He was part of the wagon train of “role players” whose signings with the Suns were announced at the same time. In the case of Yuta Watanabethis arrival in Arizona is linked to the desire to Kevin Durant.
“ He messaged me to say he wanted to play with me again. It means a lot to me. When someone like Kevin Durant reaches out to me and says things like that, it means a lot », testifies the Japanese, interviewed by Sportskeeda.
Before wearing the Suns jersey, the two men wore the Nets jersey together. It was there, in Brooklyn, that the Yokohama native was most exposed, after his first four seasons between the Grizzlies and the Raptors. He shot more than 44% from 3-point range, his best career percentage.
With a greater volume of shots, the 29-year-old would have flirted with the Top 3 of the most skillful players in the league in the field. Enough to push Kevin Durant to make eyes at him.
Not just a catch-and-shooter
Play with him? “ It’s nice. He’s a great guy and a great teammate. I love playing with him. He’s a great guy and, of course, a great player. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen in training and in a match. One thing I really like about him is that when his teammate does something big, he’s always enthusiastic. », Describes Yuta Watanabe, who has already been able to realize this with the Nets.
In Phoenix, where he has had the most playing time of his career so far (20 minutes), he has essentially the same role as in New York. Even if Frank Vogel doesn’t just see him as a “catch-and-shoot” specialist.
“ I really appreciate him saying that. Being a 3-point shooter helps me off the dribble because they have to come out on me. I always try not to hold the ball too long “, describes the left-hander, who explains wanting “ keep it simple ”, but also do better in creating for others.
He considers creating and attacking the circle to be ” one of its weaknesses “. “ If I can improve in these two areas, the defense will be really disrupted », judges the Japanese, who has been fishing by his skill since the start of the season (41% including 35% from a distance), but does not intend to stop shooting.
| Yuta Watanabe | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | SAME | 15 | 12 | 29.4 | 12.5 | 70.0 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 18 | 6 | 44.1 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.0 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 50 | 15 | 43.9 | 40.0 | 82.8 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 4.4 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 38 | 12 | 40.6 | 34.2 | 60.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 4.3 |
| 2022-23 | BRK | 58 | 16 | 49.1 | 44.4 | 72.3 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 5.6 |
| 2023-24 | PHX | 4 | 18 | 45.5 | 43.8 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 7.3 |
| Total | 183 | 13 | 44.0 | 39.2 | 69.1 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 4.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
