FLAGSTAFF – Earl Watson is outwardly loving, direct and deep. Sometimes, all at once.
Watson’s first training-camp practice as Suns head coach was going on just as planned, drawing out defense and energy when he blew his old-school “John Wooden” whistle to make a point Monday at Northern Arizona University’s Rolle Activity Center gym.
The love: Watson began talking to the entire team with an arm around rookie point guard Tyler Ulis.
The directness: “We’re just talking,” he said with the raspiness of three hours of coaching. “We’re not talking with a purpose.”
The depth: “No energy, no victory,” Watson said one of his slogans – in Bruce Arians “No risk-it, no biscuit” fashion.