Point guard Earl Watson played only one season in Seattle, but it was an eventful one. In the time from training camp in October to the playoffs in May, Watson went from a second-round draft pick who wasn’t even certain to make the team to Gary Payton’s backup and a potential successor to the Sonics All-Star. Along the way, Watson won over many of the KeyArena faithful, becoming a fan favorite.

Nevertheless, Watson signed with the Memphis Grizzlies this summer as a restricted free agent, hoping that the young Grizzlies roster would give him more playing time than he would get behind Payton.

Watson is doing a better job of setting up his teammates this season. Victor Baldizon/NBAE

So far, that hasn’t been the case. With veterans Jason Williams and Brevin Knight entrenched for Memphis at the point guard position, Watson’s role in the short-term is unclear. Because the Grizzlies have been beset with injuries in the backcourt, losing first Knight, then later Williams and shooting guard Wesley Person, Watson has been a part of the rotation most of the season. With Person now recovered from a broken finger, however, Watson will likely find himself sitting, watching and learning. Person returned last Friday when the Grizzlies played the Sonics, and Watson played just six minutes.

“That’s probably the toughest thing with it right now,” Watson says of his minutes. “Coming into the season, it’s not what I expected.” Coach Hubie Brown, who took over after eight games and has nearly turned the Grizzlies into a .500 ballclub since his arrival, sees things differently. “Any time that you join a team that has two established point guards in Williams and Knight,” Brown explains, “unless there was a trade - or talk of a trade - you gotta realize you’re coming in and you’ve got a tough fight for minutes.”

Playing for a team which few expected would make the playoffs has also been a difficult adjustment for Watson, who played on four NCAA Tournament teams at UCLA before making the playoffs last season with the Sonics. “I hate losing,” Watson states emphatically. “Simple as that.”

Instead of getting down on himself or his team because of his situation, Watson continues plugging away, trying to improve his skills. Recently, he’s been spending additional time shooting pre-game in an attempt to hone his shot. Watson breaks it down simply, saying, “I’m going to continue to get better no matter what, regardless. So eventually, when things do happen, things tend to go my way, I’ll be ready.” Brown agrees, noting that his young point guard is “getting better and better every day.”

Watson praises Sonics guard Gary Payton for aiding his development. Jeff Reinking/NBAE

That improvement process started last season playing under Coach Nate McMillan, who played with a similar style to Watson’s during his 12-year career, and with Payton. Watson speaks glowingly of the Seattle organization’s ability to develop point guards. “One thing I know about the team is that it’s like a point guard camp,” he says. “Every point guard that plays here moves on and does great. Eric Snow, Moochie Norris, every point, you just go down the list. Forever. It’s obviously a credit to the Seattle SuperSonics coaching staff, the organization and Gary Payton.” When asked what he learned from Payton, Watson laughs slightly and replies, “A lot. Too much.”

Why, then, was Watson willing to leave the Sonics after just one season? He says, “There were a lot of things that went into it.” Playing opportunity was a major concern, especially with the team mulling at the time the trade eventually made with Boston that brought the Sonics Kenny Anderson, filling Watson’s spot behind Payton. As well, Memphis is closer to Watson’s hometown of Kansas City, giving family and friends a chance to watch him play regularly. Watson was also disappointed with how his season ended. Despite playing 964 minutes, he was left off the playoff roster in favor of Shammond Williams and Randy Livingston. “I felt like I helped the team get there, even if it wasn’t a lot, and I just wanted to be rewarded,” Watson recalls, terming the time “tough”.

While minutes have been limited this season, Watson has demonstrated his improvement when he’s gotten the chance. Seeing nearly the same number of minutes per game, Watson has improved his assists per game from 2.0 to 2.9 and his rebounds per game from 1.3 to 1.9. He is also shooting better, making 46.5% of his shots and 74.2% of his free throws, up from 45.3% and 63.9% a year ago. When Williams was out earlier this season, Watson was very effective playing starter’s minutes, scoring a career- and team-high 17 points in the first Memphis win of the season on Nov. 23.

The improvement leads Watson to believe he’s got a bright future in front of him. In five years, he sees himself, “Definitely starting. Hopefully coming just close enough to what Gary’s putting up.” Memphis onlookers agree. “Now Earl has got a great future with us,” Brown says. “He’s a tough kid. He’s our kind of player.” Grizzles television broadcaster Hersey Hawkins, a former Sonics guard, is impressed with Watson off the court. “He’s a lot more mature than a second-year player,” Hawkins says. “Very quiet about his job, but you know what you’re going to get out of him every night. I think as a coach, to have that feeling out of a young guy, it’s unusual, and that’s what Earl gives you.”