Purch
09-21-2010, 09:01 AM
Veteran point guard Earl Watson has committed to signing a guaranteed contract with the Utah Jazz the player's agent, Todd Ramasar, said Monday evening.
Terms of the deal are still being worked on, and will likely be completed by Tuesday evening.
Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor would not comment when asked about Watson signing with the team.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported last week that the 6-foot-1, 185-pound former UCLA standout worked out for Utah.
Watson has played for five teams during his nine-year career, averaging 7.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds. The 31-year-old guard spent 2009-10 with Indiana, averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 assists while playing in 79 games (52 starts).
If Watson signs with the Jazz, he is expected to back up starter Deron Williams. Watson's addition to the line up could decrease playing time for Ronnie Price, while complicating Sundiata Gaines' role with the team.
Watson averaged career highs in points (10.7) and assists (6.8) for Seattle in 2007-08. But he has struggled with his shot in recent years, knocking down just 40.6 percent of his field-goal attempts during the last two seasons.
Numerous reports have the Jazz signing veteran point guard Earl Watson to a contract. This is another sign the Jazz are committed to winning regardless of the price tag. Watson becomes one of the most experienced back up point guards the Jazz have signed. More often than not, the Jazz have taken inexperienced and inexpensive players as the back up point guard.
Watson comes to the Jazz having started over 200 career games over his nine year career including 52 last year in Indiana. I was fortunate enough to spend the 06-07 season with Earl as the radio voice for the Seattle Supersonics. The Jazz are getting a hard nosed kid out of the projects of Kansas City.
Watson plays with an edge and toughness that Jerry Sloan is going to like. He is a defender. He battles for every possession. He understands the game and plays hard every night.
Life has not been easy on Watson. His 17 year old brother was killed in a car accident in 2004. Earls' arm tattooed with a sketch of his brother Eric. Between 8th and 11th grade Watson had 5 friends killed. All of this has formed Watson and his mindset. In 2006 he said, "The money we make is stupid," he said. "If you play for the money, you lose yourself and have no identity. I play for the love of the game, and I play to win.”
These tragic moments have also pushed Watson toward community involvement. In Denver, he played Santa Earl to single mothers who couldn’t afford presents for their kids. Back home in Kansas City, he funds an entire summer basketball league, the Earl Watson Youth Basketball League, for 6th, 7th and 8th grade kids.
On the floor, Watson was a 4 year starter, over 120 games, for Steve Lavin at UCLA playing alongside good friend Baron Davis. Originally drafted by the Supersonics in the 2nd round Watson made his mark immediately and played 64 games as a rookie. Watson signed with Memphis and played under Hubie Brown for three years. In the off-season he signed with Denver, but was traded to the Sonics at the trade deadline and played with the Sonics/Thunder for the next 4 years.
Too often in Watson’s career he has gone to a place where the point guard position was in flux. In turn, Watson has often been frustrated feeling he deserves a larger role. In Memphis he battled with Jason Williams, in Denver with Andre Miller, in Seattle with Luke Ridnour and in Indiana with TJ Ford. Many times Watson’s stay with his team has ended in dispute.
However, in Utah his role should be more clearly defined with Deron as the definite leader and point guard. At 31, wit 9 years experience, having not been on a winning team since the 04-05 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Watson clearly is looking for a spot on a winner. His toughness and veteran savvy adds to an ever improving Jazz bench.
:ihit
Terms of the deal are still being worked on, and will likely be completed by Tuesday evening.
Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor would not comment when asked about Watson signing with the team.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported last week that the 6-foot-1, 185-pound former UCLA standout worked out for Utah.
Watson has played for five teams during his nine-year career, averaging 7.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds. The 31-year-old guard spent 2009-10 with Indiana, averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 assists while playing in 79 games (52 starts).
If Watson signs with the Jazz, he is expected to back up starter Deron Williams. Watson's addition to the line up could decrease playing time for Ronnie Price, while complicating Sundiata Gaines' role with the team.
Watson averaged career highs in points (10.7) and assists (6.8) for Seattle in 2007-08. But he has struggled with his shot in recent years, knocking down just 40.6 percent of his field-goal attempts during the last two seasons.
Numerous reports have the Jazz signing veteran point guard Earl Watson to a contract. This is another sign the Jazz are committed to winning regardless of the price tag. Watson becomes one of the most experienced back up point guards the Jazz have signed. More often than not, the Jazz have taken inexperienced and inexpensive players as the back up point guard.
Watson comes to the Jazz having started over 200 career games over his nine year career including 52 last year in Indiana. I was fortunate enough to spend the 06-07 season with Earl as the radio voice for the Seattle Supersonics. The Jazz are getting a hard nosed kid out of the projects of Kansas City.
Watson plays with an edge and toughness that Jerry Sloan is going to like. He is a defender. He battles for every possession. He understands the game and plays hard every night.
Life has not been easy on Watson. His 17 year old brother was killed in a car accident in 2004. Earls' arm tattooed with a sketch of his brother Eric. Between 8th and 11th grade Watson had 5 friends killed. All of this has formed Watson and his mindset. In 2006 he said, "The money we make is stupid," he said. "If you play for the money, you lose yourself and have no identity. I play for the love of the game, and I play to win.”
These tragic moments have also pushed Watson toward community involvement. In Denver, he played Santa Earl to single mothers who couldn’t afford presents for their kids. Back home in Kansas City, he funds an entire summer basketball league, the Earl Watson Youth Basketball League, for 6th, 7th and 8th grade kids.
On the floor, Watson was a 4 year starter, over 120 games, for Steve Lavin at UCLA playing alongside good friend Baron Davis. Originally drafted by the Supersonics in the 2nd round Watson made his mark immediately and played 64 games as a rookie. Watson signed with Memphis and played under Hubie Brown for three years. In the off-season he signed with Denver, but was traded to the Sonics at the trade deadline and played with the Sonics/Thunder for the next 4 years.
Too often in Watson’s career he has gone to a place where the point guard position was in flux. In turn, Watson has often been frustrated feeling he deserves a larger role. In Memphis he battled with Jason Williams, in Denver with Andre Miller, in Seattle with Luke Ridnour and in Indiana with TJ Ford. Many times Watson’s stay with his team has ended in dispute.
However, in Utah his role should be more clearly defined with Deron as the definite leader and point guard. At 31, wit 9 years experience, having not been on a winning team since the 04-05 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Watson clearly is looking for a spot on a winner. His toughness and veteran savvy adds to an ever improving Jazz bench.
:ihit