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Pacers Sign Earl Watson

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Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#1 » by PR07 » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:33 pm

Update:

Indiana Pacers continue to make strides to improve their defense.
Point guard Earl Watson, who was released by the Oklahoma City Thunder, agreed to a one-year deal with the Pacers on Friday, a person with knowledge of the situation said. Watson is on waivers for seven days.


Watson, 30, averaged 6.6 points and 5.8 assists in 68 games last season with the Thunder.
Watson, who is a defensive-minded player like recently signed Dahntay Jones, will help make up the loss of Jarrett Jack if the Pacers don’t match Toronto’s four-year, $20-million offer to him by Monday.

http://www.indystar.com/article/2009071 ... ith+Pacers
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The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guard Earl Watson it was announced today by Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

The 8-year NBA veteran appeared in 68 games (18 starts) with Oklahoma City this past season and averaged 6.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per contest.

Watson, a 6-1 guard out of UCLA, holds career averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds in 597 career games (156 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Seattle Supersonics.


Here's his hoopshype profile:

http://hoopshype.com/players/earl_watson.htm
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#2 » by Dunthreevy » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:19 pm

If we can get him cheap I wouldn't mind it, only because it would make our backup PG situation better with him as the backup and Diener as the 3rd option, leaving Price out of the loop. If we bring him in and keep price I see it as a waste of money one way or another because there's no way to get 4 PG's minutes unless 1 of them goes down (Ford).
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#3 » by slick_watts » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:48 pm

okc beat writer is saying you guys signed him.

http://twitter.com/DarnellMayberry
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#4 » by Dunthreevy » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:51 pm

slick_watts wrote:okc beat writer is saying you guys signed him.

http://twitter.com/DarnellMayberry


Thanks for the scoop.

Like I said above, I'm fine with it as long as it's a cheap deal. He's a quality backup and we don't really have one of those right now.
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#5 » by slick_watts » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:56 pm

watson took a step back last year but was still okay running the offense for a backup. he also plays pretty good defense.

just don't expect him to score efficiently..
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#6 » by Dunthreevy » Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:02 am

slick_watts wrote:watson took a step back last year but was still okay running the offense for a backup. he also plays pretty good defense.

just don't expect him to score efficiently..


Luckily we don't really need him to score. Our offense wasn't the issue at all last year. It was giving up buckets at the rapid rate. If he can stay in front of his man on defense, that would be enough of an upgrade for me. Looking at his career numbers I'm pleasantly surprised by his assists per (4.6 to 1.8 TO's)
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#7 » by cinful » Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:24 am

Earl Watson is a guy I have had an interest in for quite some time. With Jack leaving, he wouldnt be a bad addition at all. Hes probably a better defender than any of the pgs we had last year or will have this year.
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#8 » by JR_SMITH_23 » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:02 am

Nah...I think the Pacers rather have a guy like Dan Dickau...
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#9 » by Crossova21 » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:20 am

Since we now have Watson, how does our point guard rotation look? I don't think any of them can play the 2 like Jack did last year so who's the odd man out?

BTW I like the move for Watson, but I don't understand how we can build chemistry if we bring in 5-7 new guys every year. O well at least we've been able to keep the starting line-up somewhat intact for next year.
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#10 » by LEIF » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:40 am

one year deal....
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#11 » by SharoneWright » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:50 am

just further confirmation fyi,,,,, looks like its clear sailing to Raptorland for JJ now... gl guys.

McFurious1 wrote:http://twitter.com/DarnellMayberry

Being reported from Thunder beat writer... scroll down.


"Just heard Earl Watson has signed with Indiana.
about 1 hour ago from web"


edit: he also says it won't be offical until friday.

Supercollider wrote:From Mike Wells' (Indianapolis Star) tweet:
Mike Wells wrote:Earl Watson agrees to one-year deal with Pacers once he clears waivers, sources tell Indy Star.


And Chad Ford's tweet:
Chad Ford wrote:Look for Earl Watson to land in Indy after he clears waivers re a source close to Watson
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Re: Earl Watson Waived. Interested? 

Post#12 » by cinful » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:53 am

Crossova21 wrote:Since we now have Watson, how does our point guard rotation look? I don't think any of them can play the 2 like Jack did last year so who's the odd man out?

BTW I like the move for Watson, but I don't understand how we can build chemistry if we bring in 5-7 new guys every year. O well at least we've been able to keep the starting line-up somewhat intact for next year.


Well when you rebuild, youre going to have to bring in a lot of new players. Theres very few who didnt think we needed a complete roster overhaul as of a couple years ago. Well that plan is coming to fruition.

As for the pg rotation, its shaping up pretty clearly.

Ford is the starter. Watson is a solid backup who has started a number of times in his career. Diener is a quality 3rd stringer. And Price will be your rookie in training that after a year under his belt will take over the 2nd or 3rd string spot as both of those guys expire at the end of this upcoming season.
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#13 » by PR07 » Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:21 am

I've always liked Earl Watson as a PG. He hasn't really gotten a lot of attention because he's been on some lower profile teams, but he's quick, plays good defense, and doesn't turn the ball over. I think I'd take him at one year, than Jack for four at roughly 5 million per.

Here's a scouting report I found from draftexpress.com of him as an NBA player:

NBA Scouting Reports, Northwest Division (Part Five)
October 24, 2008
Overview: A valuable asset at the point guard position due to his quickness, playmaking and all-around versatility. Tough to stay in front of due to his first step and speed. Lack of size hurts him a bit, but is tough and extremely crafty to make up for that. Possesses a 6-7 wingspan, which comes in very handy. Can do some damage in transition. One of the best in the league at racking up assists. A very solid shooter with his feet set or off the dribble from mid-range. Works hard on both ends. Picks up a decent amount of rebounds for a point guard. Put together a nice career at UCLA, and has steadily improved in the NBA. Was known as a great defender, which is something he has gotten away from a bit recently. May be a bit under the radar at this point due to his lack of playoff success. Brings some nice skills to the table in Seattle, but could be a tremendous role player on a contender.

Offense: Gets most of his offense as a ball handler in pick and roll and transition situations. Does a decent amount of scoring, but is also one of the league’s top-10 point guards statistically. Possesses a consistent shooting stroke with his feet set, particularly from mid-range, but also from beyond the arc. Won’t take many threes, but definitely can, as he proved earlier in his career. Will punish defenders who go underneath the screen on the pick and roll. Takes the vast majority of his jumpers off the dribble. Hits pull ups with very good consistency. Likes to attack the rim when he puts the ball on the floor. Isn’t always able to finish due to his lack of size and strength, but is very crafty around the hoop. Does a very good job turning the corner on pick and rolls and breaking his man down off the dribble. Won’t go to the line very often, and shoots a surprisingly low percentage considering his shooting touch. Good ball handler with his right hand, but is a bit too turnover prone at times. Struggles going left. Brings a lot to the table as a distributor. Seems to have improved year by year in that regard with added maturity and experience. Does a good job drawing defenders and deferring to teammates. Great passer off the pick and roll. Pretty unselfish and creative when he has to get the ball to his teammates.

Defense: An average defender who lacks the size and strength to make an impact on many nights. Capable of putting good pressure on the ball, but doesn’t appear to put as much effort into this end of the floor as he once did. Lack of size makes him susceptible to post-ups and pin-downs, and allows bigger players to shoot over the top of him with ease. Struggles fighting through screens at times. Displays very quick hands in the passing lanes.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Earl-Watson-4787/
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#14 » by PacersDG » Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:52 am

I like dahntay/watson more than having jack for 4 more years.
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#15 » by kane2021 » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:07 am

simple swap of backups with no trade. not bad.
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#16 » by Grang33r » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:15 am

Solid signing. Improving on defense. Bird is sending a strong message. I really like the signings of Jones and now Watson. Defense wins championships and i think Pacers learned that they will not make the playoffs by trying to outscore everyone. For the first time in a long time, i am starting to really like our bench. Watson, Jones, Dunleavy, McRoberts and Foster or Hansbrough.
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#17 » by jowglenn » Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:21 am

I think this is great. Earl Watson is pretty much the best backup PG we could have gotten without giving up someone in a trade or taking on salary (Jack).


I've always been a fan of Watson. His problem was that teams often had him as a half-starter, half-bench guy.

He's pretty clearly our backup, and as long as he's ok with that, it should be great. I like that it's a one-year deal. Guys work hard during one-year deals, because they need to get another longer contract.
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#18 » by Charcoal Filtered » Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:06 pm

Surprised OKC could not find a trade partner and am happy he is a Pacer. The one year contract is the best part. It would have been awful to have to see Deiner in extended minutes and Jack is not worth the contract Toronto extended.
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#19 » by Dunthreevy » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:49 pm

Charcoal Filtered wrote:Surprised OKC could not find a trade partner and am happy he is a Pacer. The one year contract is the best part. It would have been awful to have to see Deiner in extended minutes and Jack is not worth the contract Toronto extended.


I feel the same. By all accounts, he'll be a tremendous upgrade over Diener defensively, and is pretty adept at creating for his teammates as well. He shot at an abysmal rate last year, but like I said before that's not what we need him to do here. The fact that we got him on a 1 year contract is great. If he plays well enough, we re-sign him at the end of the season and let Diener walk (replacing him as the 3rd PG with AJ Price). I may be wrong, but isn't Diener's contract for this coming season $3.4 mill?
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Re: Pacers Sign Earl Watson 

Post#20 » by freeman » Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:24 pm

I'm just thinking.. signing Watson would give us 4 pg's. It may be possible to send Price to the D-League for a year, and it may also be possible that Diener could be on the trading block, well as a filler. Could he be a part of the rumored IND-BOS trade?
Bird seems to like Price a lot, he believes Price is a steal at the 2nd round.
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