Watson Wants to Pattern Suns After Spurs’ Program

(Suns’ Earl) Watson’s repeated use of “pounding the rock,” a long-lasting San Antonio Spurs mantra, is no slip of the tongue or mistaken mention. Social reformer Jacob Riis’ classic quote about a stonecutter’s diligence is entrenched in the Spurs culture, which Watson intentionally chose as his first coaching destination last season when he assisted their D-League affiliate in Austin.

“I love what they do in San Antonio,” Watson said. “I want to mirror our program off what they do but make it our own. We’re not trying to create a tradition. We’re trying to uphold a tradition that’s here. We understand that Phoenix is cornerstone of the NBA. It’s time for these players to play for the name on the front, not the back.”

Source: Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic