Head coach Earl Watson on Suns’ competition: ‘Say hi to them in the summer’

The Phoenix Suns have started the 2016-17 NBA season 0-4. While there have been flashes of the success that will inevitably come in the future, it’s a predictable start for a team expected to finish near the very bottom of the Western Conference.

Head coach Earl Watson is doing his part to ensure that the young Suns are focused on getting better on the basketball court. Speaking to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic recently, Watson encouraged his players to distance themselves from their competitors on social media.

Watson has many relationships in the NBA but he makes it clear that he “could care less” about them once it is game day against them. Case in point, he said he did not talk Friday to Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, who he has mentored since he was at UCLA.

“We respect the other team but it’s not an admirational game,” Watson said. “We don’t admire them so much, like, ‘One day we want to be like them.’ I don’t even like our guys to follow other guys on Twitter. This Twitter friend, Instagram friend, let’s cut them off. Say hi to them in the summer.”

Personally I love the quote “say hi to them in the summer” and will be using that in my own workplace when referring to a competitor. Watson’s bunch will get another crack at picking up their first win of the season when the Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers tonight. Tip off from Talking Stick Resort Arena is scheduled for 7pm PT.