Earl Watson spoke candidly about his tenure as head coach of the Phoenix Suns, which began on an interim basis in February of 2016.
“To be honest with you when I took over as interim, management and ownership told me I would not be taking over the team permanently," said Watson on ESPN's The Hoop Collective. "So I think that was the first sign for me that no matter what was going to happen it was going to be short so make an impact and leave an imprint that whoever takes over and wherever they go … you left it better than what you found it. For us that was player development, creating a certain belief in young players.”
Watson was brought into a meeting with Robert Sarver and Ryan McDonough when he was informed he had been fired.
“I got a text message to come into the office. When that text came … I’m a very aware guy. I knew what the text was for … I will say that the only talking to me came from Robert Sarver. Ryan McDonough mostly wished me good luck at the end and the dialogue was about 30 to 40 minutes.”