LONG BEACH “”mdash; As Earl Watson walks out of the locker room
after a NBA summer league game, Jerry West, the Memphis
Grizzlies’ general manager, quietly walks over to the young
point guard and gives him a few post-game tips.
Watson is the only one West talks to after the game.
Watson, the former UCLA star, is currently going into his third
year of the NBA as the Grizzlies’ reserve point guard. Now
under the wing of logo-legend West, he has successfully made the
transition from college to the professional ranks. But while trying
to make his mark on the NBA, Watson will always remember his days
as a Bruin.
“Believe it or not, at this point in my life, the four
years at UCLA were better than the three years I’ve been in
the NBA,” Watson said.
Staying at UCLA for the full four years was essential for
Watson, who feels it aided his transition to the NBA, when he was
drafted in the second round to the Seattle Supersonics in 2001.
“I think I was real prepared,” Watson said.
“As you can see, if you ask anyone who’s ever coached
me in the NBA, I just did real well. I mean UCLA was a great
experience and I wouldn’t change it for the world; I’m
glad I stayed four years and wish I could have red-shirted and been
there for a fifth year.”
As an advocate for the full collegiate experience, Watson was
glad to see former teammate Jason Kapono stay as well. Now, with
Kapono drafted in the second round last month by the Cleveland
Cavaliers, the two will have the chance to play each other.
“It was a good thing he stayed because you’re never
going to have the college experience after that and the NBA is
always going to be there,” Watson said. “I wish him the
best of luck.”
With the Grizzlies steadily improving under new head coach Hubie
Brown, Watson increased his minutes on the court to 17, while
scoring an average of 6 points per game with 3 assists.
He is currently on the Grizzlies’ summer league team which
ended its run this past weekend in Long Beach. In the July 17 game
against the Rockets, Watson scored 13 points and had 11 assists.
For the summer season, Watson averaged 13.3 points per game and 6.3
assists per game.
But what may be the most exciting factor for his NBA future is
taking direction from West.
“Memphis is the best, for one reason: Jerry West,”
Watson said. “I had the chance to go back to Seattle, but I
wouldn’t because of Jerry West. If he wasn’t here I
don’t know if I would be here.”
With the future looking positive for Watson, he only hopes the
same goes for his alma mater after last season’s chaos in
Westwood.
“I love coach Lavin. As my coach, I’m a reflection
of him and he helped me to grow every year and prepare for the
NBA,” Watson said.
“But coach Howland I think is going to be a good coach at
UCLA. I really do believe it. I don’t just think it, I know
it. Everything happens for a reason and UCLA is UCLA; I will always
love it and support it no matter what.”