The Jazz will always be special for me. They’re always going to be heading in the right direction with quality people. – Earl Watson
PHOENIX — Earl Watson, starting his first full season as head coach of the Phoenix Suns after taking over for Jeff Hornacek last February, still has fondness for the Jazz organization, which he played for from 2010 to 2013.
“The Jazz will always be special for me,” Watson said. “They’re always going to be heading in the right direction with quality people. Being a former Jazzman, you look back and you’re always proud of the team.”
Watson has added a couple of former Jazzmen to his coaching staff this year, hiring former Jazz player, assistant and head coach Ty Corbin as an assistant and former Jazz player Mehmet Okur as a part-time coach.
“Everyone who goes through Utah develops a family relationship with everyone in that program,” he said. “In my time in Utah, Memo was like a big brother to me. He has a high basketball I.Q and is just an awesome person. I love him, it’s as simple as that.”
“Ty was my assistant and my head coach at Utah. He’s always had the most positive energy. He’s a rock. With his experience it was a no-brainer (to hire him). I’m very lucky to have them. And I think they like the weather here too.”
NEW VERSATILITY: Having several new players to blend in with last year’s core players will be a challenge for Jazz coach Quin Snyder, and so he’ll be doing some experimenting during the preseason.
Sometimes it goes well and others, not so well, as when he played newcomers Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw and second-year man Trey Lyles together against Portland on Monday night.
“Boris and Trey and Joe weren't great, but that doesn’t mean that’s not a really good group," Snyder said. "You have to be careful not to make too many evaluations on a small sample size, because those guys have been really good in practice at various times.”
What Snyder loves about his team is the competition for minutes and the improved versatility.
“We can be really big with Fave, we have a shooting four with Trey Lyles, we can have a playmaking four with Boris (Diaw) or we can play small. That versatility is great.”
JAZZ NOTES: The Jazz returned home after the game and will prepare for another road game Monday against the L.A. Clippers before returning home for their first game in Vivint Arena against Phoenix. … The following week, the Jazz will play a pair of home games against Portland and the Clippers to conclude their preseason slate. … The Jazz play Phoenix three times during the regular season, twice at home in December — on Tuesday the 6th and Saturday the 31st — and in Phoenix on Jan. 31.