Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Phoenix Suns: Way too early bold prediction about the regular season

By Lucas Johnson

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JANUARY 13: Earl Watson of the Phoenix Suns talks to the media after practice as part of NBA Global Games at The American School on January 13, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JANUARY 13: Earl Watson of the Phoenix Suns talks to the media after practice as part of NBA Global Games at The American School on January 13, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the NBA regular season about a month and a half away, it is time for a way too early bold prediction about the Phoenix Suns upcoming season.

The Phoenix Suns have a lot riding on this upcoming season. Just because the team is in another rebuilding year does not mean that it is not a pivotal year for those involved with the franchise. However, there is one person in the franchise that can breathe easier than the rest. The one way too early bold prediction I have about the Suns this upcoming season is that head coach Earl Watson will not lose his job during the regular season.

More from Valley of the Suns

Some may think this is a silly prediction. Watson has to be one of the worst coaches in Phoenix Suns history thus far. Only former Suns coach Johnny Kerr has a worst win percentage than Watson. Watson has an up and down history for when it comes to developing players like T.J. Warren and Alex Len who have seen little, if any, progress under the head coach. In almost any other situation, Watson would have been released of his duties.

However, the Phoenix Suns are in a unique situation. The Suns are obviously not going to be in contention for the playoffs this season. The Western Conference is just too stacked as it is currently configured. It appears that the Suns have figured this out and decided to play the long term game. The Suns did not make any major free agent acquisitions like other Western Conference teams did.

The team is young and needs time to grow. Franchise officials must realize this and instead of trying to improve short term, they appear to be content on playing the waiting game. The Suns are taking a similar approach that the Philadelphia 76ers did until this past offseason.

With the Sixers, they had a head coach that was clearly struggling, but they stuck with him and now the team will see if he can coach with a quality roster. Obviously, the Sixers’ head coach is much better at player development than Watson. Watson will have to improve on his ability to grow players talent if he wants to get the same opportunity that Sixers’ head coach Brett Brown has. Watson does have Devin Booker’s development into a star to hang his hat on, but he will have to show improvement with other players as well.

Next: Who really should be on the all-time Suns team?

The Suns may want to tank this season, because the 2018 NBA Draft is suppose to loaded with front court talent. Watson and the Suns probably will not show much, if any, improvement this upcoming season and the team will have a top lottery selection again. Why risk improvement with a mid-season change of the head coach? Keeping Watson in that position will provide the team with a much needed franchise front court player in the draft. That is why Watson will keep his job this season. However, after the regular season is over, all bets are off on if Watson retains his title as head coach.

Home/Suns News