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Earl Watson has reportedly been fired by the Suns, after just three games in the 2017-18 season and clear commitment to rebuilding.
Potentially Jay Triano will take over as coach. Triano is the head coach of the Canadian National Team, and has previously been head coach of the Toronto Raptors. Triano has been on Watson’s staff since the 2016 off season.
Welp. That’s what happens when your team loses by 48 and 42 in a span of three games.
Phoenix coach Earl Watson has been fired, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 22, 2017
And possibly Jay Triano will take over as coach.
Suns owner Robert Sarver and GM Ryan McDonough meeting with assistant coaches now, sources tell ESPN. Jay Triano likely interim coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 22, 2017
The circus keeps trucking along.
Gambo (John Gambadoro) had news on the meeting between Suns owner Robert Sarver and Earl Watson long before Woj broke the firing news.
Hearing that Suns owner Robert Sarver is going to meet with Earl Watson today.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) October 22, 2017
And Gambo has since confirmed the firing.
Situation with Suns was real bad after these first three games. Earl tried to create an us vs them attitude and players didn't buy in
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) October 22, 2017
Earl preached family, life is bigger than basketball & that it needed to be about trust. Players just want to win, didn't want lectures.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) October 22, 2017
This is not a surprise. Guys love the ‘family’ talk as long as things are going well, then turn it into ‘lecture’ when the chips are down.
I’m not saying that my rant posted today two hours before the firing was the impetus for this move, but I’m not saying it wasn’t.
This will be the fifth Suns head coach since I started covering the team in the 2012-13 season.
Alvin Gentry was fired after the Suns started 13-28, replaced by Lindsey Hunter.
Hunter was fired after going 12-29, replaced by Jeff Hornacek.
Hornacek was fired after his team lost approximately 250 straight games, replaced by Earl Watson.
Now Watson is fired after the team starts 0-3, including two of the four worst losses in the team’s 50-year history.
Way to go, guys.