Earl Watson on Developing Bucks' Young Talent, Rookie Booker & Rollins' Role (Hear District Ep. 93)

13-year NBA vet and former head coach Earl Watson joins Kris and Marques Johnson on Hear District to discuss NBA coaching philosophies, the Bucks’ use of Zone Defense, the development of Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., their shared UCLA roots, and how lessons from the Johnson family helped shape Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker’s rise. They revisit their first connection at UCLA in the late 90s, recalling battles for playing time, brotherhood, Kris’ elite footwork, and the influence of John Wooden. Earl reflects on mentoring a young Devin Booker in Phoenix, using Kris’ footwork to teach NBA pacing and decision-making. He details rejecting a proposed Booker–Jimmy Butler trade, Booker’s 70-point game in Boston, and memorable Robert Sarver moments. The conversation turns to Milwaukee’s role players, the upside of Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr.’s playmaking, Doc Rivers’ approach to Zone Defense, and how young guards grow when coaches “teach the why.” Earl also shares insights from coaching Pascal Siakam in Toronto, connecting with the next generation, and lessons learned from Hubie Brown, Jerry Sloan, and the Spurs system. 0:00 — Intro 3:21 — UCLA Ties 11:18 — Devin Booker & Phoenix 23:40 — Coaching Insights 38:34 — Bucks & Hoop Insights Subscribe to the Hear District podcast to enjoy the biggest names in basketball sounding off on your favorite team. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hear-district/id1733360203 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WI3L2MP4ZgSjWwXqxvK58 For more, follow @bucksplusaudio — the official podcast network of the Milwaukee Bucks — on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook, and check out all Bucks+ podcast content at www.bucks.com/plus. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bucksplusaudio/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bucksplusaudio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bucksplusaudio TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bucksplusaudio SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/BucksYTSub All-Access: Welcome to Milwaukee - https://youtu.be/-CvqyrKHgtU All-Access: Tipoff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oXtBK6JXDE NBA Finals All-Access: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrkYUe261zvdsraTw4w6fHGs5qXqFl7p0 All-Access: Bucks Meet Neymar & Mbappe - https://youtu.be/eY_Pfgx6sDE All-Access: Bucks Travel To Paris, Visit PSG & More - https://youtu.be/Wbmmn4D8Z8w Get highlights on-demand, watch games LIVE and get full stats in our FREE app for iOS and Android. Download: http://Bucks.com/App Connect with the Bucks: Facebook: http://facebook.com/bucks Twitter: http://twitter.com/bucks Instagram: http://instagram.com/bucks #nba #milwaukeebucks #milwaukee #bucks #fearthedeer #greekfreak #giannis #MylesTurner #CreamCity #414 #Buckinsix #fyp #MarkSears #JerichoSims #GaryTrent Jr. #KevinPorter Jr. #AmirCoffey #BobbyPortis #GaryHarris #TaureanPrince #RyanRollins #JamareeBouyea #KyleKuzma #AJGreen #TylerSmith #BogoljubMarković #ChrisLivingston #ColeAnthony #MylesTurner #GiannisAntetokounmpo #PeteNance #AndreJackson Jr. #Doc Rivers