PHOENIX SUNS

Earl Watson told players that Suns gave him two weeks for turnaround

Oct 23, 2017, 10:47 AM | Updated: 11:30 am

(AP Photo/Matt York)...

(AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

LISTEN: John Gambadoro, Co-Host of Burns and Gambo

Two losses of more than 40 points didn’t help, but the Phoenix Suns firing coach Earl Watson just three games into the year had to have been about more.

One would think.

Joining the Doug & Wolf show on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Monday, John Gambadoro from Burns & Gambo reported that a recent development also could have played a part in Watson’s firing.

“He went in there after one of the losses — I think it was the Clippers — and kind of made it an us versus management and ownership situation where he said, ‘Look, they only gave me two weeks to get this thing going,’ and he kind of … he was always philosophical and I think the players kind of lost him with that.

“He also told them, ‘It’s us against them, they only gave me two weeks.’ And then when word got back, they were like, ‘Wait a second, we never said you only have two weeks. What are you doing?’ So I think he was trying to create like an us-against-the-world mentality. Part of that was us against Suns ownership and management.”

Gambadoro added that Watson appeared to have lost the locker room as well.

Losing all three games to start the year and allowing 128.7 points per game on 52 percent shooting and 50 percent from three indicated the Suns were lost on defense. The starting lineup, which had played more than 30 minutes together, had been shockingly poor with a net rating of minus-48.2 points per 100 possessions.

Watson leaves Phoenix with a 33-85 overall record spanning his 33-game tenure as interim in 2015-16, last season and the first three games of this season.

“The Suns never told Earl you’ve got two weeks to play games,” Gambadoro told The Blitz with B-Train & Jurecki. “That was not true.”

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

6 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

11 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

24 hours ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

1 day ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Earl Watson told players that Suns gave him two weeks for turnaround