Earl Watson had the interim tag removed from his title today, being named the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and signing a 3-year contract. And as the repository for all things immediate and reactionary, Twitter was quick to offer up congratulations on the news.
Huge congrats to @Earl_Watson on his new deal to be the Phoenix Suns' head coach, per Yahoo. There isn't a better man in the league.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) April 19, 2016
.@Earl_Watson is 100% right hire if you're fully committed to growing Booker, Len, Bled, Warren &Top 10 pick. Have to accept it takes time.
— Espo (@Espo) April 19, 2016
Congrats to @Earl_Watson!
— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) April 19, 2016
No longer interim, the former #UCLA standout has been named the @Suns head coach. pic.twitter.com/GUYraJTMDl
@Earl_Watson congrats coach can't wait to get back to work and pick up where we left off! Moving in the right direction.
— BigSauce (@alantwilliams) April 19, 2016
The kudos coming his way are indicative of the level of respect others around basketball have for the Suns' new head coach, but making this choice wasn't the most difficult decision for the Suns brass. According to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, GM Ryan McDonough was told by every player after the season that he would be making a mistake by choosing another head coach over Watson.
Just hung up w/ Phoenix GM Ryan McDonough, who discussed why Suns promoted Earl Watson on a three-year deal. https://t.co/aKsl5bnhm7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) April 19, 2016
And having current players — like Brandon Knight and Devin Booker — in attendance for Watson's press conference today is certainly telling.
"I think players being here shows how they feel about @Earl_Watson becoming our permanent coach." ~ Ryan McDonough pic.twitter.com/MShyoZ0D6m
— #WeArePHX (@Suns) April 19, 2016
At least one member of the NBA's media believes the signing of Watson could pay dividends beyond the current collection of players for Phoenix, though. Marc J. Spears of ESPN believes he could help lure players to the desert just as he nearly did with LaMarcus Aldridge in 2015.
Don't be surprised if Earl Watson eventually aids Suns' free agency signings.Respected Ex-NBA player had LaMarcus Aldridge's ear last summer
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) April 19, 2016
Earl Watson may not be the flashy choice that many hoped for this summer, but if every Phoenix Sun and others around the basketball community are to be believed, it was the right choice.