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Will Earl Watson return to the Jazz?
Posted by: Joey Parker on April 29th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.I think Earl Watson is the perfect backup point guard. He’s a veteran who can help a team hold onto a lead, he’s a true point guard who prefers passing over shooting, and he knows his role at this point of his career. I really hope he is a part of the Jazz next year.
Trading Deron Williams for the youngest player in the league (Favors) plus 3 more future draft picks will soon make the Jazz one of the youngest teams in the league. We need a couple vets around to provide leadership and stability in the locker room. Earl seems perfect for that role. However, if I had to bet money on it, I would guess that Earl Watson will not be with the Jazz next season. Here are my two reasons:
- Earl is 31 years old and probably only has 3-4 more NBA years in him. Unless the Jazz get super lucky, they probably won’t be title contenders for at least 2 more years. If Earl is one of those players who wishes to win a title before he retires, the Jazz realistically would not be his best option.
- I think the Jazz will end up drafting a point guard with one of their picks this year. This is just a gut feeling, but I think somehow, someway, the Jazz will end up with Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight, or Jimmer “not really a point-guard” Fredette in the draft. If the Jazz do use a draft pick on a PG, they will likely want him to be the 1st PG off the bench after Devin Harris. This would mean that Earl would have to be the 3rd string PG, which he probably would not like to do.
I hope to see Earl back with the Jazz next year so we can see a few more Earl-y Oops to Jeremy Evans, but I fear that he might move on to greener pastures.
Replies: 8
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8 Responses
I think Earl did a pretty good job this year. That is why I think Price is done. Even if the Jazz got Knight it would be a while before he would be first off the bench. But because Harris can get injured the Jazz need a point guard with the 6th pick. Let’s see some more Early-opps..
I like Earl. I agree that the draft will probably determine his fate one way or the other as to whether he stay or goes. He said in his exit interview he would like to return this coming season. I’m fine with him backing up Harris for another season. When healthy, that’s a nice combination. They compliment one another, because they each offer something different.
He should absolutely be brought back. Period.
I`m pretty confident ol` Earl will be back. Like L.K. said, a rookie point wouldn`t come off the bench before Watson (at least until he`s proven himself), and with harris being somewhat injury prone we are going to need a solid back up pg, and that player is not Ronnie Price.
I too love Earl Watson for all the reasons you mentioned. We’re all keenly interested in the upcoming Lottery, but like you said, no matter where we’re slotted, I can easily see the Jazz selecting a PG. Either way, I could see Earl coming back. Perhaps if we go with Knight, they could play some together off the bench.
I for one hope to see Earl coming back next season and beyond. As a backup point guard I think he is a bargain for the price that we paid last season. I actually think at 31 years of age, he’s got a good few years in the game yet, PG seems to be a position where there are a good few veterans around who look after themselves.
As a backup PG he beats Price into submission for impact on the floor. Don’t get me wrong I love Ronnie’s hussle but I just think as a floor general Earl is better at getting everyone on the floor involved in the game. I liked the way he had the second unit running in the early part of the season, that second unit (although in my view is a poor bench compared to other teams around the league) dug the team out of some holes and I think Earl should take the credit for that. Then later in the season when first Deron was having problems with his wrist then Devin with his hamstrung he was able to step up to the first unit because he has been first pick PG at other teams. Ronnie I don’t think would have done as good a job besides he probably wouldn’t have been available. I somehow feel that Earl is the type of player that is available to be on the court more often. That is invaluable asset as it is. Even if the team was to acquire a PG in the summer from this draft, which I can only see happening if the team gets lucky in the lottery and is moved up in the draw due to our needs in other areas of the team and lack of great PG depth in the draft, I actually would do everything in my power to persuade Earl to stay if I was the GM. I think his experience and the way he grooms the youngsters is worth every cent.
Keeping Earl around for another couple of seasons would give the Jazz time to wait until the right PG comes along.
I agree with your reasoning Joey but my heart tells me he’ll be back. Then again my heart was telling me the Jazz would get out of their slump all year!
I think he’ll be back because at locker room cleanout he said he wants to be back he said this team was his family, they supported him during the most difficult part of his life. He came here to win the WC and that didn’t happen, so he needs to stay until he achieves that goal with the Jazz.
I think we are surely smart enough to keep Earl. Looked what happened with Matthews!!!! He is really doing well.
We do have a coaching staff who can learn from mistakes and that turned out to be a big one. Anyone agree?