When Yuta Watanabe shoots well, he is an important element for the Suns. He talked up to ClutchPoints about his season.
Yuta Watanabe is a Japanese basketball player who recently signed with the Phoenix Suns.
Watanabe is in his sixth NBA season and is reconnecting with Kevin Durant, with whom he played for 26 games before Durant was traded to the Suns.
Yuta Watanabe recently spoke with ClutchPoints about his shooting slump, which has kept him out of the rotation, as well as his admiration for fans, Durant, and his colleagues, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
“I pretty much said what I [wanted to say,” Yuta Watanabe says. I just wanna echo that I really appreciate this organization for staying with me, the way I’ve been performing on the court, I know I’m disappointing a lot of guys. But, as I previously stated, my teammates and coaching staff are always talking to me and telling me that they are behind me and believe in me.
“I really appreciate that type of communication. I just got to be better. I know I can be better, so that’s the frustration…I’m not making excuses or anything…”
Booth: Without a doubt. What are your opinions on Kevin’s year so far? He’s shooting [47.7 percent] from three-point range (leading the NBA)?] What kind of deal is that?
Watanabe: “Yeah (laughs)…Watching him every day, every night, I’m always grateful that I can watch him as my teammate. What he does in the game, but also in practice, I believe he never takes for granted. He always comes in, works incredibly hard, improves on his game, and he’s 36 years old and still putting up those numbers. That’s quite impressive. I have a lot of things to learn from him, so I’m extremely thankful to have him as my teammate.”