Suns’ Watson: Bledsoe and Booker stepping up in leadership

Jul 7, 2016, 10:40 AM | Updated: Jul 8, 2016, 8:20 am

Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, right, drives past Detroit Pistons forward Aron Baynes during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Phoenix. The Pistons won 100-92. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

LISTEN: Earl Watson, Suns head coach

BY BRENDAN KENNEALY

Arizona Sports

Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker are laying down the foundation of the Phoenix Suns’ franchise with a trait that’s essential to the process — leadership.

Bledsoe, 26, has made strides this offseason by “being vocal,” according to Suns head coach Earl Watson, who told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday about how the point guard organized team workouts in San Diego.

“The trip he put together he also funded and that’s big having it come out of pocket,” Watson said. “He’s been more of a leader — he’s working on himself on and off the court. He’s working on his leadership skills in every way possible, from reading books to preparing and speaking in front of groups.”

Spin together, Win together. @EBled2 @Goodknight11 @DBender03 @Quese_22 @alantwilliams @DevinBook @TylerUlis3 @Suns pic.twitter.com/dsHUH1dWk5

— Mike Elliott (@realcowboy79) June 27, 2016

It’s vital for Bledsoe to push himself this offseason, coming off of injury-riddled season that caused him to miss 51 games due to a torn meniscus.

The moves he’s making are showing how invested in a team-centered mentality he is.

“It’s tough to label a team as one player,” Watson said. “This younger group doesn’t buy into that. They buy into a collective group of leaders. Bledsoe is so humble he would never say ‘it’s my team,’ he would say ‘I am one of the leaders.'”

Watson was impressed with how Bledsoe took the time to come to a Summer League team dinner to explain the philosophy of the team to the younger players.

“Bledsoe showed up to the dinner, spoke to the team and laid down the law — this is who we are, this is how we play and this is what we expect. If you have any questions you can call me and contact me — then he passed it over to Devin.”

Booker, who is still just 19-years-old, has grabbed the reins of the Summer League team. Watson has put his faith in the former Kentucky Wildcat, who was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team last year.

“Devin is learning how to talk and keep the team together,” Watson said. “Whenever we struggle in a drill, we bring them together and we tell him’go get your team together’ and he takes them in a huddle and corrects them. That’s the leadership we want to build this summer for him.”