Earl Watson on whether he knew Kevin Durant would be this good when the two played together Durant’s rookie year: I didn’t know, because the physicality of the game was a little too much for him. There was times when he would dribble, and just fall down. He was like a little kid learning to walk. And there was times where he couldn’t get open ’cause guys was denying him.
I remember playing a game against Raja…Durant didn’t touch the ball the entire game. I looked at Raja and started laughing, and Raja kind of winked at me…He just wasn’t strong enough, so I seen the growth and he’s been amazing. (1)
** Watson: My goal is to stay in Utah as long as possible and retire as a Utah Jazz basketball player. Growing up, Utah was always one of my favorite teams with Coach Sloan; John Stockton, who I admire. He said my name on TV [when John attended the SAS game on 4/9] and I tweeted it. I was like, “He knows me!” I knew he knew me because I played against him, but it’s like John Stockton. It’s amazing…
Within five years, hopefully we’re putting up a banner at EnergySolutions, Gordon Hayward’s the MVP, and I’m the old guy on the team that came in and spelled them for a couple of minutes. Ten years from now, I obviously want to coach and stay involved with the game ’cause I love it, whether it’s in the NBA or college. Only God really knows my true path and avenue, so hopefully it’s somewhere where I can influence and help kids. (1)
** Watson: I would have loved to play longer for Jerry Sloan. That’s my only regret in basketball, that I wasn’t alive quick enough to play for he and Coach Hubie Brown. To me, they’re two great people and they teach you a lot about life and basketball, and most importantly how to be a man. (1)
** Watson: Think about the old Jazz teams with Malone and Stockton. They were not nice guys. They would beat you up, and beat you, and then shake your hand after the game, and that’s what we have to get to as a young team. (1)
I would love to keep Bell around this next year too if he had this attitude.
