Report: Suns felt Watson didn't hold them accountable for mistakes

The Phoenix Suns have a youthful, relatively inexperienced, and perhaps immature core that's prone to lapses. That's why they needed a head coach who would be stern and show them the error of their ways when applicable.

Earl Watson just wasn't that guy, it seems.

Players on the Suns began to notice that Watson was letting them stay on the floor after making numerous mistakes far too often, leaving them to wonder if there was any accountability, sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe.

Interim coach Jay Triano appears to be taking the complete opposite approach, holding players more accountable across the board, and not tolerating a lack of effort. Marquese Chriss, for example, was clearly unhappy during the team's opening three games, as his lack of touches on offense resulted in a lackadaisical return on defense.

"When you don't play with energy, you are going to come out," Triano said. "And when he (Marquese) pouts, we are going to take him out and refocus him. He is going to be a great player. He just has to play the right way."

Watson was canned after just three games, two of which were blowout losses by a combined 90 points. Since Triano took over the role, Phoenix has a record of 4-5 with big wins over the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.