I will always remember that. I was like 18 or 19 when I asked him that.

And with Hubie Brown it was the same. Hubie Brown would always say, “No one will ever ask you how many points you scored. You know why? Because you’re winning games, chap!” He was very similar to Wooden, but he was at a time in his life where he couldn’t give his all. It was a time where he gave all he could and turned the organization in the right direction. I think he left everything good, with the team winning and having a foundation to it.

HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Jorge Sierra Earl Watson: “I signed with the Pacers because they want to win now”

**INSIDER** · 08-05-2009, 12:55 AM

win now?
win what. the best odds at #1 draft pick next season?
the pacers are one of the worst teams in the league and got significantly worse this off season. LOLL.

thriller92 · 08-05-2009, 01:11 AM

Solomon Jones Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson. A 11th man, a guy who went from IR to 10th man, and a 9th man at best.

Plus the shit they put out there last year. Unless Brandon Rush and Hibbert explode theyre going nowhere for a LONG time.

Jackson Filth · 08-05-2009, 01:14 AM

i wouldn't completely sleep on the pacers. if they can stay healthy, they've got themselves a pretty nice team. i wouldn't necessarily call ourselves that much better than them.

Jackson Filth · 08-05-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thriller92

Solomon Jones Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson. A 11th man, a guy who went from IR to 10th man, and a 9th man at best.

Plus the shit they put out there last year. Unless Brandon Rush and Hibbert explode theyre going nowhere for a LONG time.

funny, we get players of the same calibre and we're doing back flips rejoicing

A00715890 · 08-05-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thriller92

Solomon Jones Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson. A 11th man, a guy who went from IR to 10th man, and a 9th man at best.

Plus the shit they put out there last year. Unless Brandon Rush and Hibbert explode theyre going nowhere for a LONG time.

Dahntay Jones, a starter for the Nuggets team that went to the conference finals....1oth man...

.....he doesnt shoot much but the guy can defend and get to the rim and brings toughness.....i would have loved to have him on our team....

jumplvlan23 · 08-05-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson Filth

i wouldn't completely sleep on the pacers. if they can stay healthy, they've got themselves a pretty nice team. i wouldn't necessarily call ourselves that much better than them.

Really? Explain.

oneironaught · 08-05-2009, 01:44 AM

I think the Pacers are in the worst position of any team in the league. They suck now and they have little to no young talent. Granger is just alright, IMO of course. Hansborough won't be a game changer in the NBA, and I can't think of any other coveted young players. Diener anyone? Rush?

Jackson Filth · 08-05-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumplvlan23

Really? Explain.

they finished ahead in the standings with granger and dunleavy missing serious time plus a handful of other places being out extended periods. they've got talent, just players that don't get the respect they deserve.

Kuzzy · 08-05-2009, 05:50 AM

well put Jackson. But i think we'll have atleast 15 wins on the Pacers, which is more then just a dimunitive difference

jeffb · 08-05-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson Filth

i wouldn't completely sleep on the pacers. if they can stay healthy, they've got themselves a pretty nice team. i wouldn't necessarily call ourselves that much better than them.

Wow! One will be a 4-6th seed (at least should be) and the other will struggle to get 10th. And for those who are for some reason negative on the Raptors, the latter are the Pacers.

gdaytday · 08-05-2009, 08:17 AM

I want to win the lottery tonight...doesn't mean it's going to happen.

thriller92 · 08-05-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson Filth

funny, we get players of the same calibre and we're doing back flips rejoicing

Evans and Rasho can be put in the same category but not Wright and Belinelli who are a step up IMO from where those guys are especially because of their age and what they showed last year. The Pacers guys are going nowhere but level or down whereas Belinelli and Wright are likely to improve since theyre still young and have already shown improvement year to year.

Quote:

Dahntay Jones, a starter for the Nuggets team that went to the conference finals....1oth man........he doesnt shoot much but the guy can defend and get to the rim and brings toughness.....i would have loved to have him on our team....

I still dont understand why people cant see that the only reason the guy PLAYED is because JR Smith is a demented fuck who Karl doesnt like. Jones has been a scrub that doesnt deserve to sniff an NBA court his entire career and because he gets to start because Karl had nobody else to start at SG, and he plays some defence on CP3, hes all of a sudden a good player who everyone wants. News flash, his defensive efficiency numbers are awful in having to guard actual SG's, hes only good on the small quick PG's, and outside of defence what can he bring? Shooting? No. Rebounding? No. Passing? No. Able to make plays? Haha. Bball IQ? Hell no.

The guy is the definition of an NBA scrub. When your best 'skill' is bringing energy, and in Jones case, guarding quick PG's, you're a scrub. Him getting a longterm deal when they already have Rush and Dunleavy is laughable.

**INSIDER** · 08-05-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson Filth

they finished ahead in the standings with granger and dunleavy missing serious time plus a handful of other places being out extended periods. they've got talent, just players that don't get the respect they deserve.

they dont deserve any respect IMO.
this has been an awful offseason for them. they've actually downgraded at almost every position, (Except for the Hansborough pick up, i like that kid's passion).

they lost Jack - pick up Watson = downgrade
they lost Daniels - pick up Dahntay Jones = Downgrade
they lost Rasho who started a load of games last season for nothing = downgrade
solomon jones? him on your roster = downgrade.

dunleavy's knees are pretty much chronic, he's going to miss a few months again.

their only real hope is with Granger and Murphy. TJ is too inconsistant, and the rest of the team is a bunch of scrubs.
i'm predicting them to be one of the worst in the league next season.

Apollo · 08-05-2009, 10:47 AM

He said they WANT to win now. He didn't say he signed with them because they CAN win now.

Gurk · 08-05-2009, 12:36 PM

at the qoute

Febreezy · 08-05-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo

He said they WANT to win now. He didn't say he signed with them because they CAN win now.

Well said.

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08-05-2009, 12:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
INSIDER is shining his gold member. I love GOLD! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: richmond hill Posts: 7,168 Representing:	win now? win what. the best odds at #1 draft pick next season? the pacers are one of the worst teams in the league and got significantly worse this off season. LOLL.

08-05-2009, 01:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
thriller92 is thinking about whats to come. Calderon has eyes Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 4,852 Representing:	Solomon Jones Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson. A 11th man, a guy who went from IR to 10th man, and a 9th man at best. Plus the shit they put out there last year. Unless Brandon Rush and Hibbert explode theyre going nowhere for a LONG time.

08-05-2009, 01:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jackson Filth is smelly like poop Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,634 Representing:	i wouldn't completely sleep on the pacers. if they can stay healthy, they've got themselves a pretty nice team. i wouldn't necessarily call ourselves that much better than them.

08-05-2009, 01:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
oneironaught is BALL.. ViVa IL MAGO Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,069 Representing:	I think the Pacers are in the worst position of any team in the league. They suck now and they have little to no young talent. Granger is just alright, IMO of course. Hansborough won't be a game changer in the NBA, and I can't think of any other coveted young players. Diener anyone? Rush?

08-05-2009, 05:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kuzzy is The raptors STILL live and die by the J Say NO to J.O ! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 1,559 Representing:	well put Jackson. But i think we'll have atleast 15 wins on the Pacers, which is more then just a dimunitive difference

08-05-2009, 08:17 AM	#12 (permalink)
gdaytday is wishing he had all 10 fingers on one hand so his other could just be a fist for punching. Chairman of the Boards Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 659 Representing:	I want to win the lottery tonight...doesn't mean it's going to happen.

08-05-2009, 10:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
Apollo is a dick Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,155 Representing:	He said they WANT to win now. He didn't say he signed with them because they CAN win now.

08-05-2009, 12:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
Gurk is gonna make sure that Rasho wins MVP hot' n' spicy meat-a-ball Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Home Posts: 13,456 Representing:	at the qoute